VILAFRANCA
THE DRY STONE DRAWS THE SURROUNDINGS.
Being the second largest town in Els Ports, Vilafranca is located in the eastern foothills of the Iberian System, at 1,126 meters. It has a rugged terrain with altitudes ranging from 730 to 1,656 meters, the highest point in the whole region. In fact, its mountainous enclave is what makes this area rich in terms of wildlife and variety of flora. In the municipality, there are places of great geological interest and scenic charm as the ravine Barranc de la Fos, the caves of Forcall or the forest Palomita. Visiting Vilafranca is going back in time and diving into the rural life of yesteryear, in order to discover an architectural asset of great value: the dry stone. These structures made only with stones and the hands of locals have transformed the landscape and left an impressive legacy. In Vilafranca, there are hundreds of kilometers of dry stone walls, walkways, paths, houses and shelters among others. To learn more about this technique, it is paramount to visit the museum of la Pedra en Sec. The old town treasures charming spots, which differentiate the old Vilafranca from the new one. Outside the village, you can discover places like La Pobla del Bellestar or El Llosar.
THINGS TO DO IN
VILAFRANCA
Town Hall: Of the 13th and 14th centuries, it is a building with several noble rooms, with impressive caisson ceilings made of wood and Gothic windows. It houses the tourist office and the museum of Vilafranca.
Portal de Sant Roc (16th century): The medieval walls of Vilafranca had four entrances. The only survivor is Sant Roc, which made possible the access from Benassal. Inside it, there is a small chapel consecrated to Saint Roch.
Hospital de caritat: This charity hospital is a medieval building built to deliver health care and assistance to the people in need, the poor and pilgrims.
Brusca’s ancestral house: This manor house belonged to the Brusca family, a noble, powerful and influential family who had the most important positions in local government during a long period.
Peñarroya’s ancestral house: Mansion with humble external appearance, with a door with a keystone and the coat of arms of the family that gives its name to the house. It has a ceramic panel that reminds how Juan Bautista Peñarroya achieved the independence of Vilafranca from Morella.
Art Nouveau houses: The textile industry is the most important reason why Vilafranca has a surprising urban perimeter, with historic and modern parts. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, a small local bourgeoisie emerged, enriched by industrialisation, which can be seen in various Art Nouveau buildings like the houses of Álvaro Monfort or Julio Monfort. The Pharmacy or “El Moderno” are also Art Nouveau buildings with great value.
Old school of la Consolación: First of the 28 foundations in Spain made by the Reverend Mother Sister Juana Tena Gascón. It was founded in 1901. In 1921, the nuns moved to the new school and convent until in 1972, when they moved from Vilafranca and it was closed.
Gothic bakehouse: Building with an architecture that responds to the so-called reconquest style, with a succession of diaphragm arches, on which rests a wooden roof. It is currently owned by the Cooperativa de Agroturismo Vilatur Coop.
MUSEUMS
VILAFRANCA
Pedra en Sec Museum: Located in the former market of the 14th century, it has its right wall covered with pointed arches and Renaissance pilasters on the left side. The museum gives visitors the opportunity to discover the world of dry stone architecture, its techniques and its uses thanks to a tour through panels, models, recreations and projections.
Ancient Town Hall: The ancient Town Hall is a building of the 13th and 14th centuries. It houses the tourist office, an itinerant exhibition hall and two other rooms with a collection of mineralogy and paleontology. It is preserved a Gothic altarpiece of la Verge del Llosar, commissioned to the artist Valentí Montoliu which is considered an authentic jewel.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
Santa María Magdalena church, Tower of Conjurar and Parroquial Museum: Nice church of the 16th century with a Plateresque style which combines Gothic and Renaissance elements in perfect harmony. At the rear, there is a tower with merlons, which forms a single structure with the rest of the building and gives the peculiar aspect of fortress. Inside, there is the Museu Parroquial, a parish museum, where you can admire an interesting collection of works of art.
Santuari de la Verge del Llosar: 2 km from the town. Interesting architectural ensemble formed by the church, the inn, the porch, and pens. Sanctuary built on the site where, according to tradition, the Verge del Llosar was found.
SHRINES
VILAFRANCA
Hermitage of San Roque: From the early 18th century, this hermitage has a slender silhouette with a porch on the main facade, sturdy buttresses, and a single nave.
