Riba-Roja de Túria: Turia riverbank, trails and Visigothic heritage
Accommodation in Riba-Roja De Túria
Riba-Roja de Túria lies on the banks of the Turia and in the heart of the Turia Nature Park. The riverside landscape, archaeological remains, historic buildings and regional events give the town several clearly recognisable facets. This creates a destination where cultural and nature experiences can be combined through specific places and routes.
From the historic crossing to the riverside route
The Puente Viejo is also known as the Puente del Conde and has been documented since 1548. Historically, it served pedestrians, the transport of agricultural produce and goods, and the driving of livestock across the Turia. The Ruta Verde also begins at this bridge. The walking route runs along the right bank of the Turia through a riverside landscape and passes rest areas, monumental trees and other bridges. Those who pay attention to the landscape and historic route connections while walking will find a clearly traceable link here between the river and the townscape.
Water management and everyday history
La Cisterna was built opposite the Castillo to supply the population of Riba-Roja de Túria with water from the river. Another facet of local history is shown by the Llavaor Vell: it is the oldest and only surviving washhouse in the municipality and was restored in 2010 while preserving its original structure and elements. Together with the old bridge, these buildings make visible historic functions that were directly connected with supply, work and movement.
Visigothic traces and museums
Pla de Nadal is a Visigothic residential villa from the 7th century and one of the few surviving examples of Visigothic civil architecture in Europe. The MUPLA displays more than one hundred sculptures discovered at the Pla de Nadal archaeological site. For visitors with different needs, the museum has an accessible visitor route with a lift and ramps, a model of the Pla de Nadal palace for blind visitors, an induction loop available with prior notice and adapted toilets.
The Casa de la Molinera is also one of the destination's illustrative cultural sites. The grain mill building, constructed in the 15th century, is recognised as ethnological heritage and can be visited. It presents the daily life of the miller's wife and her family, flour samples, administrative documents and office items. At the Museo de Cerámica del Castillo, you can see medieval ceramics from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries that were recovered during archaeological excavations at the Castillo.
Dishes with historical connections
The annual Banquete Visigodo combines a tasting of the Menú Visigodo with a theatrical visit to the Pla de Nadal site. The menu draws on Visigothic products and cooking techniques and includes grains, spicy dressings, roast meat with vegetables, tubers and spiced fruit. At the annual Certamen de arroces, the local rice dish is presented together with a cooking demonstration and tasting involving participating restaurants.
Kayaking and hiking on the Turia
Kayak trips along the Turia are offered through the surroundings of the Nature Park, with routes of 5, 8 and 12 kilometres. The different route lengths provide a concrete basis when planning your programme on the water. For a hike without your own vehicle, the Ruta Roja starts at Masía Traver metro station and allows you to arrive without your own vehicle. For trip planning, you can distinguish between museums and historic sites, the trails along the Turia, and the kayak trips of 5, 8 and 12 kilometres.
Further places for regional orientation
For further orientation, you can also consider Torrent, Cortes De Pallás, Macastre, La Font D'en Carròs, Calles, Barx, Casas Bajas and Alcàntera De Xúquer.
For the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.
