Cullera Castle, a monument and tourist attraction in Valencia

Cullera Castle (Castell de Cullera) is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating attractions of the city, apart from the beautiful sandy beaches that stretch for kilometres along the entire coast.

Relaxing on the beach is a great pleasure, especially since the waters of the Valencia region are considered some of the cleanest in this part of Spain. Moreover, the pleasant and mild climate with a constant temperature makes Cullera a very popular resort, eagerly visited by tourists from all over Europe and the world.

However, even the most beautiful beaches, turquoise water, and sun can eventually become boring to anyone. I don’t know about you, but then I look for monuments and interesting places in the area to diversify my leisure time. In Cullera, such a place is the Castle Castell de Cullera, standing atop the hill overlooking the city. Cullera Castle is also a kind of landmark, as it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

In the article below, I will briefly tell you the history of the Cullera Castle and give some advice on visiting, tickets, as well as tell you how to get there. As always, there will be no shortage of interesting facts related to the old fortress.

Cullera Castle and its interesting history

Cullera Castle is a gorgeous and majestic monument, and its history begins in the distant past, when the Romans, with their unbeatable army and excellent engineers, reached the coast of present-day Valencia. Rome was renowned for its ability to build fortresses and fortifications, exemplified by the foundations of Cullera Castle, on which today’s majestic structure stands.

Nearly a thousand years after the Romans, on the sunny and tranquil beaches of Valencia, came another foreign army, this time Muslims from South Africa. This event marked the beginning of a centuries-long period of Arab rule on the Iberian Peninsula.

The ruins of the old Roman fortress were dismantled, and on its foundations arose a new, powerful castle symbolizing the ruling caliphate. The castle was built with defence and control of natural resources, conquered territories, and trade routes in mind.

In the Castle of Cullera, the Muslims introduced many modern architectural solutions for those times. They built defensive walls with numerous towers and dug tunnels, which allowed access to the fortress even during sieges. Additionally, a network of roads and paths was created along which caravans travelled.

New villages, as well as fields and orchards, appeared throughout the coastal areas. An example is the palm grove in Elche, which was established by Muslim settlers.

As is often the case in history, nothing lasts forever. In the 13th century, the dark period of the Reconquista began, a more than two-hundred-year struggle of Christians against Muslims aimed at driving the latter out of the Iberian Peninsula.

After the fortress was captured by the forces of King James I, it was partially dismantled and rebuilt in a Christian fashion, following European military doctrine. Once again, the castle was surrounded by high walls extending far along the road leading to the city, and in its central part, a Gothic chapel of the Virgin Mary was built. Numerous towers and defensive positions ensured the safety of the fortress, and troops stationed in camps on the beaches provided additional security. All these precautions meant that the Castle in Cullera was never captured again, except for the takeover of the city by pirates in 1550.

In the subsequent centuries, the castle served as a residence for Aragonese monarchs, who visited it during their stays in the city. Over the centuries, the building was often renovated, adapting its shapes and functions to the requirements and architectural trends of the time. The last major renovation took place in the 19th century. At that time, the remains of the defensive walls and fortifications were dismantled, and the Santuario de la Virgen del Castillo, a neo-Romanesque building, was added. In my opinion, this addition doesn’t entirely fit the character and history of the castle, but that’s just my observation.

Cullera Castle fortress tour

Cullera Castle is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Valencia region, right alongside the Castle of Santa Barbara in Alicante. Both fortresses share another common feature: the incredible views that stretch from their summits over the surrounding area.

It’s precisely the views from the hill on which the Castle in Cullera stands, as well as the panorama of the city and the Valencia coastline, that will stay with me for a long time. Believe me, the sight is breathtaking. You can walk for hours along the castle walls, gazing out at the diverse landscape. The numerous long sandy beaches, the entire city below, and the mouth of the Jucar River all look fantastic.

How to get to Cullera Castle

To reach Cullera Castle, you need to climb the hill, which is just over 200 meters high. However, on a hot day when the sun is at its zenith, the uphill march can be quite a challenge. But don’t worry, there’s a road leading to the castle that you can drive up. Beneath the castle, you’ll find a car park, which unfortunately isn’t very spacious, so during the peak season, I advise setting out early in the morning.

Personally, I recommend walking to the castle if your fitness and health allow it. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to pass through a part of the city called Pou. It’s the former Jewish quarter in Cullera. Essentially, it’s a separate village entirely different from the city below. The white houses and flower-filled gardens resemble one of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea, rather than a Spanish province. It looks fantastic and is worth the effort to reach.

