Castle of Orihuela, Medieval fortress on Monte de San Miguel in Orihuela, Spain.
The Castle of Orihuela is a medieval fortress built on a hilltop above the city with seven circular defensive towers and preserved walls. The ruins sit about 240 meters above the valley floor and offer broad views of the surrounding landscape from the top.
The fortress was founded in 713 and kept its strategic importance across centuries in the region. A lightning strike in the 18th century damaged the structure so badly that it was never fully rebuilt.
The castle carries an Arabic name that reflects centuries of cultural exchange in the region. You can see this shared heritage through the different building techniques visible in the remaining structures.
The walk up to the castle starts near a seminary building at the base where you can leave your car. The marked path takes some time to climb, so allow plenty of time for the uphill walk.
During the War of the Two Peters, the fortress held out for twelve years under siege before supplies finally ran out. This rare endurance shows how important the position was to both sides.
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