"Carrer del Pal" is one of the streets with the richest seafaring tradition in the historic center of Villajoyosa. Its name refers to the areas where ropes and nets were once made and repaired, a task traditionally carried out by the fishermen’s wives. The street also preserves significant remnants of the old sea wall, which was part of the city’s defenses against pirate attacks.
Both this street and the nearby Callejón del Pal were particularly well-suited for these tasks because of their length. This craftwork was carried out mainly by the fishermen’s wives and formed an essential part of the economy and daily life of the fishing neighborhood.
The street runs alongside the route of the old sea wall, built to protect the city from the frequent pirate attacks it suffered between the 16th and 18th centuries. Parts of the remains of this fortification are still incorporated into some of the homes in the historic district. The wall currently visible on the slope is not exactly the original city wall, but rather a structure built in the 19th century to expand the homes on Costereta and del Pou streets, create terraces, and stabilize the hillside once the city wall had lost its defensive function.
The walls of Villajoyosa sustained significant damage during the War of Succession, especially following the Bourbon occupation in the early 18th century. Even so, on Carrer del Pal, some of the most notable remains of the Renaissance defensive walls can still be seen, including one of the largest preserved turrets in the city, which even features old stone-built gun ports.
Today, this street retains the traditional, seaside character of the old town and is one of the most unique places to explore the historical connection between fishing, daily life, and the fortifications of La Vila Joiosa.