Vistabella Del Maestrazgo: Trails, Panoramic Views and Historic Sites
Accommodation in Vistabella Del Maestrazgo
History, Trails and Panoramic Views
The Església Parroquial de l'Assumpció de Nostra Senyora is an important Renaissance church. Its façade was designed by Joan Anglés and has ten niches. The medieval walls are also still present: remains can be found in portals, lanes and houses, as well as in the form of masonry ruins on the edge of the built-up area.
File:Tramo de muralla antigua (Vistabella del Maestrazgo).jpg
Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Among the notable historic buildings is Casa Polo, a manor house dating from the 18th century. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, it was used as a field hospital. The Ermita de Sant Antoni originated in the 14th century and is Romanesque in style. The present-day building of the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Loreto dates from the late 16th century and houses mystical wall paintings as well as an image of the Virgin of Loreto. The Ermitorio de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa is also located within the municipality of Vistabella del Maestrazgo.
Routes for Shorter and Longer Days
The Ruta dels detalls is a circular walk of approximately 1 kilometre through the town centre and takes around 20 to 40 minutes. It therefore offers a manageable introduction to Vistabella's built heritage. The Camí dels Pinarets from Vistabella to the Ermitorio de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa is approximately 9 kilometres long. Part of the Camí dels Pelegrins de Les Useres also runs through Vistabella del Maestrazgo. Because of its biological diversity and landscapes, this route was declared a natural monument.
For Nordic walking in the mountains, there is a route of approximately 8.5 kilometres there and back in Penyagolosa. The different route lengths help you adapt the rhythm of your day to your own focus: the town-centre loop remains compact, while the routes to the Ermitorio and through the landscape require considerably more time to be set aside.
Views in Penyagolosa
The Mirador del Calvari offers a 360-degree view of Vistabella, the Mediterranean Sea, Penyagolosa, the Serra de la Batalla and the Pla de Vistabella. The Camí dels Pinarets opens up views of the Pla de Vistabella plain and the summit of Penyagolosa. In the pine forests of Sant Joan, monumental trees such as the Pi de les Quatre Forques and the Pi del Planàs can be seen along the route.
The summit of Penyagolosa reaches an elevation of 1,813 metres. The Parc Natural de Penyagolosa extends across the municipal areas of Vistabella del Maestrat, Xodos and Villahermosa del Río. The Parque Natural del Penyagolosa offers opportunities for hiking and outdoor experiences.
Festivals, Pilgrimage and Orientation
The Sant Antoni festival includes a procession, the blessing of animals, the lighting of a bonfire and donkey races. The residents of Vistabella make a pilgrimage to the Ermitorio de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa three times a year. The Jornada de la Trufa included a visit to a truffle plantation with a demonstration of truffle harvesting.
The Centro de Interpretación La Casa Forestal is located behind the Ermitorio de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa in Vistabella del Maestrat. The Tourist Info Vistabella del Maestrat provides visitors with information about Vistabella del Maestrat and the province of Castellón. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether your days should be devoted primarily to the town centre, historic buildings, pilgrimage routes or the landscapes of Penyagolosa.
Other Places in the Region
Vallivana, Peníscola, Todolella, Torreblanca, Forcall, Xilxes, Almazora, Sant Mateu
For the overarching travel overview: Castellon.
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