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.
Suggested visiting times in each village:
Ares, 1 hour:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Vilafranca, 1 hour:
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Castellfort, 1 hour:
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
THE
PIEDRA EN SECO
ROUTE
ROUTE: 40 km circular route.
RECOMMENDED TIMETABLE:
From 10:00 to 14:00.
PLACE TO EAT:
There are bars/restaurants in the three villages (remember to book in advance).
01
If some of them, such as churches or museums, are closed, you can watch the videos on our website to discover what's inside.
Piedra en Seco architecture is a cultural heritage that provides a spectacular example of the way of life and legacy of our ancestors.
Since ancient times, and according to the demographic and economic needs of each moment, the inhabitants of Els Ports have made sustainable use of the land, expanding farmland by adapting rough and rocky terrain and occupying mountains for agricultural use and to prevent erosion. The demarcation of communication routes used by people and flock, and the need to build shelters and other functional structures, led to the use of locally available materials and a traditional construction technique that has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
By placing one stone on top of another without the need for any type of fastening element, countless terraces, paths and footbridges, shepherd's huts and other constructions were built throughout the territory.
The Piedra en Seco route go through three villages in the region where you can appreciate a special example of this interesting architectural manifestation.
01 · PIEDRA EN SECO ROUTE
Ares del Maestrat
FIRST STOP
Recommended time for visiting the town on the route:
1 hour
Suggested timetable:
From 10:00 to 11:00
Please note that admission to the three sites is by guided tour arranged with the Tourist Office.
Useful telephone numbers
TOURIST INFO:
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Tel. 669 30 48 30
In the midst of a sea of mountains and protected by the iconic rock where its castle once stood, we find Ares del Maestrat, a town at an altitude of over a thousand metres. Its privileged location offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, and its town centre hides corners steeped in history.
TAKE A STROLL
Walk through the old town, entering from the Plaza Mayor to the church square. Stop to admire the building where is located the Town Hall and the old market, of which the porticoes with Gothic and Mudejar elements still remain. Next to it, you can see the 13th-century prison and, opposite it, on the other side of the square, the parochial church of the Virgen de la Asunción. From there, walk along Campanar Street to reach the viewpoint, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surroundings and visit the cave museum.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
According to the chronicle of King Jaime I, Ares del Maestrat was the first town in the Kingdom of Valencia to be conquered by the Christians in the 13th century. The king was travelling from Teruel to Ares to take possession of it when, halfway there, he received news that the knight Blasco de Alagón had just taken Morella from the Saracens. This prompted him to change direction to resolve the problem and claim possession of the capital of Els Ports, arriving a few days later in the town of Ares.
01 · PIEDRA EN SECO ROUTE
Vilafranca
SECOND STOP
Recommended time for visiting the town on the route:
1 hour
Suggested timetable:
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Vilafranca is the second largest town in Els Ports. Located in a privileged setting, its municipal area boasts landscapes of great natural and scenic value, where we can appreciate interesting examples of Piedra en Seco architecture. A tour of its town centre will take us on a journey of discovery through modernist and medieval buildings and a genuine history that is on display in its museums, including the Dry Stone Museum.
TAKE A STROLL
Enjoy the historic centre of Vilafranca and stroll along calle Mayor to the Church de Santa María Magdalena and the Town Hall, passing in front of various modernist houses and the Brotherhood. Visit the Piedra en Seco Museum and the Visitor Reception Centre, located in the old market, and walk through the streets that lead down to the Charity Hospital and the Sant Roc gate.
To discover the Piedra en Seco architecture, don't miss a walk around the town. We recommend the "Les Virtuts" itinerary, an outdoor route of just over a kilometre that follows an old cattle track or “caletxa”, or the "Pla de Mosorro" route, where you will discover interesting examples of buildings constructed using this ancient technique.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
Piedra en Seco architecture was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2018.
03 · PIEDRA EN SECO ROUTE
Castellfort
THIRD STOP
Recommended time for visiting the town on the route:
1 hour
Suggested timetable:
From 13:00 p.m. to 14:00 p.m.
Useful telephone numbers
TOWN HALL:
Tel. 964 44 57 81
Castellfort is an impressive town surrounded by mountains. At an altitude of over 1,300 metres, this town preserves a unique architectural and historical heritage. A stroll through its town centre will allow you to enjoy the history that every stone breathes, and a visit to its surroundings will allow you to discover spectacular landscapes and mythical sacred places that will remain in your memory forever.
TAKE A STROLL
From the church square, admire the temple dedicated to "l’Assumpció de Maria". A tour of this interesting area will take you to discover the Brotherhood building, the 17th-18th century porches and the Town Hall, on the ground floor of which the old market and medieval prison are still preserved. Visit the house of the Marqueses of Castellfort and lose yourself in the streets, enjoying the exquisite historic façades with interesting ceramic altarpieces.
Outside the town, visit the archaeological site of Lloma Comuna, a settlement with roots in the Iron Age and the Iberian period, located in a spectacular setting surrounded by mountains, where you can enjoy extensive visits to the surrounding area.
VISIT
DID YOU KNOW...
The archaeological site of "Lloma Comuna" was discovered in 2005 during preparatory work for the installation of the wind farm.