Alcalà de Xivert: Templar Routes, Museums and Sierra de Irta

Alcalà de Xivert combines a distinctive Templar history with circular routes through the town and the mountain area of the Sierra de Irta. The Castillo Templario de Xivert is the main highlight: the castle is located on the southwestern side of the Sierra de Irta and overlooks the plain and the sea. Recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural, it preserves clearly distinct Arab and Christian areas. These include an outer Arab defensive wall and a Templar fortress.

Castles, views and Valencian heritage

The Ermita de Santa Lucía y San Benito also combines landscape and architectural history. It is located in the Sierra de Irta at an altitude of 312 metres, was built at the end of the 17th century and follows the Valencian Baroque style. Its viewpoint is considered one of the best viewpoints in the entire province of Castellón. This gives you a destination where views across the landscape can be combined with a specific historic building.

In the town, the Ruta Herencia del Temple is a signposted circular route through the old town. It focuses on the history of the Templars and includes visits to the church and the inside of the bell tower. The Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Bautista is recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural, was built between 1736 and 1766 and is designed in the Baroque-classical style.

Two small museums offer further insights into local history. The Museo Parroquial inside the church displays oil paintings, decorative panels, goldsmith’s work and historic liturgical ornaments. The Casa del Metge recreates the former practice and clinic of the local doctor Ricardo Cardona. Original furniture, medical instruments and personal belongings of the doctor and his family can be seen there.

Circular routes with different focuses

The Ruta de los Pozos passes historic wells in Alcalà de Xivert. These include the Pou Ample, dated to 1627; other wells date from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Ruta de les Capelletes is a heritage circular route through the town and the mountain area. Along its route are wayside shrines with predominantly polychrome ceramic panels.

The PR-CV 432 Castell de Xivert i Corrals circular route is 25.75 km long, begins near Alcalà de Xivert, is homologated by FEDME and follows marked roads and paths to the Castillo de Xivert.

The Renaissance building served as a chapter house for centuries. There was a prison on the lower floor, while three pointed arches have been preserved inside. The market of Alcalà de Xivert provides a lively connection to present-day town life: it opened in 1921 and continues to take place traditionally every Friday for locals and visitors.

Festivals and getting there

Traditional events include the festivities in honour of Sant Antoni Abad. They take place on the weekend closest to 17 January and include a bonfire, the blessing of animals and the distribution of Primetes. This means that when planning your trip, Alcalà de Xivert can be explored through historic circular routes and buildings as well as through a fixed local festival date.

Alcalà de Xivert-Alcossebre can be reached by car via the AP-7, exit 44, or the N-340. By train, there is a connection via the Cercanías-Renfe C-5 line from Castellón or Valencia. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh up a stay focused on local routes and culture against tours into the mountain area.

More destinations to compare: Alcossebre, Morella, Algimia de Almonacid, Peníscola, La Llosa, Rossell, Figueroles, Almedíjar

To the main travel overview: Castellon.