Castillo-Alcazaba de Orihuela

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Take a look around the ruins of Orihuela’s castle and town walls and discover the story of the destination during the Moorish period.

Monte de San Miguel in Orihuela is home to a Medieval castle and alcazaba that has borne witness to a great many events in this part of La Vega Baja.

Dating to before the Caliphate, the castle survived the centuries – undergoing a number of modifications – until the War of Spanish Succession. It was destroyed in 1709 and is now listed an Historic Ruin and a Site of Cultural Interest. As you wander around the ruins, you will be able to identify a number of different areas.

The highest part of the hill is occupied by the alcazaba, where political and military decisions were made. Below this, a line of towers demarcate the albacar, an area used for cattle and defence purposes. There are more towers around the seminary. A line of walls and turrets connect the alcazaba to the town walls.

Orihuela’s town walls extend from Monte San Miguel to the river Segura, encompassing what used to be the centre of the town. Some parts of the walls are currently unconnected. For instance, two towers at the end of Calle Torreta, Torre de Embergoñes, the Museo de la Muralla section and various towers that are located on the hill.

Though most of the castle was destroyed during wars and conflicts, its reputation of being “one of the strongest and most beautiful castles”, as Canciller Ayala put it, precedes it. Come and take a look around.

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