Discover Chiva De Morella: Trails, Ermita and Holiday Apartments

Chiva De Morella can be explored via trails and structures around Xiva de Morella. Two linear routes offer different highlights: the PR-CV 216 leads from Morella to Xiva de Morella, while the PR-CV 217 runs from Xiva de Morella to Forcall. The PR-CV 216 is six kilometres long and has an estimated walking time of two hours; the PR-CV 217 measures 13 kilometres.

The different lengths and the estimated walking time provide an objective basis for comparison when planning your own outing. Nature, history, religious tradition and rural architectural forms appear as distinct themes. The routes can therefore be read in terms of more than just kilometres: one connects woodland and the source of a river, while the other combines a road, forest track, bridge and mill into a sequence with a different character.

Trails

On the PR-CV 216, the trail passes through a small pine forest to Xiva and reaches the Ermita del Roser at the source of the Xiva River. The PR-CV 217 leaves Xiva via the town’s main road and then continues onto a forest track. The route crosses the Río Bergantes over a large wooden bridge and passes through an old mill.

Culture

House No. 24 on Calle Mayor was Xiva’s former hospital. At the entrance there is a round arch with a plaque above it dated 1551. The original Ermita del Roser was built in 1242; the present-day Ermita and the Calvary were constructed between 1890 and 1895. The ensemble is designated as a Bien de Relevancia Local.

The Virgen del Roser is Xiva’s patron saint; her feast takes place on the second weekend of August. Every five years, the Quinquenni is celebrated, during which the image is carried from the Ermita to Xiva. The ensemble of the Santuario de la Virgen del Roser comprises the Ermita, the hermit’s house, the Calvary and the Capelleta vella de la Virgen del Roser.

The dates and the different types of buildings offer several ways of interpreting the site: a plaque, a religious ensemble, a festival calendar and the components of a Masía do not represent the same aspect. This separation keeps the local history just as clear as the two differently designed routes.

Traditional Architectural Forms

Mas de Mejora preserves the typical layout of a traditional Masía, with a dwelling, livestock sheds and a hayloft. The construction consists of dry stone masonry and rammed earth. Among the surviving features are the original wooden balcony, the double-leaf entrance door and wooden livestock fences. The Masía was abandoned in the 20th century.

Other places in this selection: Ortells.

A small covered fountain stands beside the old path that connected Xiva with Morella. It has access steps and a side wall to prevent landslides; all the elements are built using traditional dry-stone techniques.

For the higher-level travel overview: Morella.