Discover La Yesa: Nature, Culture and Holiday Apartments

La Yesa is part of the Gúdar-Javalambre Starlight Reserve, making it a place of particular interest to astronomy and stargazing enthusiasts. Night-sky observation, culture, trails, landscapes and regional cuisine stand side by side as different thematic highlights.

Culture

The parish church of La Yesa dates back to the 17th century and was completed in 1622 in the Renaissance style. It burned down in 1840 in connection with the Carlist Wars and was rebuilt by 1852. The municipality includes four hermitages: San Roque, San Sebastián, San Juan and Nuestra Señora de Belén in Casa de las Hoyas; the last-mentioned has fallen into disrepair. The traditional Lavadero washhouse is still used by local residents.

Every year in July and August, a handmade exhibition of medieval paintings on stoneware ceramics is organised. On 16 July, celebrations are held in honour of the patron saint, Virgen del Carmen; in August, patron-saint festivities take place, featuring decorated arches in the streets and traditional costumes such as the “salla roya”. The parish church, the four hermitages and the Lavadero, which is still in use, each highlight different aspects of the town’s history. The exhibition and festivities complement these buildings with cultural events held during clearly defined periods.

Cuisine

Olla de pueblo is a local dish made with rice, local beans and turnips. It is slowly cooked in a clay pot over a wood fire in the hearth. The craft beer “Galana” is produced in La Yesa. Olla de pueblo and Galana represent two different culinary points of interest: a slow-cooked dish and a beer produced locally.

Trails

Among the hiking trails, the Ruta del Castellar is particularly noteworthy. The Ruta de los Arcos is a town walk showcasing arches and noble coats of arms on houses and manor houses. At the Poblado Íbero del Castellar, visitors can find remains of an Iberian settlement or Iberian cart tracks. The destinations mentioned therefore already differ in form: the Ruta del Castellar represents a hiking trail, the Ruta de los Arcos a walk through the town, and the Poblado Íbero del Castellar an archaeological site. These three ways of exploring combine movement, the townscape and history without describing the same experience.

Landscape

Forest, waterfall and viewpoint can be considered separate landscape features. El Carrascal is a holm-oak forest with some centuries-old specimens. Vallonquer is characterised by pine forests and has a waterfall. The summit of La Ceja includes a viewpoint with panoramic views. Thus, El Carrascal, Vallonquer and La Ceja represent three differently characterised landscape features: ancient holm oaks, pine forest with a waterfall, and a summit with a viewpoint.

Other destinations: La Barraca d'Aigües Vives, Burjassot, Genovés, La Font D'en Carròs, Bellreguard, Canet D'en Berenguer, Piles and Enguera

For the main travel overview: Valencia.