Weekly guided trips to Forna castle

CUBE-SHAPED and mysterious, the mountaintop castle in the picturesque hamlet of Forna, tied to L'Atzúvia, was a source of fascination for many years before it finally opened to the public.

Even now, you can only get there by guided tour, although the good news is that these take place practically on the hour every Sunday and bank holiday.

Built in the 13th century and with renovations and decorations from the next 200 years added, Forna castle is not, technically-speaking, a castle, but a palace: whilst castles did enclose the main hub of towns with homes within their walls during the Mediaeval era, they were primarily defence constructions, with heavy boundaries to protect their occupants. But the fortress in Forna was a residential home for the aristocracy of the time.

And as well as being a fascinating sightseeing opportunity in itself, Forna castle offers unrivalled views across the Marina Alta's rural valleys, to the west, and a panorama of its coast, to the east.

Trips run on Sundays and national or regional holidays at 10.00, 11.00, noon and 13.00, and cost €3, with children under five going free of charge, and €2 for the under12s.

They take place yearround, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and January 5 and 6.