Peñíscola Lighthouse

The eastern part of the island is a rock with a height of 64 meters, which dominates the terrain. Naturally, it was here in the 1-2 century AD that the Romans founded a fortification, then they were replaced by the Arabs, and finally, in the 13th century, the Knights Templar built a castle here.

In 1899, an 11-meter-high lighthouse (Faro de Peñíscola) was built in front of the main entrance to the fortress, with a paraffin lamp that could be seen from 14 miles away.

In 1920, the optics were repaired and an oil lamp was installed, and in 1929 the lighthouse received an electric light source. The last reconstruction of the lighthouse took place in 1970, as a result of which its light can be seen for 23 miles.

In case of a power failure, a backup diesel generator was installed, and in emergency mode, the light of the lighthouse is visible at a distance of 12 miles.

The lighthouse is recognized as a cultural heritage site. The lighthouse keeper's building now seems to be empty.

The lighthouse is located on the former artillery site of the Corner Battery (Bateria del Terraplen o Rincon). Below is the bastion of the New Battery (Bateria Nueva o del Barber). The narrow Jaume Sanz street with many souvenir shops and cafes also starts here.

If you look over the parapet, you can see the impregnable rocks where lone cormorants clean their feathers.

To the right of the lighthouse is a square with a monument to the disgraced Pope Benedict XIII, who lived in the castle for a long time after his exile.