The castle of Cervera del Maestrat sits on a hilltop that has been occupied since ancient times. While the current ruins are medieval, the fortification was built between the 10th and 12th centuries, though the Almohads later reinforced the northern walls, adding a new tower and gate.
By 1233, the castle was a key defense in the northern Valencian region. It was captured by the hospitaliers, who held the territory until the early 14th century. When the order of the Temple was dissolved, the new order of Montesa took possession of the territory in 1317. The masters of the order resided in the castle for many years, and the building served as the headquarters for the archive until 1556.
In the late 16th century, the order of Montesa was incorporated into the crown, and the castle ceased to have a military or administrative function. By 1654, parts of the structure were already collapsed. For much of the following centuries, the land was used for growing cereals and legumes.
Today, the 7,500 square meter site was declared a Bé d'Interès Cultural in 2003. Visitors can see the silhouette of the ruins, which the municipality illuminated across the entire perimeter in 2004.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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