Community Spirit ezine, July 2019

4. Hot springs Montanejos
Located 90 km from Valencia and 65 km
from Teruel, the hot springs first became
famous during the conquest of the Moors
over 1000 years ago. At that time the hot
springs were a favorite bathing area for the
Moorish King and his harem (the water said
to keep his women young and beautiful).
The crystal waters of the lagoon bubble
year round at a temperature of 25°C and
are surrounded by spectacular cliffs and
deep gorges. Take a dip in the Montanejos
hot springs and explore the lagoon (bring
your snorkel!), see the fish and discover
the hidden caves. The braver ones can jump
off adjacent cliffs right into the deepest
part of the lagoon and make a real splash.
Access by public transportation is difficult.
For this location car rental is
recommended.
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5. Peníscola Castle
Often called the “Gibraltar of
Valencia,” Peníscola castle rises
fantastically out of the sea. Used
frequently in films and television as
a medieval backdrop, visiting
Peníscola is an astounding excursion
back in time. Known locally as “The
City in the Sea”, Peníscola is a
fortified seaport with a lighthouse,
built on a rocky peninsula 67 m high
and joined to the mainland only by a
narrow strip of land (in fact, the
name Peníscola is derived from the
Latin for peninsula). Its history goes
back to the Iberians over 2000 years
ago. Later the town became
Phoenician, then Greek, was next
captured by the Carthaginians and
legend has it this is the place where
Hannibal swore an oath that he
would never be a friend of Rome.
The present castle was built by the
Knights Templar between 1294 and
1307 and from 1415 to 1423 it was
the home of the Pope Benedict XIII.
The castle is now a popular tourist
attraction and the beaches next to
the old city are well worth a visit.
Peníscola is about 120 km north of
Valencia and is accessible by
motorway and public transport.