Peniscola Castle, officially the Templar-Pontifical Castle, is a remarkable medieval fortress built by the Knights Templar between 1294 and 1307 on a rocky headland overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The castle's architecture reflects diverse historical influences including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, standing prominently on a coastal promontory commanding strategic views of the surrounding area. During the Western Schism, the castle served as the residence of Antipope Benedict XIII, known as Papa Luna, from 1411 to 1423, who strengthened fortifications and constructed a papal palace featuring a notable library. Today the fortress remains a significant symbol of medieval religious and military history in Spain's Valencia region.
