Castell de Guadalest
Castillo de Guadalest is a fortification on a high rocky hill above a small village in Alicante province. The settlement has two sections: the upper town around the castle on the hilltop and the arrabal district spread across the valley below.
San José Castle was built in the 11th century as a strategic stronghold. The structure was later damaged by two earthquakes and demolition work, but its remaining walls still reflect the medieval importance of the site.
The name Guadalest comes from Arabic and means "river of waters". Today you can see how the narrow, steep streets shape daily life and lead visitors past small shops and traditional restaurants serving simple, homemade dishes.
Access to the castle is from the main village square via a path that leads through a tunnel carved into the rock. The steep, cobbled streets require sturdy footwear, and exploring the multilevel structures takes time and patience.
A tunnel carved into the rock connects the village square to the castle, offering a singular experience that feels like stepping through time. This narrow passage gives a genuine sense of how medieval defenses worked and how the castle was accessed.
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