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The province of Castellón stretches 112 km along the Mediterranean coast
of Spain forming the so-called Costa Azahar. Castellon is one of the most mountainous
provinces in the whole of Spain and offers countless opportunities for travellers
who enjoy rural tourism, mountain walks, sleepy villages.
On the coast,
the beautiful, well maintained beaches along the 'Costa Azahar' receive thousands
of visitors every year. In addition to tourism, ceramics and agriculture are other
important industries in the province.
Castellón de la Plana is a historical
city dating back to medieval times (13th century). It is situated between the
sea and the 'Desert de les Palmas' mountain range and has a population of 140,000.
Nowadays, the city is both modern and historical. The old quarter around the Plaza
Mayor, the Plaza de Santa Clara and the Plaza de la Pescadería has many ancient
buildings.
Things to do and see in Castellon:
Walks: The city isn´t very big and it is very pleasant to walk
around its orange-tree lined streets. A stroll around the old quarter (the Plaza
de Santa Clara the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de la Pescadería and adjacent streets)
where you can see Gothic and renaissance buildings is a must. Also a walk along
the 'Avenida Rey Don Jaime' gives you another perspective of the city - its full
of modern buildings and shops. In the Ribalta park, you can see the people of
Castellon taking their daily walk or just passing the time of day. Another meeting
point is the 'Plaza de la Paz', next to the 'Teatro Principal'. A visit to the
'Fadri' shouldn´t be missed.
- El Fadri: This
is a 16th century, 58 metre high octagonal bell tower. It is the symbol of the
city and is located between the Cathedral and the Abbey. The bell tower not only
rings on the hour but it is also used to announce important city events.
- Plaza de Santa Clara: an open square which also serves as the
market place. It has a system of modern archways which go all around the square.
You can also see a modern sculpture by Llorenç Poy.
Palaces, Cathedrals
and Churches in Castellon: - Saint Miquel Palace: 15th century
- located between 'la Lonja' and the 'Plaza Mayor'. The main door has interesting,
ornate carvings.
- The Town Hall: 18th century, Tuscan style
- it has amazing arched windows. Inside you can find sculptures by Viciano and
Benlliure and paintings by Oliet, Foz, Puig Roda, Pocar and Doménechs.
- The
Santa María de la Asunción Cathedral: 13th century, rebuilt in a Gothic style
in the 14th century. Demolished during the civil war it was rebuilt again in 1940
(remaining to this day unfinished). Some original artifacts remain such as carvings
dating back to the 17th century, crosses used in processions and tapestries by
Oliet and Ribalta.
- The Santa María de Lladó Basilica: originally
built above an ancient chapel, a statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered in the
14th century. It was renovated in the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the
statue of the virgin you can also see ancient canvas paintings and ornate silver
and gold objects.
- San Miguel church: 18th century - Barroque style
interior, it is used for historical exhibitions.
- Las Capuchinas Convent:
18th century, it has paintings by Zurbarán and scultpures from 17th - 18th
centuries.
- San Agustín church and Convent: Barroque facade. There
are frescos on the dome and paintings by Oliet in the chapel.
Museums
in Castellon: - The Bellas Artes Museum: Located in an 18th
century this museum was opened in 1980. It is divided into 4 sections: archeology
- Paleolithic to the middle ages, ceramics - over 1000 pieces, paintings - Ribera,
Romero de Torres, Rodrigo de Osona, Sorolla and sculptures - Adsuana, Viciano,
Gandarias and Benllieure.
- The Ethnological Museum: Opened in 1983,
it contains old fashioned tools from various professiones such as: weaving, blacksmiths,
shoe makers, fabric makers, tailors...
- The Fadrell Municipal Ethnological
Museum: located in a green area next to the 18th century Sant Jaume of Fadrell
hermitage. Collection reflects rural and traditional customs of the province.
- The Santa María de la Asunción Cathedral Mueum: Religious art
from different periods. Works of art Joan de Reixach and Nicolau Falcó.
- Lonja
del Canamo: 17th century. It has 4 arches with Tuscan pillars.
- The
Casino: built in 1922 in a modernist style.
- The 'TeatroPrincipal'
(theatre): late 19th century, neoclassic. It has paintings by Pedro Ferrer
and Francisco Perez Olmos. Located in the Plaza de la Paz.
- The Orphanage
- Casa dels Orfens : 19th century, founded by bishop José Climent.
- The Ribalta Park: next to the station. popular with the people
from Castellon for strolling around and relaxing. You can see many different types
of vegetation there. During fiestas it has an arts and craft fair.
- The
Royo Gomez Geological Gardens
- The Calduch Botanic Gardens
The Planetarium: The latest cultural addition to Castellon.
It has a permanent exhibition and screenings.
