El Parc d'Artilleria, Peñíscola

From Plaza Armas in front of the castle of Papa Luna, c headed down Santos Martires, which leads to the northern tip of the island. Here is the so-called Artillery Park.

This is the most powerful system of bastions of the fortress, including artillery batteries Santa Maria, Oblivion, Santiago, San Fernando, Calvario, they kept under fire the northern beach (Playa Norte) and the sandy isthmus connecting the fortress with the land. Now this part of the fortress has been turned into a public space where palm trees, olives and other plants are planted.

The fortifications were built at the end of the 16th century on the instructions of King Felipe II, and the famous Italian fortifier Juan Bautista Antonelli supervised the construction of the batteries. The bastions include both upper wide platforms, where it was possible to quickly move guns for firing in different directions, and casemates with powerful arches that protected artillery supplies from enemy fire.

Along the upper tier of artillery platforms to the church of San Maria goes Calle Olvido, where hotels and apartments are located with the best views of the northern fortifications, isthmus and beaches.

One of the houses has such a strange entrance. Apparently, there used to be a staircase here, but for some reason it was removed.