Peniscola | |
|---|---|
| Peníscola/Peñíscola | |
 Peniscola from the beach | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location of Peniscola | |
  Peniscola  Peniscola | |
| Coordinates:40°21′33″N0°24′27″E / 40.35917°N 0.40750°E /40.35917; 0.40750 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community | Valencian Community |
| Province | Castellón |
| Comarca | Baix Maestrat |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Andrés Martínez Castellà (PP) |
| Area | |
• Total | 79 km2 (31 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 46 m (151 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 8,496 |
| • Density | 110/km2 (280/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Peñíscolano, peñíscolanaPeniscolà, peniscolana |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Official language(s) | Spanish,Valencian |
| Website | Official website |
Peníscola (Valencian:[peˈniskola]) orPeñíscola (Spanish:[peˈɲiskola]) and officiallyPeníscola/Peñíscola,[2] anglicised asPeniscola, is amunicipality and resort town in theProvince of Castellón,Valencian Community,Spain. The town is located on theCosta del Azahar, north of theSerra d'Irta along theMediterranean coast. It is a popular tourist destination.
Peniscola, often called the "Gibraltar ofValencia", and locally as "The City in the Sea",[3] is a fortified seaport, with a lighthouse, built on a rocky headland about 220 feet (67 m) high, and joined to the mainland by only a narrow strip of land (tombolo).Peníscola is a local evolution of Latinpeninsula. The history of the place goes back to theIberians. Later the town becamePhoenician, namedTyreche, thenGreek, under the nameChersonesos (meaning "peninsula"). It was next captured by theCarthaginians underHamilcar Barca; legend has it that this is the place where he made his sonHannibal swear an oath that he would never be a friend of Rome.[4]
The present castle was built by theKnights Templar between 1294 and 1307.[5] In the fourteenth century it was garrisoned by theKnights of Montesa, and in 1420 it reverted to theCrown of Aragon. From 1415 to 1423 it was the home of the schismaticAvignon popeBenedict XIII (Pedro de Luna), whose name is commemorated in theCastell del Papa Luna, the name of the medieval castle, andBufador del Papa Luna, a curious cavern with a landward entrance through which the seawater escapes in clouds of spray.
The castle was originally built in 1307 by theKnights Templar and then in 1319 it was taken over by theOrder of Montesa, they then ceded the castle to theSupreme Pontiff.[6] The castle was also where theAntipope Benedict XIII lived from 1417 until his death in 1423.[7] In 1960 the castle was restored using apastiche[8] along with addition of new walls which were added forAnthony Mann's filmEl Cid which was partially filmed there. The town and castle of Peníscola played the role ofValencia. The castle is now a popular tourist attraction and the beaches and surrounding area are a popular family holiday resort.
Each summer, Peniscola hosts two music festivals: the International Festival of Ancient and Baroque Music (since 1996) and the International Jazz Festival of Peniscola (since 2004).[9][10] At the beginning of August, a pyromusical show opens the International Festival of Ancient and Baroque Music.[11]
Peniscola hosted an annual comedy film festival that draws Spanish and foreign actors and filmmakers, and features screenings in historic venues. That the festival celebrates comedy is a natural fit; the city was the backdrop forLuis García Berlanga's comedic masterpieceCalabuch.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Peñiscola".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 98.
Municipalities ofBaix Maestrat | ||
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