El Castell
Today's Benidorm has its origin in Punta Canfali, where after the first Town Charter, granted in 1325 by Admiral Bernat de Sarrià, a walled fortification and the town were erected. The archaeological intervention carried out in 2019 has made it possible to bring to light the remains of the Castell and verify that the construction was active from the 14th to the 19th century, when it was practically devastated during the French War. Based on the archaeological remains recovered, it is known that the Castell had a wall, a courtyard and a cistern, and that a moat and towers capable of housing artillery pieces were later incorporated into the construction. This artillery and the reinforcement of the original wall were fundamental to protect the population from the frequent attacks by corsairs.
The General Archive of Simancas - Modern War Section, File 253 - preserves documentation related to the Castell and its defensive role
[...] Situado sobre peña cortada. Islado de Mar, logra sólo el paso de tierra para la comunicación de Castillo y Villa que se compone de quarenta vecinos con poca diferencia. Existen en el citado castillo tres cañones de fierro iguales; el uno inútil por haverse rebentado de poco tiempo a esta parte; existen de servicio 2, con calibre de cañones y valas 12 y 24 y 3 cureñas de campaña. Puede recibir este fuerte quatro cañones. [..] Domina a su frente la isla de Benidorm, a la que mucho frecuentan los Corsarios de Argel; se refugian al referido castillo las embarcaciones por tempestad, u temporales, o fuga de los enemigos".
Part of the remains found during the archaeological intervention have been left on view. This is the case of the late medieval wall of Levante and Poniente, a flight of stairs from the 18th century that allowed access to the upper floor of the castle, the closing wall, part of the moat and one of the walls of Levante tower. In addition, the pavement of the square has been arranged in such a way that it marks the structure of the castle in modern times (18th century), which allows the visitor to recreate what the fortification and town of Benidorm was like.
Apart from its historical importance, the Castell is undoubtedly an icon of the city, and for the population of Benidorm a reference point from which the entire bay can be seen.
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