VILAFRANCA
PORTELL
STAGE 1
DRY
STONE
VILAFRANCA - PORTELL
Dry stone is a constant in Vilafranca. For centuries, a distinct, simple, popular, and ecological architecture has developed, transforming the landscape in a wise and environmentally respectful manner.
SEAL POINTS:
-
Vilafranca: Tourist office and Town Hall.
-
Cinctorres: Tourist office and Town Hall.
-
Forcall: Tourist office and Town Hall.
-
La Mata: Town Hall.
-
Todolella: Town Hall.
-
Olocau del Rey: Tourist information point.
-
Villores: Town Hall.
-
Morella: Tourist office.
-
Vallibona: Tourist information point.
-
Portell: Town Hall.
-
Herbés: Town Hall.
For more information, please contact any registration point or the Els Ports Regional Commonwealth:
Tlf. 964440306 / 964441266
E-mail: info@mancomunitatelsports.es
Dry stone architecture
Architectural heritage
Dry stone is extremely common in Vilafranca. Over the centuries the town’s inherent, simple, popular and ecological architecture has transformed its landscape wisely and in tune with the environment.
The need to increase the area and quality of arable land meant large quantities of stone were extracted; the stone was left close to the transformed land and given new use. The townspeople used the stone to create hundreds of kilometres of dry stone walls, homes, ponds, wells, farming terraces, drinking troughs, etc.
The view of the plain, known as the Devesa, between Vilafranca and the peiró (cross) of Sant Pere is captivating as it seems to be a sea of dry stone thanks to the many stone walls and homes built along the road. Mas de la Blaia is another highlight on this section of the route.
Ethnological heritage
Architectural heritage
The history, culture and economy of the Els Ports region have been developed on the local roads. Many are still used today for livestock, such as the assagadors (literally, single-file path). This area of the Vilafranca municipal district features 3 outstanding heritage elements related to the local history, customs
and traditions.
Bassa d’Hivern is a drinking trough for livestock and also a nucleus for biological life as it contains water for most of the year. The fountain and its surrounding area, with its dry stone walls, have conserved their rural ambiance for years. Nearby there is a magnificent, ancient black pine with a powerful trunk and lush foliage. Mas de Tena is a fortified agricultural building and home. It is a Moorish farmhouse with a square structure, towers and battlements. It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2008.
Peiró de Sant Pere stands at the crossroads with the assagador de l’Empriu; this devotional cross was built in the 17th century and restored in 2010.
Historical / architectural heritage
The traditional home in this land is the mas. It dates back to the Reconquest when settlers arrived from Aragon and Catalonia in the 13th and 14th centuries. While economic activity was diversified in towns, in the mountains people only worked in agriculture and livestock farming. These farms stood far from the towns so the home or mas was built nearby to be able to better take care of livestock. The mas became an isolated economic and social unit, found scattered throughout the territory. For centuries the masovers,
or those who lived and worked at the masos, were dedicated to farming the land and to livestock. They have been the great preservers of the ethnological heritage of Vilafranca, with its roads, masos, fountains, drinking troughs, etc.
El Lligalló is linked to the importance of livestock farming in the area. This institution was created by King Jaume I and it was an association of shepherds who ensured that the roads were used properly.
Historical / architectural heritage
This is the second archaeological site in the Region of Valencia with proof of human occupation during the Mesolithic period. Excavation campaigns were carried out between 2011 and 2013. Their results allow us to confirm the existence of a site that covers the transition between the Mesolithic and Neolithic eras. The last campaign confirmed that the site was occupied during four periods: the oldest 9000 years ago, the second 7000 years ago, and the third 5000 years ago. During the late Neolithic, 3000 years ago, the balma or cave was used as a burial site.
There are two interesting spots before you reach Vilafranca: Les Mallades and Barranc de la Fos. Les Mallades is a mountainous area highly appreciated among rock climbers; and Barranc de la Fos ravine stands out for its important landscape, fauna, plants and ethnography.
