A small tower on a rugged promontory offers a vivid introduction to the landscape and local history of Patró: Castellot de Alpatró overlooks two ravines and the course of the Gallinera River. There are also hiking trail information and traces of local history in Alpatró. This brings two distinct interests into focus when planning a trip: the tower’s remarkable location and the architectural traces of the past.
Castellot between ravines and river
Castellot de Alpatró is a small square tower with a footprint of 5.7 × 5.8 metres. It stands on the crest of a rugged promontory between two ravines and overlooks the course of the Gallinera; Alpatró lies beyond. The view combines the river course with the village setting, while the tower’s position on the promontory describes its striking location. Historically, Castellot is tentatively dated to the Almohad period, shortly before the Christian conquest.
Hiking trails and getting around Alpatró
The PRCV 147 Benialí–Alpatró is a hiking trail approved by the Mountaineering and Climbing Federation of the Valencian Community. The Route of the Eight Villages reaches Alpatró via Font del Llavador Nou and leaves the village by way of the Joan Pellicer Cultural Centre, heading towards Font Vella. These two details serve different purposes for finding your way: PRCV 147 identifies a hiking trail between Benialí and Alpatró, while the Route of the Eight Villages indicates where it enters and leaves Alpatró. As maintenance of PRCV 147 may change, check the current trail conditions before setting out.
Church and local history
The parish of the Church of the Assumption of Mary was established in 1535. The present-day church was built in part on the remains of an earlier mosque. Together, these details show different aspects of local history: the establishment of the parish and an earlier use of the site as a building. The reference to the former mosque concerns the building history of the present-day church; it does not replace the parish’s own history.
Oil mill, oven and heritage
The Moltó oil mill was purchased and restored by around thirty volunteers from Alpatró. Its history connects a local building with the efforts of people from the village. The mill belonged to Bella’s house, which also had Bella’s bread oven, also known as the Gascó oven. Its structure is still preserved. Thus, alongside the restored mill, there is also a specific detail of the traditional buildings and everyday life of the past. The Museu Almazara de los Moltó is a type of ethnological museum and offers another cultural perspective on the trip.
La Creu de Terme on the old access route
La Creu de Terme is located at the start of the old access route to Alpatró via La Fillola de Baix. Its location gives the monument a direct connection to the village’s former access route. The original La Creu de Terme probably dates from the early 18th century. Unlike the tentative dating of Castellot, this date refers to the original cross and is also expressed cautiously. For travellers interested in culture, the two landmarks differ both in type and in their respective historical dating.
For the broader travel overview: La Vall De Gallinera.
