a large sea-port town in the province of Valencia and territory of Segura. It is seated between the mountains and the sea, and has a castle deemed impregnable. The port is defended by three bastions furnished with artillery. To prevent the visits of the Algerine pirates, watch-towers were built to give notice of the approach of an enemy's ship. It was taken from the Moors in 1264. The castle was taken by the English in 1706, and held out a siege of two years before it was retaken by the French and Spaniards, and at last surrendered upon honourable terms.