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Castle of Alcalá (Vall de Gallinera). Just I. Sellés
Diània, the Historic Region of Alicante with the Highest Density of Castles in the Peninsula

Diània, the Historic Region of Alicante with the Highest Density of Castles in the Peninsula

The writer Just I. Sellés compiles an exhaustive photographic record of fortifications in the north of the province in his latest book

Pau Sellés

Alicante

Sábado, 19 de octubre 2024, 07:25

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To the north of the Alicante river Montnegre lies a historic region named Diània. Its reach extends to the mountain massif south of the Xúquer river, corresponding to what geographers call a physiographic unit; that is, an area with common landscape and climatic characteristics.

One of the main features of this historic territory is its high density of castles and fortifications, possibly the highest in the entire Iberian Peninsula, as explained by the writer Just I. Sellés.

After 15 years of work, this author from Beniarrés has just published the work 'Diània. Terra de Castells', an exhaustive work that constitutes a record of one of the main architectural heritages in the north of Alicante and south of Valencia.

Up to 93 castles and fortifications are included in Just's work, reflected through dozens of photographs and different texts that help contextualize the history of each one. "The number is high, although it could be higher, close to 300, if all the towers, farmhouses, churches, or fortified settlements in the Diànic territory were included," explains the writer.

Castles of Castell de Castells (above), Pego (left), and Segaria (right). Just I. Sellés
Imagen principal - Castles of Castell de Castells (above), Pego (left), and Segaria (right).
Imagen secundaria 1 - Castles of Castell de Castells (above), Pego (left), and Segaria (right).
Imagen secundaria 2 - Castles of Castell de Castells (above), Pego (left), and Segaria (right).

His work is a review of history, encompassing vestiges from the Iberian, Roman, Andalusian, feudal, and modern eras. The oldest construction included in Just's work is the fortified settlement of Benimaquía, at the foot of Montgó, dating from the pre-Iberian era --although there is no consensus among historians to determine its true origin--.

On the other hand, the most recent ones correspond to the modern era, the 18th century, and are the castles of Moraira and La Granadella; defensive fortifications built against the attacks by Berber pirates on the Mediterranean coast.

According to the Alicante writer, all these constructions "represent our fossilized history; elements deeply integrated into the landscape that speak of our past and that we must value." For this reason, he sends a message to public administrations to bet on the recovery of this heritage through more funding lines.

Recovery Projects

Currently, there are rehabilitation projects in the castles of Perputxent and Planes, led by the Alicante Provincial Council, as well as in the Castle of Vall de Gallinera, in this case led by its town hall. However, there are many others that require urgent intervention so that their last vestiges do not disappear definitively, among which Just highlights the castle of Confrides.

While it is true that these elements can be a boost for rural tourism, for the author from Beniarrés, the main motivation behind these projects should be different. "Tourism is already quite stimulated. The preservation of our history and heritage should be the highest priority here."

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