Cervera Del Maestre – Castle, Trails and Festivals

Cervera Del Maestre makes a striking first impression: Castillo Fortaleza is an Islamic fortress from the 12th century, built on an older caliphal hisn and protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

When comparing holiday apartments in Cervera Del Maestre, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages.

History and townscape

A second historical focal point is the Centro de Interpretación Molí de l’Oli. The olive mill, dating from the 14th to 15th century, is also protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural and now serves as a visitor centre as well as a municipal administration and tourist information office. It offers three options for visits by the general public.

The Molí de l’Oli preserves a wooden beam-and-weight press made in 1606. It also explains the traditional olive oil production process. The fully restored old town has a labyrinthine, Andalusian-style street layout with steep, irregular lanes around the castle and church.

The Casa del Drac regularly hosts art exhibitions and public cultural events, including concerts, poetry readings and live painting. The Church of the Assumption is a Baroque church with a rectangular floor plan, side chapels and altars. The bell tower of Cervera Del Maestre is a Baroque structure with a hexagonal floor plan dating from 1760; its three interior sections are connected by a stone spiral staircase with 105 steps.

Along Calle Mayor, there are coats of arms, historic window inscriptions and houses with arcades on the ground floor, all protected as Bien de Interés Cultural. The former Jewish quarter was located at Forn del Gall square. The medieval building fabric also includes the Antigua lonja medieval, a hall for the wool trade built by the Order of Montesa in the 14th century, with a large room divided into three naves; it was recently restored.

Other places: La Vall D'uixó, Traiguera, Calig, Cortes De Arenoso, Sueras, Villahermosa Del Río, Montán and Palanques.

Trails and landscape

The Ruta senderista 1, el Colomer is a very easy 2-kilometre hiking trail on Monte Colomer near Cervera Del Maestre and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the municipality. The Ruta senderista 2, la Rourera is 8.5 kilometres long and follows narrow paved paths, passing the cistern known as Aljibe de la Llacuna.

The 14-kilometre Ruta interpretativa 2, la Piedra en Seco can be completed on foot, by bicycle or by car along notable dry-stone structures. The different route lengths and means of transport allow a direct comparison between a short viewpoint walk, a longer hike and a route offering several possible modes of travel.

In the area around the Rambla de Cervera, there are five sectors suitable for sport climbing and bouldering, with a total of 120 bouldering problems and 10 to 15 climbing routes equipped with appropriate protection. The Área de la Cova Fonda can be reached via a paved footpath that may begin near the municipal swimming pools. From there, panoramic views extend over the meanders and fertile alluvial plains of the Rambla de Cervera to the coastline visible in the distance.

Cervera Del Maestre has vertical earth fissures ranging from 15 to more than 80 metres deep, suitable for abseiling and subsequent exploration. Speleology is also possible in the caves and fissures, including l’Aliga, El Triangle and Les Bruixes; light sources, an emergency communication device and suitable clothing are recommended for this purpose.

An annual hiking event held in February includes an easy route of 13 to 14 kilometres and a moderately difficult route of 19 to 20 kilometres. The Agustí Ballester Route makes it possible to see works by Agustí Ballester directly at several locations in Cervera Del Maestre.

Pilgrimage, festivals and cuisine

The Ruta del Camino de Santiago runs from Vinaròs via Càlig, Cervera Del Maestre, Sant Mateu and Xert or the hamlet of Anroig to the Santuario de Vallivana. Pilgrim passports can be stamped at the town halls involved. A separate pilgrimage from Cervera Del Maestre to the Royal Sanctuary of the Virgin de la Font de la Salut in Traiguera takes place on the last Sunday in May.

The Easter processions take place on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and are accompanied by brotherhoods, marching bands and religious images. The patronal festival La Mare de Déu de la Costa includes talks, exhibitions, an open-air dance, a high mass and a procession.

The Fira de Nadal takes place on the second weekend of December and presents visitors with local wines, turrón, bread and pastries, cured meats and honey. At the Jornades Gastronòmiques de la Cuina amb Garrofa, visitors can sample Cervera-style dishes with carob and experience new combinations of textures and flavours.

The Trobades de Dracs i Bèsties de Foc takes place annually on the first weekend of July. The programme includes a gathering of several dragons from other places, a medieval market, various performances, a communal meal and traditional dances. At the Foguera de Sant Antoni, the animals are blessed and the traditional, specially made Coquetes del Sant are then distributed.

For the higher-level travel overview: Castellon.