Morella and “els Ports”
Morella
Morella (75km away) is a mediaeval town and the capital of Els Ports, where you will find a first class historical artistic site. Some outstanding features are the castle, the city walls, the gates and towers, elements which make Morella one of the best preserved mediaeval towns.
Other places of interest are the Basílica de Santa María la Mayor (Valencian Gothic), the gothic church, the cloister of the San Francisco Convent, the gothic Town Hall (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries) and the gothic aqueduct.Furthermore, handcrafted textiles like blankets and items made from wool, or the cuisine with its typical Morellan casserole ‘olleta Morellana’, croquettes, the meat and cured meats, potatoes and fresh cheeses make this small town a place you really have to visit.
The Els Ports region has lots of hidden corners full of charm, like:
Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park
Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park some 50 km away, lies between the regions of Els Ports and Baix Maestrat. The beautiful natural landscape here comprises lush forests of mountain pine, Scots pine, linden and European beech trees, as well as a variety of fauna (mountain goats, wild boars, vultures, Bonelli’s eagle, the booted eagle etc.).
For lovers of hiking, there is a network of sign-posted trails joining the seven villages of Tinença (Bel, Bellestar, Boixar, Castell de Cabres, Coratxà, Fredes and Pobla de Benifassà) with routes which give you the chance to discover this extraordinary, beautifully preserved landscape.
In addition, you can visit Polvorín cave with its cave paintings which is situated near the Ulldecona reservoir, and there is also Santa María de Benifassà Cistercian monastery (dating back to the thirteenth century).
Other towns with castles worth a visit are Todolella and Olocau del Rey. Then there are stately homes in Forcall and Herbés, or the religious heritage of Cinctorres, Vallibona and Olocau del Rey.There are many ways to enjoy the origin of the dinosaurs, Levantine cave art, the countryside and the mountains, giving visitors endless options to choose from.
For more information:
Els Ports
Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park
