MEDIEVAL CITY OF MORELLA

Less than 2 hours from sun and beach areas crowded by European tourism – British, Germans and French mostly – a beautiful village called Morella, even is now only visited by a lucky few who decide to take trips off the beaten paths&roads.

Throughout these years as travel agent I note that the typology of tourism is changing and increasingly there are people interested in knowing less overcrowded areas, towns rich in history and culture, etc… or at least that is what it says, practice is completely different because at the end the customer falls in the networks of the typical package that sells the tour operator therefore losing these charming villages.

Today I’d like to that you knew a beautiful town in the Valencian Community. In addition to sentimental reasons, because  it’s where I grew up, I decided to choose this location found in the unknown culturally community in the eyes of international tourists. If you make the following question in my neighborhood in the United Kingdom: who know of the Valencian Community in Spain? The answer is: Benidorm, Gandia, Sun, party, paella and sangria. Surprising of many thousands of people, there is more!

We started talking about Morella: opens its doors revealing its towers, which have seen the story, which looked as the King Jaume I came into the city beginning the reconquest. Their castle was one the most impressive fortresses of the Mediterranean. The passage of numerous civilizations, prehistoric, Iberian, Roman, Muslim, Christians have left their mark in this impressive construction continuously inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC.

Each corner encloses stories, legends, alliances and conflicts. The rooms and the courtyard of weapons have been scene of the battles of the Cid Campeador, of Bates as the war of succession, and axis of the Carlist Wars. Their streets have witnessed the Cathar and Austrias times. From the summit you can fly through the sky of Morella, mountain ranges extend to you and the visual, panoramic, descent of the houses at the foot of the Castle will seem a perfectly arquitectural swarm.

The walls surrounding the city of Morella. Although of origin prior to the re-conquest of Jaume I, the current wall dates back to the 14th century-S. XV with the modification of the 18th century from its top. There are 2 kilometers of wall, flanked by Gates 7 and 10, where in their towers currently can find diferents museums.

The door of San Miguel, Sant Mateo, Forcall, King’s Gate, through which enters Jaume I; the centrally, scene of the entrance of the Knight Blasco de Alagón when he took the city from the Muslims; or the door of the fridge, located near the fridge or well where snow was kept. The walls make up the sinuous silhouette of Morella, crowned by the Castle.

The village is dotted with churches and hermitages. In the urban area we can discover the Church of San Miguel, converted into a health centre, is a building of the 17th century, the Church of Sant Joan, or the Church of St. Nicholas, the 13th century Romanesque building late which houses the Museum of the six-year term. In the extensive municipal area there are examples of these buildings, the most Gothic, that arise in natural landscapes and that add details such as term crosses or “Peiró”.

Their most notable temples include the Archpriestal Church of Santa Maria La Mayor, best monument of sacral art in the Mediterranean. This Gothic building gathers in a same facade two doors of great interest, the Apostles and the Virgin. In their interior should make a stop on the spiral staircase that gives access to the choir, as well as the Glory Arcade, last judgement, Churrigueresque Baroque altar, the large and colourful rosettes of original stained glass windows of the Valencian School of the 14th century and the monumental organ, created by Turull, of the Aragonese school, in 1719. Today you can enjoy with the full sound of 4,000 pipes of the organ, especially within the framework of the International Festival of organ music that each month of August is celebrated in the village.

In the city you can discover beautiful palaces and stately homes such as the Casa Piquer (16th century) and the House of the Council and studies (16th century) which housed at their foundations the ancient House of studies school of the village headquarters, located in the Plaza of the studies. The House of the brotherhood of sacrified (17th century), Casa Rovira, where it has the tradition that Saint Vicente Ferrer worked the miracle of resuscitating a child that her mother had offered the Holy sacrifice. Palaces as well as the cardinal Ram (16th century) and converted into a hotel, Palace of the Marquis of Cruïlles (16th century), or the Palace of the Ciurana of Quadres (14th century).

The building of the City Hall, construction of the 14th century, looks majestic in the center of Morella. The building integrates spaces as interesting and attractive as La Lonja, the Gothic halls of the Council and of the Court of Justice. The City Council has witnessed outstanding historical quotations, and possesses the Europa Nostra Award for architectural heritage recovery. In addition, their impressive rooms are permanent setting for art exhibitions, cultural events, congresses and other events.

As travel consultant if you are interested in learning about the region, I recommend the route of 3 Kings.

There is a route off the beaten paths, of local development, which originates from 3 cities – Morella, Alcañiz and Tortosa – and offers a whole set of experiences and feelings about their historical, cultural, gastronomic and ethnographic heritage and nature. A route where to discover:

• alleys full of charm of the historical and artistic ensembles of Morella, Tortosa, Alcañiz.
• walk along historical paths and natural roads between water, forests and valleys.
• greenways where do the route in bicycle with the comfort of enjoying the landscape.
• a rich cuisine of traditional dishes with a designation of origin.
• relax in charming accommodation.

The route has also put into operation the Privilegium tourist card. Therefore, it becomes in the hands of the visitor the possibility to visit the cities of Morella, Alcañiz and Tortosa and other places of the route in a personalized way and with significant discounts on the price of visiting monuments, museums and diferents activities.

Morella has received a distinctive part of the Association of the most beautiful villages of Spain that ranks it as one of the most beautiful villages of the country. The effort for the conservation of these rich heritage is rewarded with this award.

So you know, Morella is one of those jewels that you can not miss.