Peñíscola

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Castellón province

Peñíscola (Peníscola in Valencian) is a Valencian municipality located on the Costa del Azahar along the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain in the province of Castellón. It is presently a tourist destination for Northern Europeans in search of some sun.

[edit] History

Peñíscola, often called the Gibraltar of Valencia, is a fortified seaport, with a lighthouse, built on a rocky headland about 220 feet (67 m) high, and joined to the mainland by only a narrow strip of land. Originally a Moorish stronghold, it was captured in 1233 by James I of Aragon, who entrusted it to the Knights Templar. In the 14th century it was garrisoned by the Knights of Montesa, and in 1420 it reverted to the Crown. From 1415 it was the home of the schismatic pope Benedict XIII, (Pedro de Luna), whose name is commemorated in the Bufador de Papa Luna, a curious cavern with a landward entrance through which the sea-water escapes in clouds of spray.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

This article about a location in the Valencian Community (Spain) is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

edit	Municipalities of Baix Maestrat
Alcalà de Xivert \| Benicarló \| Càlig \| Canet lo Roig \| Castell de Cabres \| Cervera del Maestre \| La Jana \| Peñíscola \| La Pobla de Benifassà \| Rossell \| La Salzadella \| San Rafael del Río \| Sant Jordi/San Jorge \| Sant Mateu \| Santa Magdalena de Pulpis \| Traiguera \| Vinaròs \| Xert/Chert