Castell del Mascarat

Spain, Spain

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Castell del Mascarat is a 12th-century Moorish watchtower perched dramatically on a limestone crag at 582 meters above the Mascarat pass between Calpe and Altea in Alicante province, Valencian Community, Spain.

Originally built as an outpost for coastal defense during Almohad rule and reinforced by Christians under James I against revolts, it was rebuilt in the 16th century to combat Berber pirate raids using smoke signals with nearby towers like Cap d'Or.

Now reduced to a single striking wall amid rugged terrain, the ruins offer hikers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the Mediterranean, Sierra Bernia, and coast from Moraira to Benidorm, linked to local bandit legends haunting the pass.