DISCOVER ELS PORTS
BY CAR
ROUTE 5
The Tinença Natural Park Route
Els Ports is a region with small villages. That's why, during your visit...
PLEASE NOTE!
01
Book your meals in advance.
Plan your route in advance and book wherever you like. You can see all the options on our website.
02
Carry cash with you.
Not all towns in the region have an ATM. Do this in advance.
03
Before starting the route, get organized 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 their interior.
THE
TINENÇA
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05
Suggested visiting times in each village:
Castell de Cabres, 30 minutes:
10:00h – 10:30h.
Coratxà, 30 minutes:
11:00 – 11:30h.
El Boixar, 30 minutes:
12:00h – 12:30h.
Fredes, 30 minutes:
13:00h – 13:30h.
El Ballestar, 30 minutes:
16:30h – 17:00h.
La Pobla de Benifassà, 1 hour:
17:15h – 18:15h.
ROUTE: 50 km from the starting point to the end of the route.
RECOMMENDED TIME:
From 10:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
PLACE TO EAT:
There are restaurants in Coratxà, Fredes and in La Pobla de Benifassà and small bars in El Boixar and El Ballestar (remember to book in advance).
The Tinença de Benifassà is a historic territory located in the easternmost part of Els Ports, a mountainous region of spectacular landscapes dotted with small villages that share a common history dating back to the Middle Ages. In 1233, King James I founded Santa Maria de Benifassà, one of the oldest monasteries and the first Cistercian monastery in the Kingdom of Valencia , granting it its own territory so that the monks could obtain the resources necessary for their monastic life. Thus, the monastery controlled a large territory encompassing seven villages, exercising power in the form of a "tenencia" or "tinença," a legal institution that allowed its abbot the usufruct of the territory without owning it.
Currently, this rich territory has been protected since 2006 , thanks to the creation of the Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park. Its area encompasses the historical district and other municipalities of surrounding villages that share the same flora, fauna, orographic, climatic, and environmental conditions.
The route passes through six villages of the historic Tinença de Benifassà, along a route with spectacular landscapes and corners where you can appreciate the traces of a glorious past.
VISIT
05 · THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
Castell de Cabres
FIRST STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Useful phone numbers
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 977 72 90 15
Castell de Cabres is the gateway to the Tinença. Located on the slope of a small hill at an altitude of over a thousand meters, its small town center contains corners that will not leave you indifferent.
EXPLORE
Visit the Church of Sant Llorenç , built in the 18th century and preserving its original Baroque paintings. Climb from Trinquete Street to the highest part of the village, where the Calvary site is located, above which the town's old castle would have stood. From there, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. Go down Main Street and visit the oven and the small well in the square.
VISIT
Church of "Sant Llorenç"
Oven
Old school
DID YOU KNOW...
Castell de Cabres is the only town in Els Ports where there was a mining industry. The mineral extracted was lignite, a high-quality type of coal that was transported by truck to the towns of Vinaròs or Cretas, where it was exported by ship or train to other parts of Spain.
05 · THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
Coratxà
SECOND STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Useful phone numbers
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 977 72 90 51
In one of the highest areas of the Tinença, at 1,329 meters above sea level, we find the village of Coratxà, a small population center where you can savor the essence of the past and a spectacular natural environment.
EXPLORE
From the wide main square , where you can see the curious building of the old town hall, take a stroll through the streets, savoring the picturesque corners of the town. Climb up to the Church of Sant Jaume , an interesting 13th-century building that retains its original structure and Romanesque portal, as well as the original cemetery to one side. From there, take a walk around the surrounding area to enjoy some spectacular views.
VISIT
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Church of "Sant Jaume"
DID YOU KNOW...
Coratxà is the highest village in the Tinença and one of the highest inhabited places in the Valencian Community .
05 · THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
El Boixar
THIRD STOP
Recommended visit time int the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule
From 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Useful phone numbers:
TOWN HALL:
Tlf. 977 72 90 51
El Boixar is one of the largest villages in the Tinença region, situated in an area traditionally dominated by boxwood, a plant species that gave the village its name and brought prosperity to the population over the centuries. A stroll through the village will transport you to another era.
