Els Ports is a region of small villages. That's why, during your visit...
PLEASE NOTE!
01
Book your meals in advance
Plan your route in advance and book where you want to eat. You can check all the options on our website.
02
Bring cash with you
Not all villages in the region have ATMs where you can withdraw money. Do this in advance.
03
Before starting the route, get organised and check the opening hours of the different establishments and services
If some of them, such as churches or museums, are closed, you can watch the videos on our website to discover what's inside.
THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Suggested visiting times in each village:
Morella La Vella, 1 hour and a half:
From 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Xiva de Morella, 30 minutes:
From 12:45 p.m. to 01:15 p.m.
Santuario de la Balma, 45 minutes:
From 03:30 p.m. to 04:15 p.m.
Sorita, 30 minutes:
From 04:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Palanques, 45 minutes:
From 05:15 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Ortells, 30 minutes:
From 06:15 p.m. to 06:45 p.m.
Villores, 45 minutes:
From 07:00 p.m. to 07:45 p.m.
DISTANCE: 38 km from the starting point to the end of the route.
RECOMMENDED TIES:
From 11:00 a.m. to 07:45 p.m.
PLACES TO EAT:
There are bars in Villores, Xiva de Morella and Sorita, and a restaurant at the Santuario de la Balma (remember to book in advance).
07
The Bergantes River is one of the most important rivers in Els Ports, the only river in the Valencian basin that flows towards the Ebro . From its source in the municipality of Morella, its course runs north through the region until it enters Aragon.
Along its course, there are towns that have grown up alongside its waters, whose economy and history have been determined, since ancient times, by this river course.
This route allows you to enjoy small towns with a very authentic artistic, ethnological and historical heritage.
From Morella to Sorita, the route runs through the north of the region, an area with emblematic corners that will not leave you indifferent.
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Morella La Vella
FIRST STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
An hour and a half
IMPORTANT:
To visit this town, you must book a guided tour through the tourist office (hence the recommended time spent here).
Proposed schedule:
From 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Useful phone numbers
MORELLA TOURIST OFFICE:
Tel. 964 17 30 32
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Sunday
from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Closed on Mondays
A visit to the cave paintings of Morella la Vella is a must for lovers of prehistoric art. Located 6 km from the capital of Els Ports, this site is characterized by rock shelters with paintings depicting fascinating hunting scenes, part of the Levantine rock art tradition, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
EXPLORE
Near the road that connects Morella and the village of Xiva, you will find Morella la Vella, an old farmhouse that stands out for the existence in its surroundings of rock shelters with interesting prehistoric paintings, a magnificent example of the art developed by the human groups that inhabited Els Ports millennia ago.
Set in a unique location in the middle of the "d'En Camaràs" mountain range, this artistic manifestation, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a must-see for art lovers.
The style of the paintings falls within what is known as "Levantine art", a prehistoric artistic style that developed in the eastern peninsula around the Neolithic period and is characterized by the representation of human and animal figures with copper and black tones that show scenes of hunting and war activity.
Morella la Vella is a magnificent example of this type of representation, a place where you can feel the most remote past of the inhabitants of the territory.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
Although these cave paintings had long been known to the inhabitants of the farmhouse at Morella la Vella, they were not officially publicised until 1917. Almost a century later, in 1998, the rock art of the Mediterranean Arc was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Xiva de Morella
SECOND STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 12:45 p.m. to 01:15 p.m.
Useful phone numbers
MORELLA TOURIST OFFICE:
Tel. 964 17 30 32
Xiva de Morella is one of the four villages belonging to the capital of Els Ports. Located in a beautiful setting, this small town has preserved its traditions, heritage, and cuisine. Strolling through its streets is a truly peaceful experience.
EXPLORE
Stroll through the streets of Xiva de Morella, from Font Street and the old washhouses to the Church of San Salvador . Explore the surrounding area and discover the old oven. A walk through the area will allow you to see the Old Bridge and the Cross of Xiva . If you have time, visit the Hermitage of the Virgin of "Roser," built between the 13th and 16th centuries, with its Calvary, just a few meters from the town center.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
In Xiva, in the month of August, every five years, " el Quinquenni " is celebrated, an extraordinary festival in honor of the Virgin of "Roser".
A very typical dish from Xiva de Morella is the " raw potato tortilla " or " Xiva tortilla ".
DON'T MISS...
Croquellanes Factory. Production site for croquettes, mousses, pâtés and preserves with traditional ingredients from Morella and the surrounding area.
Telephone: 964 160 640 / WhatsApp: 603 85 34 68
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Sorita and La Balma
THIRD STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
45 minutes at the Santuario de la Balma and 30 minutes in Sorita (including travel time, 1 hour and a half in total)
Proposed schedule
From 03:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.
To visit these places, you need to ask for the key at the Town Hall.
Useful phone numbers
TOURIST OFFICE (Morella):
Tel. 964 17 30 32 | WhatsApp 661 42 52 94
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday
10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Monday
Closed
Sorita is the northernmost town in Els Ports. Sheltered by the Sant Marc mountain range and facing south, its fertile land is irrigated by the Bergantes River, which enabled early industrial development in the area and the existence of a unique heritage that deserves to be visited. Within its municipal boundaries lies one of the most emblematic sanctuaries of Els Ports, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Balma.
