OLOCAU DEL REY
LA TODOLELLA
STAGE 5
DE LA NARANJA A LA MOLA
OLOCAU DEL REY - LA TODOLELLA
Els Ports is home to numerous places that lend authenticity to these lands. The mountains rise above the landscape, offering spectacular views. In Olocau del Rey, you can find the Hermitage of the Virgin of the Orange, at an altitude of 1,164 meters. La Mola de la Todolella serves as a natural border with Aragon, at around 1,100 meters.
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
Hermitage of La Magdalena
Architectural/natural heritage
The religious architecture of Olocau del Rey is represented by the church of Nuestra Señora del Pópulo (13th-14th centuries) and five chapels. The oldest of the latter is the chapel of La Magdalena. It is a perfect example of chapels built in the Reconquista style (Reconquest) and it dates back to the 14th century although it was greatly modified in the 18th century. It stood on the edge of an old road, of which you can still spot traces of its cobblestones and bordering walls.
Standing outside the town limits, on the road to Bordón, the chapel is a small, rectangular, elongated construction with a gable roof. It was built with masonry. One peculiar feature is its main door, which stands at the side and under a short awning. The wooden plank door stands under a semi-circular arch and it is the only opening in the walls except for a narrow arrow slit under the eaves. Inside, an image of Mary Magdalene presides over the altar.
Olcaf Castle
Architectural/natural heritage
Olocau del Rey was an important medieval town thanks to its strategic location. This meant the town had numerous important buildings, many of which still stand today. For centuries, the castle of Olcaf or Olocau del Rey was a highly valued and coveted defensive system in these borderlands. It stands on the Puig de Olocau mountain, 1.199 metres above sea level, and offers spectacular panoramic views. It was built by the Moors in the 10th century using the rammed earth technique, and was later rebuilt by El Cid in 1084. It was an important stronghold during the battles of the Reconquest.
In 1271, Don Pedro granted the town a Municipal Charter and it became part of the Kingdom of Valencia. Margarita de Montferrato, Countess of Urgel and mother of Jaime de Urgel, a pretender to the throne of Aragón after the death of Martin the Humane in the early 15th century, was held captive in this castle. Some pieces of the walls and a circular tower still stand today and the castle as a whole has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Mas de Mola
Architectural/natural heritage
A mas or masia is the traditional home in this land. It is generally a farm comprised of a country house with various buildings used for livestock farming, agriculture or working with wood from the forests. Mas de la Mola comprises a series of buildings dating back to the 17th century. The construction makes the most of the slope in the terrain so there are buildings at different heights with gable or shed roofs.
The façade and main gateway are at the lower level, built with masonry combining exposed and whitewashed stone. The façades are simple and functional, predominantly featuring blank walls although there are some small openings with lintels. The building also features small balconies with no overhang on the main façade to take advantage of the sunlight.
Peiró of Sant Pere
Architectural heritage
This is a partial reconstruction of the former peiró or pedestal (devotional or wayside cross) that was destroyed during the Civil War.
It stands on a square pedestal and conserves at least six original pieces, with an original, square plinth on top. The central part is a concrete reconstruction; this section has three niches, one features a 4-piece mosaic of Saint Peter. A carved stone (also from the original peiró) finishes the cross, features an eave and is shaped like a double pyramid.
Peiró of Santa Bàrbara
Architectural heritage
This devotional cross, or peiró, dates from after 1940 although it contains some parts from the primitive cross. It comprises a small masonry monolith topped with an original carved stone, a mosaic simulating a chapel with nine ceramic pieces dedicated to Saint Barbara, and a stone Latin cross on top.
Peirons, or devotional/monumental crosses, stand at the entrance to towns, at crossroads and/or other relevant locations.