Xativa Castle
The fortress of Xativa which is situated above the town of the same name about an hour inland from Valencia. The ancient settlement of Xativa was founded by the Iberians who prospered here and minted coinage before they were ousted first by the Romans and then by Hannibal's Carthaginians on their way to Rome. A Visigothic episcopal seat, the town was conquered by the Moors in the 10th century before being taken by Jaime 1 in 1244.
The town was eventually burnt in 1707 and was rebuilt but lost its political importance. The fortress, stretching along a ridge, dominates the town. It is actually two castles, one pre-Roman and one later, it's towered walls are still impressive and it is easy to see why it was considered to be one of the most secure sites in the region. The section known as the lower castle is the older, the majority of its surviving walls and towers built by the moors. It occupies the site of the Iberian, Roman and Carthaginian fortress and some sections of the stonework date from Roman times.
The Queen's Tower is said to be named after Hannibal's wife, Himilce, who gave birth to a son here. Apart from Hannibal the Roman general Scipio Africanus also occupied the castle during the second Punic War (218 - 209 B.C.)
The upper castle is much larger; a confusing succession of ancient gateways, crumbling courtyards, guardrooms and towers.