EXPLORE
To explore the town centre of Sorita, start from the outskirts of the town and walk to the Plaza de la Iglesia, where you can admire this picturesque building, notable for its grand neoclassical façade. Stroll along the town’s main streets to visit the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and take the opportunity to enjoy the narrow, winding streets around it. At the top of the village, you’ll find the castle, the former manor house of the lords of Sorita. From there, enjoy some lovely views of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of La Balma.
Once at the Sanctuary, before entering, stop at the covered cross and admire this unique structure. Make your way up to the church along the spectacular rocky path that leads to it.
VISITA
DID YOU KNOW...
The Virgin of La Balma has long been known for her miraculous healings of people possessed by demons. These miracles took place around 8 September, the day on which the festival in honour of this venerated Virgin is celebrated.
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Palanques
FOURTH STOP
Recommended visit time n the town within the route
45 minutes
Proposed schedule
From 05:15 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Useful phone numbers
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 964 17 13 06
Opening hours:
Open on Mondays from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm and on Tuesdays from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Perched atop an imposing rock, we find the village of Palanques, one of the smallest in Els Ports in terms of population. Situated in a privileged setting, its history has been shaped by the Bergantes River.
Among its outstanding natural and cultural heritage, we find the rock paintings of the "Cingle de Palanques", an excellent example of Levantine rock art in the territory
EXPLORE
From the village entrance and along the main streets, you can enjoy information panels explaining the local cave paintings. Enter via the main street until you reach the Plaza Mayor , where the main façade of the Town Hall is located. This old building retains its original 17th-century porches . From there, climb up to the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square) and explore its side, where remains of the old 14th-century Gothic church are preserved. Further up, you'll find the Bergantes viewpoint , from where you can admire the river and the villages along its banks. Finally, ascend past the cemetery to the cave paintings of "Cingle de Palanques."
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
The cave paintings at Palanques, discovered in 1988, are located in two rock shelters a few metres from the village and depict unique scenes such as the hunting of pigs and wild boars, a person holding a viper, and female figures.
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Ortells
FIFTH STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 06:15 p.m. to 06:45 p.m.
Useful phone numbers
MORELLA TOURIST OFFICE:
Tel. 964 17 30 32
Ortells is one of the districts of Morella. Situated beside the River Bergantes, a stroll through the village will transport you to a place steeped in the atmosphere of days gone by.
EXPLORE
Wander through the streets of Ortells, starting from the small chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and continuing to the Plaza Mayor , where the town hall and its portico, formerly a market hall, are located. Opposite this stands the magnificent palace of the Brusca family, Counts of Creixell.
At the highest point of the village you will find the parish church , a temple dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, "Sant Blai" and Saint Mary Magdalene.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
Ortells was a feudal estate in the Middle Ages. Until the mid-19th century, the lords of Ortells lived in the magnificent castle-house in the village, but following the loss of their feudal privileges during that century, they sold all their possessions and left the area.
07 · THE BERGANTES ROUTE
Villores
SIXTH STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
45 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 07:00 p.m. to 07:45 p.m.
Useful phone numbers
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 964 17 10 85
Opening hours:
Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm
Villores is a small village on the banks of the River Bergantes. For centuries, its economy has been linked to the manufacture of espadrilles, a craft to which a large part of the population was dedicated and which is now at the heart of an interesting project to revive local history and traditions.
EXPLORE
From the village entrance, walk up to Plaça de la Balsa , where you'll see a collective mural depicting four scenes of village life. Stroll through the streets to the parish church of Sants Joans , next to which stands the current Town Hall with its arcades. Along the way, be sure to visit all the points of interest in the MALEV (Open-Air Museum of the Espadrille in Villores), as well as a stop at the highest point of the village, where the old threshing floors have been converted into a museum .
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
In January, Villores celebrates ‘La Santantonà’, a fire festival of medieval origin that incorporates both pagan and Christian elements. The event takes place annually on the weekend closest to 17 January. During the festival, a bonfire in the shape of a hut is erected, which is set alight on Saturday following the blessing of the animals and a procession through the town in which characters take part, representing a struggle between good and evil.
DON'T MISS...
Apivillores: beekeepers for a day. An ecotourism project where you can visit an apiary and discover all the secrets of bees. Open from March to July. Suitable for all ages, from 3 years old. Booking required.
Prices: €25. Children under 12: €15.
Tel. 633820736. Email: viuelsports@gmail.com
Website: www.viuelsports.com
THE BERGANTES ROUTE
TO CONTINUE ENJOYING THE ROCK ART IN ELS PORTS, DON’T MISS
FORCALL Mas de Barberà. Tourist office of Forcall. Tel. 964171290.
PORTELL Mas de Rambla. Portell Town Council. Tel. 964178779.
VILAFRANCA La Covatina. Tourist office of Vilafranca. Tel. 964441432.
LA POBLA DE BENIFASSÀ Cueva de los Rossegadors. Tourist office of la Pobla de Benifassà. Tel. 977 72 90 36
All the shelters offer guided tours once a month, organised by the Valltorta Museum.
Tel. 964 33 60 10.