Vallivana: Sanctuary, Pilgrimage Tradition and Dinosaur Footprints

Vallivana combines religious tradition and geological history in an unusual local story. Morella’s Sexenni is celebrated every six years around the third Sunday in August in honour of the Mare de Déu de Vallivana. At the same time, the Yacimiento Icnológico del Barranco de Vallivana site comprises a sequence of lacustrine limestones with approximately 25 clearly recognisable three-toed dinosaur footprints, as well as several partially preserved tracks. Together, they form a clearly defined dinosaur trackway and were left by theropods.

Sanctuary and Chapel of the Apparition

The Vallivana sanctuary complex comprises a hermitage and a guesthouse; both can currently be visited. The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Vallivana is located approximately 20 km from Morella on the N-232 towards Vinaròs. The approximately 20 kilometres from Morella and the approximately 600 metres to the chapel mark two very different spatial scales around the Sanctuary of Vallivana. The present-day chapel is located approximately 600 metres from the Sanctuary of Vallivana. The present-day chapel was built in 1922 on the initiative of the Colonia de morellanos ausentes. According to tradition, it marks the place where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

The image of the Virgin of Vallivana is also part of the site’s religious and art-historical character. The terracotta figure is 25 cm high. The 1922 chapel and the 25 cm-high terracotta figure represent two different forms of religious expression: a dedicated building and a small terracotta image. Baroque-style garments almost completely cover the original figure.

Paths, Transhumance and Pilgrimage Tradition

The GR 331 E13 begins at the Santuario de la Mare de Déu de Vallivana. Its route follows ancient transhumance paths that once connected former inns, farmsteads and hamlets, including the now-abandoned Salvassoria. Transhumance refers to the movement of livestock between different grazing areas; here, the GR 331 E13 follows the old paths of this historic tradition. During the Sexenni, residents walk the 24 km between Morella and the Sanctuary of Vallivana. The 24 kilometres provide the walking connection with a clearly defined distance for personal day planning.

Dinosaur Footprints as an Unusual Experience

The dinosaur site has been prepared to make it more accessible to visitors. Visiting the Vallivana dinosaur site is considered an easy route lasting approximately 30 minutes. The site offers a separate short visit alongside the 24-kilometre pilgrimage route between Morella and Vallivana.

Natural Area along the GR 331 E13

The GR 331 E13 is connected with the ZEPA L'Alt Maestrat, Tinença de Benifassà, Turmell i Vallibana Special Protection Area for birds, as well as with the LIC Tinença de Benifassà, Turmell y Vallivana Site of Community Importance. ZEPA refers to a Special Protection Area for birds, while LIC refers to a Site of Community Importance.

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For the higher-level travel overview: Castellon.