On the way back, you don’t have to take the same route; you can opt for the asphalt road, which will give you a wholly different perspective of the castle. This road is a bit longer but very comfortable.

Time spent at Cullera Castle

When you arrive at the castle, whether by car or on foot, you’ll find yourself in a spacious courtyard, which is the perfect spot for a picnic as there are trees providing pleasant shade. Remember to bring along provisions and plenty of water. While there is a restaurant at the castle, it can often be crowded, and you won’t want to spend hours waiting to place your order and then waiting again to pay the bill. A picnic on a bench overlooking the city below and the blue coastline is a much better idea.

To start exploring the Cullera Castle, you’ll need to purchase a ticket, which costs just a few cents. I don’t quite remember, but I think it was around 2 or 3 euros. Furthermore, if you’re in the company of elderly or infirm individuals, you can purchase an additional ticket for a small elevator that will take you from the car park to the castle, which is situated a few meters higher.

The castle itself isn’t large, but it’s very pleasant and well-restored. Inside, you’ll find a spacious courtyard surrounded by walls and several buildings housing historical artefacts. The castle courtyard is a venue for numerous events, including classical music concerts, theatrical performances, and various cultural events in Cullera. Check the official castle website; you might come across an interesting concert. Unfortunately, we didn’t have such luck.

Castle Archaeological Museum

At Cullera Castle, there’s a small Archaeological Museum where you can see artefacts, everyday objects, and weapons from various periods of the castle’s history that were discovered during construction work. Unfortunately, most of the valuable findings ended up in large museums in Valencia and Alicante, but such is the fate of distant relics.

Exciting exhibits include stone decorations from the Roman and Arab periods. Among the artefacts, you’ll also find many mementos from early Christianity and later stages of the castle’s development. Everything is well-described and prepared. During your journey through the past, you’ll be assisted by an electronic guide, which can speak in several basic and popular languages.

While exploring the museum, don’t miss the opportunity to descend into the underground chambers, where you’ll see the fortress’s Roman-era foundations. It’s incredible that engineers almost two thousand years ago were able to build foundations upon which later cultures erected their castles. In my opinion, this speaks to the cultural and technical regression of subsequent generations, which focused on religion but forgot about science and development.

Cullera Castle practical information

• The Castle in Cullera is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, closing only during Christmas.
• Ticket prices for the castle in Cullera are symbolic. Admission costs 3 euros, with a discounted rate of half that amount.
• During summer, you can reach the castle by public transport departing from San Antonio Beach in downtown Cullera.
• An audio guide is available at the castle. Guided tours with a live guide are also possible, but you must arrange this in advance.
• Souvenirs are sold at the castle.
• For people with disabilities, there is a panoramic elevator from the car park to the castle.
• Castle address: Pujada Castell, s/n, 46400 Cullera, Valencia, Spain.

Cullera Castle information and interesting facts

• The Castle in Cullera belongs to the Spain Heritage Network organization.
• The origins of the castle date back to Roman times.
• The museum at the Castle in Cullera is one of many museums in the city that narrate the history of the region and the events that have taken place here over the centuries. Other museums worth visiting include:
  • The Rice Ethnographic Museum.
  • The Pirate Cave Museum, where pirates held hostages during the occupation of the city.
  • Torre de la Reina Mora.
  • Torre del Marenyet.
  • An air raid shelter from the Spanish Civil War located in the town square.
  • The Mareneta Tower, built for sea observation to warn of pirate attacks.
• The hills around the Castle in Cullera are a popular spot among birdwatchers. Due to its geographical location, mild climate, and environmental diversity surrounding Cullera, the area is a true enclave for many bird and animal species.
• Cullera will especially appeal to those who enjoy hiking, as it is a land full of contrasts, including lakes, rivers, sea, and mountains. Around the city, you’ll find many hiking and biking trails that will keep you occupied for weeks. The most popular and highly rated trails include:
  • The Blue Cam de Cullera trail running along the cliffs.
  • The Rice Route, which leads through orange groves and rice fields.
  • La Mota Path, which will take you to the Castle in Cullera.
  • The Jucar River Estuary trail, running through wetlands and the Estony floodplains, which is very picturesque and one of my favorites.
  • The Albacara del Castello trail, connecting all the restored defensive towers and fortifications in Cullera.
• Cullera is home to over 22,000 people. However, during vacations, the population can reach several hundred thousand.
• Cullera is located within the Natural Park Parc Natural de l’Albufera.
• From Cullera to Valencia, it’s 40 kilometres, and to Valencia Airport, it’s 56 kilometres.

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