The Maestrazgo district has a bright, picturesque coastline with a backdrop formed by mountains and sierras that mark the limits of the hinterland. This stretch of the northern coast of Castell ón province extends from Vinaròs in the north to Alcalà de Xivert and Alcossebre in the south. Towns along the coast look to the sea for their living, with economies fueled by the Mediterranean's rich potential. This district, named after the mountains of the interior, was traditionally called the Baix Maestrat, or lower Maestrat.
Vinaròs, a fishing port famous for its fresh prawns, has an urban layout which is well-adapted to meet the demands of today's sun and fun tourism. The city lies on a coastal plain from which a hill known as Monte Puig rises up, capped by a 16th-C chapel dedicated to San Sebastian and Our Lady of Mercy, patron saints of Vinaròs. The view from the hilltop on a fine day includes the Columbretes islands off the coast and the Ebro river delta to the north. In the town, the parochial church of the Assumption (listed as an historic-artistic monument) is a fine example of Renaissance Gothic architecture with a Baroque façade. Also of note is the Sant Agustí convent. Vinaròs has 12km of seafront, along which coves and cliffs alternate with wide expanses of sandy beaches such as the Forí beach located in front of the town. This has spurred tourist development in Vinaròs, making it the ideal site for a pleasant holiday.
FIESTASCarnivals, August Festivities, June Fiestas (San Juan and San Pedro).
SIGHTSArchpriest's Church of the Assumption, Church of St Augustine (18th C).
MUSEUMSMunicipal Museum, 964 40 77 00
Benicarló dates back to the Arab domination of Spain some ten centuries ago when a farmstead called Beni-Gazló was founded. Factors such as the population's dedication to agriculture, the fertility of local soil and the town's proximity to the Roman Road probably sparked off renewed growth in this town, which was given walls and a moat following the Reconquest to compensate for its lack of natural protection. In later centuries the town walls were pulled down to provide room for expansion, reaching its moment of maximum splendour in the 19th century when large quantities of wine were exported from here. In 1920 Benicarló farmlands were replanted with orange trees, other fruit trees and vegetables. The local economy was based on light industries and fishing. The port is still important, and has been enlarged to provide moorings for pleasure boats as well. Benicarló's tourist trade is substantial, and there is a national Parador located here, on the coast connecting Benicarló to the beaches of Peñíscola.
FIESTASFallas (March 19th), San Bartolomé (the week of August 24th), "Torosà la mar" (Bulls, Overboard!), St. Anthony (January 17th), Artichoke Festival (3rd Week in January)
SIGHTSSt. Bartholomew's Church (18th C)San Francisco Convent
MUSEUMSMunicipal Museum of History and Archaeology
The town of Alcalà de Xivert has a monumental belltower measuring 68 metres in height - visible across the entire valley in which the town is located. Protected by the Irta and Murs mountains, the town has a large municipal area extending over an alluvial plain and reaching down to the sea at the tourist centres of Las Fuentes, Alcossebre and Capicorb. The Order of the Knights of Montesa left the town a heritage in the form of its castle, a fortress that enabled Medieval troops to keep a close watch on the movements of enemies on land and sea. The sports marina of Las Fuentes, the attractive beaches and tourist resorts of Alcossebre, and a number of bars and restaurants make this area an excellent spot for a holiday. It is very popular among people involved in the art world as well as in business.
SIGHTSParochial Church and Belltower (18th C)
MUSEUMSParochial Museum San Juan Bautista 964 41 02 83
FIESTASSt John the Baptist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2nd fortnight of August), Patron Saint festivities in Alcossebre (September)
A SHIP AT SEAThe Castle of Pope Pedro Luna (Benedict XIII) jutting out to sea is the emblem of the town of Peñíscola, whose history reaches back to a past of knights in armour and stone fortresses. In this town the ancient castle coexists with common yet colourful folk who have made Peñíscola a beach resort for year-round enjoyment. The peninsula on which the old town is built looks much like a ship anchored at sea, with an isthmus connecting it to the fertile mainland. From the rocky cliffs dropping down from the highest part of the town, pope Benedict XIII defended his legitimacy in opposition to the pope of Avignon during the Great Schism in the 15th century.Strolling along the beautiful north beach of Peñíscola, the castle looms large and defiant, towering high above the whitewashed fishermen's houses and the shops lining narrow streets. The north zone has broad sandy beaches giving way to fertile farmland just a few metres inland. To the south, the lower slopes of the Irta mountains interrupt the flat northern plains and harbour coves and cliffs that make access to the southern coast difficult at first and then practically impossible. These rugged lands were used by the Knights Templar as a strategic outpost, and a castle was built over an ancient Moorish fort on top of the Irta mountains. This gave them a means of surveying the coast from north and south for miles on end. Today, there is a fine view of the town of Peñíscola from the remains of this castle.
SIGHTSCastle and palace (15th-C Papal residence)
MUSEUMSMuseum of the Sea, & 964 48 16 03
FIESTASOur Lady of the HermitageMoors and Christians (mid-September)
The privileged location of the coastal mountain district of the Maestrazgo is shown, among other things, by its gastronomic emphasis on seafood dishes. You might like to try its rice specialities, fish and shellfish (sea dates, razor clams), and above all the delicious prawns from Vinaròs, Peñíscola and other coastal areas. These are only some of the pleasures you will enjoy while visiting. In addition, the rich soil provides other delights such as artichokes from Benicarló, a product which, like fine wines, now has its own denomination of origin. For dessert, local confectioners delight the senses with sweets such as: pastissos de cabellos de ángel (pumpkin pastries) in Vinaròs; coc rapit (sponge cake) and carquinyols (crunchy almond biscuits) in Benicarló, just to mention a few possibilities.
ALCALÀ DE XIVERT/ALCOSSEBREFrom the A-7 motorway (junction 44) and the N-340. Valencia airport at 126km.
BENICARLÓFrom the A-7 motorway (junction 43) and the N-340. Valencia airport at 149km.
PEÑÍSCOLAFrom the A-7 motorway (junction 43) and the N-340. Valencia airport at 149km.
VINARÒSFrom the A-7 motorway (junction 42) and the N-340. Valencia airport at 154km.