Morella
Morella is a small town in Castellón (province).
Understand
Morella has been inhabited since the earliest of times, as attested by nearby cave paintings and Bronze Age graves. The fortified hilltop which dominates the town has been controlled by many different groups through the ages, including the Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Moors, and finally Christians. Morella was the scene of fierce fighting during the Spanish War of Succession, the Napoleonic Wars, the Carlist Wars, and most recently the Spanish Civil War. In 1938 Franco's forces seized the town, but Republican guerillas remained active in the nearby mountains until 1956.
During Franco's dictatorship the population declined dramatically as residents sought employment in the cities, but after the return of democracy it began to rebound. Today tourism is a primary source of income, and the town has been actively taking steps to enable its eventual nomination for listing as a UNESCO world heritage site.
- 1 Tourist Office, Placet de Sant Miquel, 3, ☏ +34 34 964 173 032, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-19:00, Su M 10:00-14:00.
Get in
The easiest way to get to Morella is by car. The town lies on the regional motorway N-232, about an hour west of Vinaròs.
From Castellón, Autos Mediterráneo (tel. +34 964 220 054, [email protected]) runs a bus twice a day on weekdays and once on Saturdays. The journey takes two and a quarter hours; a full schedule can be downloaded here.
Get around
See
- 1 Castell de Morella (Castillo de Morella / Morella Castle). Winter daily 11:00-18:00, summer daily 11:00-20:00; last admission 1 hr before closing; closed on some public holidays, w/special opening hrs on Corpus Christi and St. Roc Day. Entrance in the monastery (Placet de Sant Francesc, 1). €3 (adults), €1.50 (seniors/disabled/children under 16).
- Muralles Medievals (Murallas Medievales / Medieval Walls).
- 2 Porta de Sant Miquel (Torres de San Miguel / Gate of St. Michael).
- 3 Aqüeducte de Santa Llúcia (Acueducto de Morella / Séquia Reial).
- 4 Ajuntament (Ayuntamiento / Town Hall), Carrer Segura Barreda, 28, ☏ +34 964 160 034. M-F 10:00-14:00.
Do
Buy
Eat
Morella is known for its truffles, which are in season from February to early March. A local special pastry is the flaó (plural: flaons), made with cinnamon, cheese, and almonds.
- 1 Casa Roque, Cuesta San Juan 1 (corner of C/ Segura Barreda), ☏ +34 964 160 336, [email protected]. Tu-F 09:00-16:00 19:30-23:30, Sa 10:00-16:00 19:30-24:00, Su 12:00-16:00. Serves modern versions of regional cuisine, including stews, lamb with truffles, and pastries; it is especially known for truffle dishes. Also offers cooking courses (in Spanish).
- 2 Mesón del Pastor, Costa de Jovani, 7, ☏ +34 964 160 249, [email protected]. Su-Tu Th 13:00-16:30, F Sa 13:00-16:30 21:00-23:00. The family-run restaurant serves Morellan dishes, and is especially known for its olla de recapte, a traditional stew of chickpeas, cecina (a cured meat similar to ham, usually from beef), chicken, and potatoes. Set menu €14.
- 3 Restaurante Daluan, Callejón de La Carcel, 4, ☏ +34 964 160 071, [email protected]. Su-Tu Th 13:00-16:00, F Sa 13:00-16:00 21:00-22:30. The small, modern restaurant serves creative cuisine with a focus on seafood. Also has a tapas menu. Set menu €40, wine extra.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Rey Don Jaime, C/ Juan Giner, 6, ☏ +34 964 160 911. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 08:00-12:00. Has an onsite restaurant which can accommodate vegetarians, and has non-smoking rooms and free Wi-Fi. Doubles €65+, including breakfast; parking €9.50/day.
- 2 Casa Rural José Trullenque, C/ Cuesta Arrapat, s/n, ☏ +34 964 160 362, [email protected]. Check-in: 12:00-20:00, check-out: 08:00-18:00. Has two holiday apartments, each with kitchenette and fireplace, terrace, and washing machine. Free Wi-fi and free parking; pets permitted for no extra charge. €70+, cash only.