Castillo de la Alcozaiba
An old 11th-century Muslim fortress raised on the Peñón de la Alcalá, beside the grounds of the Casa Orduña and distinct from the Castillo de San José that crowns the summit. Only a ruined tower survives, a relic of Guadalest's first defensive core, levelled like the rest by the earthquakes and the 1708 explosion. Its silhouette on the rock, seen from the village, is one of Guadalest's most photographed profiles.
Not everyone tells the two castles of Guadalest apart. The Castillo de la Alcozaiba is the first and older of them: an 11th-century Muslim fortress raised on the Peñón de la Alcalá, beside what is now the Casa Orduña, and quite separate from the Castillo de San José that crowns the summit.
What is left
Only a ruined tower remains today of that first defensive core of Guadalest. It was brought down by the same 17th- and 18th-century earthquakes and the 1708 explosion that flattened the rest of the village's defences.
Why it is worth a look
Though little survives, its outline against the rock is one of the most photographed profiles in the village. It reads well from below, and the visit is free. To fit it into a wider route, see the day trips from Valencia.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to see Alcozaiba Castle?
No, the visit is free. Its silhouette on the rock is clearly seen from below, in the village.
How does it differ from Guadalest's other castles?
It is the first and oldest: an 11th-century Muslim fortress on the Alcalá crag, next to Casa Orduña, distinct from San José Castle that crowns the summit.
What survives of Alcozaiba Castle?
Only a ruined tower remains, brought down by the 17th- and 18th-century earthquakes and the 1708 explosion; even so, its outline is one of the most photographed in the village.
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