Get to know the charm of the 16 promoted towns at the match against UD Las Palmas
The Alto Palancia region is situated at the south of the Castellón province. It’s a region filled with lush vegetation where you can breathe in the fresh air. Pure beauty between valleys and ravines. 16 towns from the Alto Palancia region will be the main features of promotion at the match against UD Las Palmas that will take place next Saturday in El Madrigal (6:15pm CET) thanks to the Endavant Província project.
With the purpose of starting to promote these 16 towns, fans can already get to know the charm of each of them below.
Bejís
Its rugged topography, that has altitudes ranging from 1,475m of Peña Juliana to 600m of the Masía de las Ventas, creates two types of climate: warmer closer to the valley and a continental, Mediterranean-type climate in the mountains. This allows for a great variety of vegetation to grow and generates varied landscapes.
Regarding its urban part, the ethnological museum at the entrance to the village should be highlighted. You can access the old town through El Portal (the old gate), next to which stands the Loreto hermitage. In Caballeros street stands the atrium of the Parish Church, with a 16th-century façade, and the sober bell tower from the 14th century. The castle, with its ruins and splendid views, is accessible via the Plaza del Mesón. On the outside of the village, towards the Los Cloticos spring, lies the Roman aqueduct. Truly amazing.
Benafer
This town is accessed from Valencia and Castellón by the main road between Sagunto and Burgos. It stands at an altitude of 700m in the foothills of the Sierra Espadán known as Las Espinas. It is situated on the natural route between Valencia and Aragón.
Its 700m of altitude are made up of rugged terrain, with cold weather in winter and mild weather during the summer months. Its main economy is generated from agriculture, the ham curing house and the emerging touristic activity with Mas de Noguera as the main reference of rural tourism in the municipality of Benafer. In its urban tour, we can find the San Salvador Medieval Church and San Roque hermitage.
Caudiel
Caudiel can be reached by taking the Jérica exit on the N-234 Sagunto-Burgos main road which connects Caudiel to both Castellón and Valencia. Caudiel is located in the Alto Palancia region.
The municipal area is rugged and divided into two zones, a lower area where we can find the old town, and the mountainous area with altitudes up to 1,150m of Pico de las Palomas. The climate fosters a great ecological diversity with species such as cluster pine or diverse species of oaks.
In its urban tour we can find ancient fountains and three washing places which are still used by the town’s residents lining its narrow streets. Surrounded by a long wall we can find the Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas (Baroque building from the 17th century). The Baroque church was originally made of wood and on the outskirts of the town we can find the Aníbal Tower.
Chóvar
The landscape is mountainous and filled with pines and cork oaks. The weather is mild and the altitude ranges from 400-800m. The typical undulating streets have stairs to make them more accessible, in a traditional setting in the Moorish origin-towns in Sierra de Espadán. The white houses and the proximity to the Mediterranean mountains are also a characteristic feature.
Chóvar’s economy is mainly based in agriculture, focusing on almonds and olives and for this reason is an excellent producer of olive oil.
El Toro
This town can be reached by the Barracas exit on the N-234 Sagunto-Teruel main road. Its terrain is ancient. The climate is temperate, healthy and dry, which is beneficial for the treatment of both rheumatic and respiratory problems. With an altitude of 1,045m, its landscape is mostly mountainous.
In its urban part, we can find Plaza de la Iglesia (the church square), Plaza Járiz, Pozo Martina (Martina well), the old town walls, the castle tower, the fortified church and the washing place.
Gaibiel
Gaibiel is located at an altitude of 517m, between mountains and with the typical Mediterranean climate of this region. In this town, La Carrasca mountain stands out as its highest peak. Its main economic activity comes from agriculture, particularly focused on almonds and olives, and stockbreeding.
In its urban tour we come across the main square, home to San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church, and the San Blas Hermitage found at the end of San Blas street.
Geldo
Geldo has a mild climate for most of the year. It is at 300m above sea level, in a valley with soft gradients through which the Palancia river flows in the municipal area.
Entering Geldo through Castellón Avenue, we can reach the church, and visit the Duques de Medinacelli Palace. Then, walking down La Fuente Street, we reach the Fuente de Cristo natural park and going towards the river is the sports centre next to the Fuente San Gil recreational area.
Geldo’s main economic source is agriculture while the industrial sector is represented by some clothing and shoes workshops. The service sector also plays an important role.
Higueras
The terrain is steep, with some peaks surpassing altitudes of 1000m, from those of which you can see the sea. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, it has an abundant range of vegetation of chiefly cork trees and pine trees. The town is located at an altitude of 672m. It possesses typical mountain agriculture with honey, almonds, olives, and high quality olive oil. Moreover, it has a typical gastronomy with unique dishes of the town.
In its urban tour we can find the church in honour of the Purísima Concepción (Immaculate Conception), the Defense Tower, Fuente de la Maricalva (Maricalva fountain), and diverse Arabic-style houses.
