Almonesir Castle

• Interesting facts
  
  • Territory: Vall de Almonacid, bordering Algimia de Almonacid's.
    
  • Region: Alto Palancia (Comunidad Valenciana).
    
  • Situation: It's situated on top of a hill, close to the Chico river, tributary of the Palancia, which crosses the Almonecir Valley.
    Due to its geographical situation, one can enjoy a marvelous view of the valley below from Collado de la Nevera to Segorbe.
    One can also see JÈrica Castle, Alf·ndiga Tower and Casa AbadÌa's Tower.
    
  • Altitude: 577 m. above the sea level.
    
  • Coordinates: 39† 54' 40" lat. N. i 0† 27' long. E.
    
  • Look at the Map of the zone
  
  
  
• Access
  One needs to take the road from Segorbe to Algimia de Almonacid.
  As one reaches the village of La Vall de Almonacid, take the first street on the right, which goes to the swimming-pool and the river.
  Go on, past La Palanca restaurant and take the path on the left untill one reaches la "Fuente Larga". This fountain can easily be recognized as it is beside a house with palm trees, below the road level.
  From this point one needs to walk 100 m. more or less untill one comes upon a path (pay atention to a sign marked on a stone). Then one needs to walk for another 15 minutes to reach the castle.
  
  
  
• History
  Its name comes from the Muslim period. It's derived from Latin Monasteriu with the prefix al (Al-Monasteriu, Al-Monestir, Al-Monesir, Al-Monecir). No other Muslim artefacts have been found on the castle grounds.
  
  King Jaume I gave the castle and lands to the bishop of Barcelona, Berenguer de Palou on the 22^nd of May of 1238. The castle had had different owners, untill it was given to Sanxa Ferrandis, who was the lord of Segorbe's wife. In 1437 the castle was sold to Vidal de Castellý, and its military functions were reduced.
  
  When the Muslims were expelled from these lands they became uninhabited and in May 1610 Pere XimÈn d'Žrrea brought 65 families from AragÛn to live in this area.
  
  
  
• Actual situation
  The castle was abandoned for some centuries and as a result it's almost in ruins. Although since the foundation of the Almonecir Castle Cultural Association , some works have been done on the Tower and cistern as well as some general cleaning.
  The Homage Tower is especially interesting. It has four floors and is situated in the entrance to the grounds. The Castle is divided in two parts with remains of part of the exterior walls and a Tower. The cistern has been completely restored. It has an irregular form taking this form from the land that it occupies .