Castellnovo - Itinerary Comunitat Valenciana -
The first vestiges of Castellnovo have been located in the Torre del Mal Paso mound, northwest of the town, where a Neolithic burial was found in a cave on the hillside.
Towards the 3rd century the population moved to the site of the current castle, dating back to Roman times, and called Castellnovo during the Andalusian era, with the town taking the same name.
Around 1233 the enclave was conquered by the troops of James I, who donated the place to the nobleman Berenguer d'Entença.
After passing through successive hands (Guillem d'Espluges, Roger de Lluria and the Montcadas), in the second half of the 15th century the fortress fell to Beatriz de Borja, sister of Rodrigo de Borja (Alexander VI), after marrying Jimeno Pérez de Arenós, becoming Baroness of Catellnovo.
Since they had no descendants, the place passed into the hands of the Folch de Cardona family.
The town suffered a great loss of population after the expulsion of the Moors in 1609.
In 1610, it was the great-niece of Beatriz de Borja, of the same name, who repopulated the Barony, and in 1634, Alfonso Folch de Cardona became Marquis of Castellnovo.
The rights passed to the Duke of Montellano in 1786 until the abolition of the manors during the first third of the 19th century.
In 1836 the town was the scene of a bloody battle between liberals and carlists.
Download the Guide to the Borja in Castellnovo
Data of interest
Inhabitants: 893
Altitude: 347 m
