Sagunto Castle is located 23km north of Valencia within the Sierra Calderona mountains. Formerly known as ‘Arse’ by the Iberians, a name likely to bring a small smile to 99% of English speakers, it has a long history beginning with the Iberians in the early Iron Age. 

Marked by orange groves, desolate farmland and motorways, Sagunto offers itself as a peaceful cycle, which if taken in the morning, allows you to see the sun rise over the Mediterranean lighting up the farmhouses and the mountains that position themselves around Valencia. A steep climb up to the top is certainly worth it as the desolate fortress has an almost moon-like surface with views stretching for miles. Its unrestored state gives it a certain charm and allows one to feel closer to those that had inhabited it in the past.

After being taken from Hannibal by the Romans in 214BC, a temple was built on top of the hill. In the years under Islamic rule, the outer walls were constructed forming the majority of what you can see today and often being used to defend Valencia. Owing to Sagunto’s then large Jewish population, there also lies a cemetery beneath its walls which is visible from the outside.

Report by Sebastian Garraway 

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

‘Sagunto’ photos copyright Sebastian Garraway/ ’24/7 Valencia’

Castell Sagunto can be found at C/ del Castell, s/n, 46500 Sagunt, Valencia

Alternative ways to get to Sagunto from Valencia:
Frequent trains leave from Valencia Estación del Norte Station, taking approximately 30 minutes station to station.
L-115 bus from Valencia Central Bus Station.
Via car along V-21 motorway, exit V-23.