Jérica
Jérica is a mountainous town whose terrain is made up of Mesozoic rocks formed during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and essentially carbonate in nature. The climate, terrrain and geological diversity, together with the influence of the Mediterranean, foster the growth of a specific vegetation, the same vegetation which grows in similar parts of the region.
In its urban tour we can find: the Homenaje Tower, remains of the Castle, the San Roque Hermitage, Torre Mudéjar de las Campanas (Mudéjar tower of the bells), Portillo de San Roque, Portal de la Sala, Portal de San Juan, Torreón in Plaza San Juan, Portal de San Joaquín y Santa Ana, wall remains, Church of the Socós Convent, Santa Águeda Fountain, Rocha del Hospital arch, Church of the Cristo de la Sangre, Capuchinos Convent, the remains of the third belt of the Wall, Santa Agueda Church, Virgen del Loreto Hermitage, Virgen de los Desamparados Hermitage, Muñatones Bishop bridge, Cruz Cubierta (Covered Cross), La Garabaya Tower and the Santa Bárbara Hermitage.
Matet
Matet has a very mountainous landscape despite its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, with an altitude of approximately 574m above sea level. The climate is temperate and healthy, with mid-ranging temperatures, although the temperature drops below 0ºC in winter and surpasses 30ºC during the summer, what’s more there is very little rain. It is a picturesque village, surrounded by mountains and olive and almond groves, as well as fruit trees and vegetable fields. There are also many springs and recreational areas.
Upon arrival to the town, we find a monument dedicated to the Almácera oil mill. Continuing with our walk down San Miguel street, we reach the Plaza de la Fuente, and in front of it, San Juan Bautista church, San Miguel street, San José street and La Purísima street. The fountain del Moné and Paseo del Moné, the Arabic Tower named El Pilón and in front of it, Santa Bárbara hermitage, out towards Villamalur, the spring and the recreational area around it, and Los Burros spring with its picnic area.
Pavías
Its origin lies in an Arabic hamlet which grew into a town due to the addition of rural houses. Pavías suffered depopulation during the expulsion of the Moors in 1609. Its industrial activity consisted of the exploitation of cobalt mines thoughout the 16th-18th century.
Its urban tour shows us Fuente Lavadero (fountain and washing place), the Parish Church, the Museum, and the old furnace. Its landscape is formed by Cueva Moma (Moma cave) and Juncosa.
Sot de Ferrer
Located between the Espadán mountains to the north and the foothills of the Sierra Calderona to the south, the municipal area is crossed by the valley of the Palancia river, which surrounds the old town from the northeast to the east. It has a mild climate and an average altitude of 230m.
Walking through its streets we can find the El Señor palace (14th century) and the Parish Church (18th century) in Plaza de la Iglesia (church square). Going out the town, we can find the impressive Calvary (19th century) and the San Antonio de Padua hermitage (17th century).
Teresa
This municipality is located at an altitude of 630m above sea level, with a temperate climate. Next to the town flows the Palancia river, which has its source at Los Cloticos, fostering a rich and varied vegetation and with good land for farming. Nature has also blessed Teresa with several high-water-quality springs, such as Fuente del Contis, Batán, Fuente del Berro, Royo, del Peral, del Nano, Fuente del Río etc.
Enjoy a walk through the streets of Teresa, starting from the square where you can find the Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza Parish Church (15th and 17th century), and the singular building of the Town Hall, and then you get into the narrow streets, with whitewashed houses and an authentic rural flavour. The sound of water goes with us throughout the village, with fountains such as Fuente del Santo, del Raval, Fuente Nueva, Fuente de la Replaceta, Fuente Azul, etc. In the upper part of the town we can find the Calvary, an old washing place and the Moorish furnace.
Torás
Torás is situated at 800m above sea level, close to the geometrical centre of the circle formed by the Pina (north), Javalambre (west) and Andilla (south) mountains, but in its municipality, there are no important peaks. In the old town, the most interesting place is the Parish Church in honour of the Holy Christ. The main crops are almonds and olives.
Vall de Almonacid
A mainly agricultural based town, with special focus on almonds, olives and fruit trees. Other activities in the town are construction and artisanal turners. In the main square we can find its Barroque-style church (15th century altarpiece), an Arabic tower in the Casa Abadía (Abbey House), and the bars, shops and other establishments. From here, continuing down the narrow streets, we can reach El Palacio square, the sports centre and various fountains.
Viver
This town rises 560m above sea level. Its weather is cool and healthy transitioning between Mediterranean and continental climates, surrounded by hills, and irrigated by the Palancia river. It spans an area of 50km2 and its terrain is made up of limestone, with hills, gullies, mountains, ravines and some low-lying plains.
In its urban tour we find the entrance to the main square (Town Hall), going through the Castillo Street to the church, entering the de los Huertos Street and the Carolina Street zone, and the Serrano Street and La Rampa.
At the beginning of the century, its sole activity was agriculture. Nowadays, this is a complementary activity, with most of the population employed in the services sector: trade, construction, small industries etc.
