Portal de San José
A narrow gateway cut into the living rock and fortified in the Middle Ages, the only entrance to the walled old town atop the crag. On its inner side, above the arch, a tiled picture of Saint Joseph (San José) survives and gives the gate its name. Passing through it is literally stepping into medieval Guadalest, wedged between castle and rock.
To enter medieval Guadalest you have to pass through a single gate cut into the living rock: the Portal de San José. It is the only way into the walled old town of Guadalest, high on the crag, and it was already fortified in the Middle Ages. With a single opening in the wall, the gate was easy to defend: shut it and the upper village was sealed off.
The detail behind the name
Above the arch, on its inner face, a tiled picture of Saint Joseph (San José) survives, and that is what gives the gate its name. It is the kind of detail easy to miss if you walk in too quickly.
For your visit
- The passage is narrow, so it backs up in high season.
- It sits right on the way to the Castillo de San José and the Casa Orduña.
- Stepping through it is literally entering the village wedged between castle and rock.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a charge to pass through the Portal de San José?
No, passing through it is free. It is the only gateway into the walled old town.
Why is it called the Portal de San José?
Above the arch, on its inner face, there is a tiled picture of Saint Joseph (San José), which gives the gate its name.
Where is the Portal de San José?
It is cut into the bare rock, high on the crag, right on the path to San José Castle and Casa Orduña; the passage is narrow and queues form in high season.
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