Hermitage of Santa Bárbara: Dating from the late 18th century, this hermitage is an example of a church with a minimal-sized hall plan, featuring three naves at the same height and a crossing covered with a dome.
INTERESTING TO VISIT IN
VILAFRANCA
Dry-stone paths:
Vilafranca offers three routes that span the entire municipal area, designed to help visitors interpret a landscape shaped by stone and understand the effort of its inhabitants: Les Virtuds, La Parreta and El Pla de Mosorro.
Barranc de la Fos:
The most important ravine in Vilafranca due to its landscape, wildlife, vegetation and ethnographic richness. It is a deep valley with steep slopes, notable for the agricultural use it once had.
Caves of Forcall:
A highly attractive natural setting. These formations of stratified limestone have been sculpted by nature over time. The area includes a group of 16 cavities hanging from a rocky mass nearly 200 metres high, some of them deep caves and others simple shelters. They can be reached in about 45 minutes by a path that starts in Vilafranca.
Covatina del Tossalet del Mas de la Rambla:
A rock shelter that preserves traces of ancient Levantine Rock Art.
Las Fuentes del Losar:
A picturesque recreational area, used as a leisure and play space for children, for picnics and for walks. It is also an important resting and watering place for transhumant livestock.
Palomita Forest:
A woodland area, mainly pine trees, where a humid microclimate provides refuge for numerous plants and over 25 rare and endangered species. In ancient times, it was an area worked by local farmers.
Tossal dels Montllats:
The highest mountain in Vilafranca and one of the tallest in the Valencian Community. It offers great landscape diversity, with wild pine forests, holm oak groves, cultivated areas and mountain meadows. From the top, you can enjoy excellent panoramic views.
Riu de les Truites:
One of the best-preserved riverbeds in the Valencian Community, set in an area of great natural beauty and ecological value due to its flora and fauna.
La Pobla del Bellestar:
One of the finest examples of medieval rural Valencian architecture. Among its most notable buildings and ethnological elements are the Hermitage of San Miguel, the Gothic bridge, the Brusca toll tower, the pond and the mill.
Climbing:
La Gotera is a fully equipped climbing area where climbers can enjoy various routes indicated on the topo map.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
Sant Antoni
Main celebration of winter
Date: Third weekend of January. The first weekend locals go to the mountains to find the trunks and they enter in the town. The second weekend, pumpkin pies are made.
Sant Blai
A mass is celebrated and a traditional festive procession known as Ronda is done in the town center.
Date: Arround the 3rd of February.
Easter
Procession to the Calvary on Holy Wednesday. The celebration of the Cross and Holy Hour comprise other acts these days. On Friday, the procession of the Holy Burial is celebrated. On Sunday, the procession of La Trobada, when two delegations that leave the church through 2 different doors represent the meeting between the Virgin and Christ.
La Pasqua del Llosar
Procession to the shrine of El Llosar, a mass and a popular brunch with pastries and milk. Then the procession returns to the village.
Sant Miquel, Sant Isidro, Sant Pere
time to visit pedestrals or peirons and chapels.
Date: Spring
El Corpus
A procession through the old town. It includes the “Altarets” tables decorated with flowers where children throw petals on the image of Christ.
Heart of Jesús
The Brotherhood of the Heart of Jesus organises the Sunday procession the following day.
Sant Cristòfol
Patron Saint of drivers with dancing and food.
Sant Roc
the most participatory moment of the year, with numerous popular and cultural events for all ages.
Date: August
Festivities focused on the visit to
Festivities focused on the visit to the hermitage of El Llosar. It is a day of procession, mass, popular gathering, musical concert and dancing the popular Ball Pla at night. The days before, there are bulls and dances.
Date: 8th of September
RACES
FAIRS
FAIR OF LA MAGDALENA
The fair of la Magdalena is one of the main events during summer in Vilafranca. Hundreds of exhibitors of livestock, machinery and commercial services gather thousands of people in the town.
Date: July
ANNUAL
RACES
ENTREPARETS RACE
Trail running of high level where you can enjoy the mountain scenery of Vilafranca
Date: Summer
Tourist Office
964 44 14 32 .Plz. C/ Sant Roc, 1. 12150 Vilafranca
High season (approximately from June 15 to September 11):
Wednesday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Low season (approximately from September 16 to June 14):
Friday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.