Vilanova D`Alcolea: History, Nature and Llata Crafts
Accommodation in Vilanova D`Alcolea
Vilanova d’Alcolea is a place where the Roman past, ecclesiastical architectural history, rural craft traditions and nature come together. If you would like to combine culture, landscapes and regional highlights in one trip, the municipality offers several clearly distinguishable points of interest. For planning your trip, it is therefore important to decide whether you wish to give greater weight to historical evidence, nature observation, routes or crafts.
Roman Traces and Historical Connections
L’Hostalot-Ildum is considered one of the official Roman posting stations in the imperial communications system. The archaeological site is located on the CV-10, at the junction where the CV-145 begins as the access road to Vilanova d’Alcolea. The section of the Via Augusta that runs through Vilanova d’Alcolea connected Gades, present-day Cádiz, with Rome. For historically interested travellers, the focus is therefore both on a specific archaeological site and on a long-distance connection between Gades and Rome.
Church, Calvario and Medieval Wall
The Church of Sant Bertomeu was built in the 17th century on the site of the former castle. A 16th-century chalice is preserved in the church. The Calvario has 14 chapels and was built between the 17th and 18th centuries on the initiative of the Franciscans. In addition, remains of a medieval wall have been preserved in the municipality of Vilanova d’Alcolea. The religious buildings and wall remains thus represent different historical periods within the town.
Nature between Assut and Font de Calaf
The Paratge Natural de l’Assut has been a wildlife reserve since 2015 and is home to amphibian species that are unique in Europe. The Paratge Font de Calaf has a natural spring, barbecue facilities and stone tables beneath black poplars. The Xop de l’Assut is designated as a monumental tree. The nature theme thus ranges from special wildlife and a spring with permanent facilities to a single tree designated as monumental.
Hiking Route, Dry Stone and Llata
The Ruta de les Senies is an easy hiking route measuring 3.79 kilometres. It runs along the banks of the RĂo Vilanova and passes hydraulic structures. The dry-stone architecture in Vilanova d’Alcolea includes livestock shelters, huts, wells and small rural houses. Llata workshops for children and older people are regularly organised in the municipality. There are also numerous Llata items, made from the woven leaves of the dwarf palm, including baskets, carrying baskets, fans and rugs. If you appreciate rural building and craft traditions, these examples range from functional stone structures to artistically woven everyday objects.
A Roman Testimony in the Town Hall
A milestone from the Hostalot area is publicly exhibited in the lower part of Vilanova d’Alcolea Town Hall. The milestone is therefore an additional point of interest for anyone who would like to explore Roman history not only through major long-distance connections, but also through a single preserved testimony.
Further Travel Ideas
For additional travel ideas, you can also explore Anroig, Villanueva de Viver, Les Coves De VinromĂ , Vallat, Coll D'ares, La Serra D'en Galceran, Alcudia de Veo and Sant Joan de MorĂł.
For the higher-level travel overview: Castellon.
