Castell del Moro

Castell del Moro, or 'Castell dels Moros,' stands in the sierra of Les Fontanelles 1.5 kilometers from Villalonga in Valencia, a Muslim fortress of significant historical importance. The castle was conquered by King James I of Aragon in 1259, who described it as 'a castle of great and strong rocks.' Its ownership passed through notable families including Joan Llançol and the Borja family—notably Berenguer Rodrigo de Borja, who became Pope Alexander VI—before being ceded by King Felipe III to Carlos Borja in 1621. The fortress features an irregular rocky plan with two concentric enclosures spanning approximately 90 meters long and 40 meters wide, with the eastern side backed by a 30-meter cliff and the western side adapted to a ravine with tiered defensive barriers. Now designated as a Cultural Heritage Property, the castle remains privately owned, representing an important link to Valencia's medieval and papal history.