XIVA
MORELLA
STAGE 8
LOS MIRADORES
XIVA - MORELLA
Els Ports is home to numerous places that lend personality and authenticity to these lands. The mountainous terrain occasionally gives way to plains that serve as natural viewpoints of the landscape, providing spectacular views of these lands, as is the case with the Sierra de San Isidro.
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
Camí del Roser de Xiva - Roser Hermitage
Natural heritage
Surrounded by the poplars of the Barranc dels Plans ravine and the cypresses of the Stations of the Cross, stands the Sanctuary of the Verge del Roser. The complex comprises the chapel, the eremite’s house, the Stations of the Cross and the old chapel of the Verge del Roser. Highlights of this beautiful landscape include the great vertical walls of the ravine, and also the Font del Roser spring.
The primitive chapel was built in 1242, and renovated and extended in 1545. It was initially dedicated to the Verge de la Font, but changed over time to the present day Verge del Roser. Today’s chapel and the Stations of the Cross were built between 1890 and 1895. The site has been declared an Asset of Local Relevance.
The Virgen del Roser is the patron saint of Xiva. Her festivity is held on the second weekend of August. The Quinquenni takes place every five years, and the statue is taken from the chapel to Xiva.
Ordanyó Fountain
Natural 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.
Mas de Mejora
Natural heritage
The traditional image of Els Ports is of impressive mountains dotted with old roads and isolated country houses. The ‘mas’ is the traditional home found in the region. It is generally a farm comprised of a country house with various buildings and pastures for livestock, farmland and its own forests.
Mas de Mejora is a typical example of this type of construction: a house, pens and hayloft. It is a dry stone and rammed earth construction. Interesting features include the wooden balcony and an original double door to the house. It also conserves the wooden livestock enclosures found throughout the region. The home was abandoned in the 20th century.
Almond trees of Mas de Carceller
Natural heritage
Curious almond trees shaped like a 4 on the stone wall on the road to Xiva. It is not clear why they have grown in this way, but they may have been manipulated this way to make the most of the farmland and be able to collect the fruit from the road.
For many centuries, livestock and dryland farming have been the basic activities in Els Ports. This way of working, living and communicating has created a unique cultural landscape. Els Ports-Camí de Conquestais is full of these elements, which have shaped the history, culture and traditions of this land.
Torre el Posso Well
Natural heritage
This well or fountain stands at a strategic point on the road to Xiva, making it an obligatory stop to cool off for people and animals travelling on the road. This fountain or well was so important that two local farmhouses refer to it in their name: Torre el Posso and Mas del Pou. The well was built with the typical stone used in the area and you can still see a section of the original bridle path paving and dry stone.
Roads were essential for communication between locals and for livestock, and wells like this one were extremely important. They generally had the following characteristics: they were located at a crossroads between two or more roads, built with dry stone, used for people and animals, and many were found close to a country house.