Valencia, Spain - Sagunto Castle

 

From the Roman amphitheatre we continued up, up, up.

Getting gradually closer to the castle.

 Once inside there was a new looking visitors centre with a movie in 4 different languages, some artifacts and a washroom. It was a huge castle to explore so

Rick and Gord set out for the part that was further up (I had had enough "up" at that point)

 

and I set off in the opposite direction.

There was a building with stuff that needed some protection. Grave stones, pillars with inscriptions.

The castle had started out as a Roman fortification and that was were I was headed. Each time it was taken over by a new invader they built a new addition, in a different style, gradually expanding it to cover the whole hilltop.

There wasn't a lot of signage but there were few that were there were in three languages.

On many of the walls you could see the different building styles.

The walls at the east end had fabulous views. That was the whole point, the castle controlled the roads below and could see invaders coming.

Looking towards Canet (that white building is between Canet beach and the village).

There was a small temple (perhaps a reconstruction) and low walls, cisterns and bottoms of pillars that designated the Roman forum.

I sat in the forum and sketched this Moorish gate while waiting for Rick and Gord.

Out the exit

Then down,

down,

down until

we found a little restaurant opposite this creepy statue. It is of the costume worn during the Semana Santa parades.

I had two tapas (fried mushrooms and grilled prawns). Rick and Gord, who have embraced Spanish cuisine (NOT) both ordered a hamburguesa. They were surprised when it came with a fried egg on it as well as everything you would expect.

Paella in the kitchen. The chef told me off for taking a picture without asking permission. Lo siento.

 

We all groaned when getting up, sore legs from all that

up

up.

Back to the car and home for a hot bath.

Valencia, Spain - on the way to Sagunto Castle

 I decided to rent a car for a week, that's how long Gord will be here and I wanted to see some places without having to deal with sporadic bus schedules.

We drove about 20 minutes on open roads with roundabouts and lined by orange orchards before having to deal with the narrow streets of Sagunto.

 

Behind the church we found a museum and got directions to the castle; "turn right then up, up up."

I will have to come back to this museum but today the destination was the castle.

The old town has meandering narrow streets that open into small squares.

I spotted this little chapel up a side street and as the door was invitingly open, had to investigate. The Hermitage of the Most Pure Blood. 

Blue ceramic tile dome and ceiling paintings inside. There was a young man just inside the door who was there to answer questions and we had lots:

The interior was full of the religious floats, pasos, that are used during Santa Semana parades. 

There was also a display of the hand embroidered belts made for the same event.

Gold thread.

We continued up, up, up.

Until we got too

the renovated Roman Amphitheatre.

It is used for live performances now

with parts of the original in evidence.

Valencia, Spain - leisurely walk

 After the long walk to Segunto market we took it easy the next day. Just a short walk and Rick also walked to the grocery store.

We walked north up the coast.

 

A walk I had done a couple of times before,

but Rick had not.

We saw this strange looking bottle shaped tree with spikes coming out of the trunk, in a couple of yards,

with fruit that look like avocados.

On looking it up, I found it was a Silk Floss Tree, native to South America but grown around the Mediterranean as a decorative tree. 

 

Our gourmet dinner dessert, strawberry and nutella crepes.

Gord arrived late, after a few days in England , but still a bit jet lagged.

Finally Rasta photos: