TODOLELLA
IMPRESSIVE CASTLE, GUARD AND FORTRESS OF THE VILLAGE.
Todolella can be seen from long distances thanks to its imposing castle, fortress and guard of the town, raised on a nearby hill. Its strategic location hides it from the town as approaching to it or even when walking down the village. Stately building, constructed in the 16th century on the remains of a previous castle of the 13th century. With a rectangular shape and indoor courtyard, it includes towers, gothic doors, the interior parade ground, with the rounded arch of the entrance, paintings and a porticoed corridor. The interior has antique furniture and objects. Todolella’s streets are sinuous and have an obvious medieval route. In the center, there is the unique church in honour of Sant Bartolomé, the Town Hall and other unique houses. In the surroundings, you can enjoy a landscape of great interest, which offers panoramic views from the highlands, civil constructions of great architectural and historical importance, as the bridges Pont del Molí and Pont Gòtic or an uninhabited town, Saranyana. At the top of the butte la Mola del Roc, it stands the impressive church of Sant Cristòfol. The intangible heritage is manifested in Todolella as a traditional dance of Iberian origin, known as Les Danses Guerreres (the warrior dances).
MONUMENTS IN TODOLELLA
Castle: Stately building, built in the 16th century on the remains of an ancient castle built in the 13th century. With rectangular courtyard, includes towers, gothic doors, the interior parade ground, with rounded arch in the entrance, the paintings and the porticoed corridor.
Bridge El Pont del Molí and Sant Onofre hermitage: First bridge built in the town to cross the river, which is located in the access to the old mill of the town. At this point, there is the shrine of Sant Onofre, forming a very interesting complex.
Gothic Bridge: Second bridge to be built in the town. Its magnificence is acquired for the almost impossible breadth of his eye, which is 13 meters wide. It is accompanied by a second eye that enables people to cross with a carriage. Illuminated at night.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
Schrine of Sant Cistòfol: Shrine consecrated to Saint Cristopher known for its location and its monumentality. At the top of the butte Mola de Roc, it dominates the towns of Todolella, Cinctorres and Forcall. It is an architectural very interesting complex with a shrine and a patio. Several pilgrimages come there from the three localities.
Church honouring Sant Bartolomé: This church is located at the foot of the castle, forming a monumental complex crowning town. Temple with Greek cross with central dome, side access and bell tower located at the foot of the nave, with semicircular gable roof. An architectural rarity for that time.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Saranyana: Uninhabited village. In this place we can find the Baroque church of Sant Miquel, the ruins of a Romanesque church and different façades of houses that give a unique beauty to this place. Saranyana is an example of the life and customs of the rural past.
Mola de la Todolella: an impressive butte of 1,128 m that offers a view of the whole region.
Font del Camaró: Small waterfall that flows vertically between the rocks during spring.
Forat del Lladre: it was a hiding place for thieves, as the name in Valencian proves. From this point, it is possible to see the impressive green vegetation.
The recreational area Els Safaretjos: Area where you can see how the clothes were washed in the past and enjoy nature in the river Cantavieja.
Tradition of espardenyes: On weekdays, in the streets of Todolella it is possible to see people manufacturing the traditional espadrilles or espardenyes.
Astronomical Observatory: Todolella has an astronomical observation point in Santa Bàrbara. To use it, you must contact the council.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
Les Danses Guerreres
The castle and the traditional “war dances” the emblems of Todolella. The Danses Guerreres ia a traditional dance of Iberian origin in which eight men dressed in typical apparel dance thirteen steps imitating a fight with sticks and swords
Date: On Sunday during the festivities in honour of Sant Bartolomé, at 6 pm. These are also celebrated each year the week of the 24th of August.
Sant Antoni
Main celebration of winter.
Date: held in the middle of February, a week before Carnival, one of the latest Sant Antoni in Els Ports.
