Discover Alfondeguilla: Nature, History and Holiday Apartments

Part of the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park lies within the municipality of Alfondeguilla. More than 100 bird species from 30 different families can be found in the natural park.

Other destinations: Arañuel, Cinctorres, Barracas, Zorita Del Maestrazgo, Montanejos, Traiguera, Algimia de Almonacid, Alcudia de Veo

Nature and Trails

The L’Arquet Route in Alfondeguilla is a circular trail that starts on Calle Molí. It is 5.7 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 180 metres, takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and is technically considered easy. The Aljibes Route leads to rainwater cisterns built using dry-stone construction techniques and combines local history, nature and tradition.

A linear route runs along the CV-230 between Alfondeguilla and La Vall d’Uixó. It recalls the former route taken to work at Fábrica Segarra and includes a rest area and an information board about the birds of Castelló Sud. The route is 3 kilometres long and takes approximately 45 minutes. The route passing Castillo de Castro, Mina de Cantallops and the Denàs trenches starts at 9:00 a.m. at Alfondeguilla’s church square and ends there at 2:30 p.m. The different distances and times can be compared directly.

History and Buildings

The St. Bartholomew Parish Church is a simple, small church with a single nave and interconnected side chapels. The parish church of San Bartolomé is listed on the L’Arquet Route as an 18th-century church. The Pont de l’Aigua crosses the Belcaire River gorge on six arches, is still in use and can be viewed from the CV-230 road.

Calvario is freely accessible; the associated hermitage is opened for festive occasions on the third Sunday in November. El Castellet is an important attraction in the municipality, with picturesque streets and an old town centre. L’Arquet is considered an important example of Roman hydraulic architecture.

The Nevera de Castro is a reconstructed building used to store snow and later to produce ice. It lies at an elevation of 800 metres and has a circular shaft 12.50 metres deep, with a capacity of 420 cubic metres. Els Pous de Cantallops is a former 19th-century mercury mine in the Fontanelles area, with a vertical shaft approximately 30 metres deep carved into the rock.

Castillo de Castro can be classified as an Arab fortification and former watchtower on the eponymous 789-metre-high peak; its surviving remains date from the Islamic civilisation, are abandoned and lie between two deep gorges. The restored defensive installations of the XYZ Line on Mount Denàs include underground shelters and a bunker on the 535-metre-high summit, which serves as a viewpoint over the surrounding area. An inscription inside records that these installations were built by Pioneer Battalion No. 20 of the People’s Army of the Republic in mid-July 1938.

Festivals and Village Life

The patron-saint festivals in honour of San Bartolomé and San Francisco Javier take place on the second Sunday and Monday in November and also include a market with regional products. The Passion play in Alfondeguilla takes place on the Saturday evening before Palm Sunday, passes through the town centre and ends at Calvario; it is organised by the Mans Obertes theatre group.

Regional Cuisine

SaboreArte is a gastronomic experience in Alfondeguilla during which the kitchen and service team explains what the products used are, where they come from and according to which criteria the restaurant purchases them. SaboreArte takes place on Fridays from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. and is open to hotel guests and restaurant guests with advance reservation.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Castellon.