Sports: Sailing,
fishing, winsurfing, diving, hiking, horseriding and cycling are jsut some of
the sports you can do in Castellon. There are 3 golf courses (2 in Castellon and
1 in Borriel). There is also an aerodrome (el aeródromo del Pinar) .  Cuisine
from Castellón: It is based on fish and rice dishes as in the rest of Levante.
We recommend the prawns, shellfish, sardines and anchovies. Typical dishes are
grilled fish, seafood, paellas, rice dishes with fish or meat (especially chicken
or rabbit). Also the 'Tombet del Maestrazgo' which is a type of soup. Typical
desserts are aniseed flavoured sweet pastry rings, sweet pastries with raisins
and walnuts, sweet almonds and any dessert containing oranges.
Eating
in Castellon: you can get some very good tapas especially in the bars in the
'Plaza de Santa Clara' and its adjacent streets. You can also find some very good
restaurants and tapas bars located in the Grao district around the port.
Restaurants in Castellon
Restaurants in the province
of Castellon: Casa Jaime in Peñiscola (964 480 030) creative seafood cuisine;
Casa Pocho in Vinarós (964 451 095) seafood; El Faro de Vinarós (964 456 362)
innovative and creative cuisine; Can Roig in Alcalá de Xivert (964 412 515); Mesón
de la Vila in Forcall (964 17 11 25) traditional cuisine; Casa Roque in Morella
(964 16 03 36) traditional cuisine; El Langostino de Oro in Vinarós (964 45 12
04) Restaurants in the centre of Castellón: Peñalén (964 234 131)
Mediteranean and Basque cuisine; Rafael in El Grao (964 281 626) seafood; Tasca
del Puerto in the Grao district (964 284 481) traditional cuisine and good quality
seafood marred by slow service, very crowded and overpriced food; Pairal (964
233 404) seafood.
Hotels en Castellón: See our guide to the best
hotels in Castellón and the Costa Azahar. See also Parador
of Benicarlo. Castellón Province : There is a marked difference
between the coast and the interior of the province. Villages on the coast have
excellent clean beaches with marinas and watersports facilities and with an average
temperature of 17 degrees they are a good option for a relaxing holiday. The best
known beaches are Benicassim, Peñíscola, Vinarós, Oropesa de Mar and Benicarló.
The interior is quite different, the climate is cooler and there are only a few
touristic areas (Morella, Segorbe, Benasal). Villages in Castellón:
 Els
Ports: Interior. - Forcall: Plaza Mayor 16th century, Asunción
church 14th century, Escalotes Palace.
- Morella:
Walled medieval town. St. María la Mayor Basilican15th century. Good for rural
tourism.
- El Maestrazgo de San Mateo: Good for rural tourism.
- La
Plana Alta (Plana Alta): coast.
- Benicassim: Beach town,
good nightlife.
- Oropesa de Mar: Beach town with a marina.
- Vilafamés:
Medieval town. Contemporary Art Museum.
- Borriol: Remains of
a Roman town plus prehistoric remains. good golf course
- L'Alt Maestrat
(Alto Maestrazgo): interior. Agricultural. Famous for its textile industry.
- Ares del Maestre: Originally a walled Roman city, later
it was taken over by the muslims. Prehistoric cave with wall paintings.
- Villafranca
del Cid: Important monumental heritage dating back to the 13th century.
Remains of the 14th century city can still be seen.
- Benassal:
walled city, 14th century. Caves with wall paintings. World heritage site since
1998. Touristic.
- La Plana Baixa (Plana Baja): Coast.
- Burriana:
The Orange Museum and El Salvador 13th century, Gothic church.
- Vall
d'Uixó: San José caves. Interesting old quarter, Arabic-Medieval.
- Vila-Real:
Famous for its ceramic tiles and agriculture.
- Moncofar: Beach
resort. L'Estanyol - natural reserve with great scenery.
- Onda:
Tile industry, remains of 13th century medieval city.
- Ribesaltes:
Tile industry, Arabic history..
- El Baix Maestrat (Bajo Maestrazgo):
Coast.
- Alcossebre: Beach resort.
- Benicarló:
Fishing village.
- Peñíscola: Papa Luna castle, 13th century.
Busy beach resort. Walled medieval city.
- Vinarós: Fishing
village- good for prawns.
Alcalá de Xivert: - Alto Palencia: interior.
- Segorbe:Famous for its fiestas with bulls. Given special
touristic status in 1985.
- Caudiel: Picturesque village. Iberian-Roam
remains. It has a windmill.
- L'Alcalaten: interior.
- Alcora:
Interesting historical remains. Ceramics
- Lucena del Cid: Bronze
age remains. Medieval castle.
- L'Alt Millars (Alto Mijares): interior.
- Fuente la Reina
- Montanejos: Moorish village.
Spa baths. Touristic.
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