EXPLORE
From the entrance, slowly climb the steep streets to the highest part of the village, where you'll find the old town hall building with its interesting porch. A little further up, you'll reach the Church of San Bernabé, also known as the Church of the Assumption , a place where you can feel the traces of the past and enjoy beautiful views.
VISIT
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Church of San Bernabé or of the Assumption
DID YOU KNOW...
In the first Carlist war, between 1833 and 1839, Boixar was one of the places from where the Carlist general Cabrera , known as "the tiger of Maestrazgo", gathered troops and planned several military actions.
04 ·THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
Fredes
FOURTH STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
Froma 01:00 p.m. to 01:30 p.m.
To visit these places, you need to ask for the key at the Town Hall.
Useful phone numbers:
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 977 72 90 51
A town of Muslim origin, its name refers to its extreme climate. Strolling through its streets is like stepping into a place where tranquility reigns in every corner.
EXPLORE
Stroll along the main street to the parish church , dedicated to the martyr saints "Saint Abdo" and "Saint Senen." Walk down the slope to the lower part of the village and visit the small cemetery. From there, return to the upper streets and enjoy the lush natural surroundings.
VISIT
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Church of "Sant Abdó" and "Sant Senén"
DID YOU KNOW...
In the municipality of Fredes is the Tossal de los Tres Reyes (1,351 meters), a place where legend says that three monarchs met to seal an agreement without anyone having to leave their kingdom.
05 · THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
El Ballestar
FIFTH STOP
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
30 minutes
Proposed schedule:
From 04:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Useful phone numbers:
TOWN HALL:
Tlf. 977 72 90 51
Ballestar is the village closest to the Santa Maria de Benifassà monastery and has the largest municipal area in the Tinença region. Its town center is characterized by interesting buildings and charming streets where you can wander and enjoy every corner.
EXPLORE
From the Church of San Salvador , stroll along Calle Mayor, admiring the charming houses, until you reach the edge of the village. Take the opportunity to wander down any of the alleyways and be amazed by the surrounding views. If you have time, walk to the archaeological site of La Morranda .
VISIT
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Church of San Salvador
DID YOU KNOW...
Embedded in one of the walls of the village's bell tower, we find a sepulchral slab depicting a knight dressed in the habit of the Cistercian order, to which the monastery of Santa María de Benifassà belonged.
05 · THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK ROUTE
La Pobla de Benifassà
SIXTH ROUTE
Recommended visit time in the town within the route:
1 hour
Proposed schedule:
From 05:15 p.m. to 06:15 p.m.
Useful phone numbers:
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 977 72 90 51
La Pobla de Benifassà is the lowest-lying village in the Tinença region. Situated on fertile land at an altitude of 680 meters and facing the sun, the town is characterized by its narrow, steep streets, which have served as inspiration for poets and artists, whose influence can be seen throughout the visit.
EXPLORE
Just a few meters before reaching the village, stop to visit Peter's Garden , a unique artistic space in the heart of nature that will surprise you.
Once in the village, enter via Calle Mayor (Main Street) to the town hall . From there, continue walking and ascend the steep streets towards Calle de Enmedio (Middle Street). Enjoy Casa Renata , a picturesque artistic gem, before reaching the church of Sant Pere Apòstol . Stroll around the village and descend to the last houses, where you'll find the old schoolhouse and the washhouse, among other historic buildings.
VISIT
Church of "Sant Pere Apostol"
Peter's Garden
DID YOU KNOW...
After the Spanish Civil War, in Pobla de Benifassà and its surroundings there were many people belonging to the Maquis , a guerrilla movement opposed to the Franco regime , among whom was "la Pastora", a person who stood out for her intersex condition, a fact that accentuated a whole legend around her personal and political life.
THE
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TO CONTINUE ENJOYING THE TINENÇA NATURAL PARK, YOU CAN'T MISS
MONASTERY OF SANTA MARÍA DE BENIFASSÀ Only the part of the church can be visited on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
ULLDECONA SWAMP