Castle of Olocau del Rey

Castillo de Olcaf en Olocau, Castellón / ALC.
Ubicación:

Alto del Castillo is on the top of a hill. You can reach the top after a short but steep climb of 500 metres Olocau del Rey

Visitar web E-mail

This fortress, which was built by Muslims in the 10th and 11th, is now in ruins. It is situated on the top of a hill, offering breathtaking views of the town and of the region of Els Ports.

The castle, which rests on an irregular base, is adapted to the shape of the hill and has two separate enclosures: the ruins of the prismatic tower and the well and the main tower. The hilltop was used as a quarry, which is why the remains mix with the rocks. It is, however, possible to see the traces of the walls and of the tower bases.

Perched on a hill at a height of 1,200 metres, the castle is on a strategic location. According to Historia Roderici, the historical El Cid took the castle, where, following the orders of the kingdom of Zaragoza, he remained from 1088 to 1090 in order to control the area. It seems that winter time was harsh.

There are scholars that argue that Olocau is “the port of Alucant”, which is mentioned in El Cantar de Mío Cid as being the place where El Cid camped after the Battle of the Pinar de Tévar.

Rev. PAB 27.12.18