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.