Ares Del Maestre combines medieval buildings, technological heritage and rock art with a striking landscape. The town sits on a rocky hill overlooking the rugged landscape of El Maestrazgo. If you want to focus on architecture, history and landscape during your stay, you’ll find several distinct themes here.
Rocky Townscape and Striking Plateau
The La Mola d'Ares Municipal Natural Area is a 1,321-metre-high plateau formed by differential erosion and bordered by steep cliffs. The shape of the plateau and its steep edges give the landscape a different character from the town’s architectural history. You can therefore plan your trip according to whether you are most interested in historic heritage, the surrounding landscape, or both.
Architectural History Around Plaça Major
The historic centre around Plaça Major includes a former prison and an old market hall. Both buildings date from the 13th century and were built in the Gothic style. Their different former functions—a prison and a market—are set alongside a shared period and architectural style. This brings into focus not only two historic buildings, but also two different roles in town life.
The Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady is a Baroque church dating from the 18th century. Its smaller bell tower is the surviving part of an earlier Gothic church. The church thus brings together two building phases: the Baroque church and the remaining tower from an older Gothic church.
The remains of Ares del Maestrat Castle stand on a rocky plateau at the highest point of the town. The medieval fortress was built over the remains of an earlier Roman structure. This sequence reveals two distinct architectural periods in the same place: the earlier Roman structure and the medieval fortress built above it.
Mills, Snow Pits and Rock Art
The Barranc dels Molins preserves an 18th-century hydraulic engineering complex with five flour mills. The complex connects technological history with a practical purpose: the mills were used to produce flour. It thus complements the churches and fortifications with an example of industrial and ethnological heritage.
The Nevera de los Regatxols was built in the 17th century as a snow storage facility. After its restoration in 2005, it became an interpretation centre. At the Museo de la Nevera de la Font dels Regatxols, a snow pit eight metres deep is part of the visit and can be explored. Visits to the museum must be arranged by phone. Be sure to call ahead to arrange your visit before travelling.
The Cova RemĂgia offers another perspective on cultural heritage: it contains more than 750 figures depicting a wide range of Levantine rock art themes. Seven distinct periods of use have been dated for the rock shelter. The figures describe the image motifs, while the seven periods refer to the shelter’s use at different times.
Ermita de Santa Elena: Architecture and Pilgrimage
The Ermita de Santa Elena is an 18th-century chapel in the rural Baroque style, with a painted interior. The annual pilgrimage there has taken place on the first Sunday in May since 1742. If you are planning to travel for the pilgrimage, check the specific event dates in advance.
The chapel is located at the masĂa of the same name, five kilometres from the municipality. From Ares Del Maestre, it can be reached via the CV-15 towards Vilafranca, followed by a track. Check local road and track conditions before setting out so you can take the described route into account when planning your journey.
Discover more destinations: Argelita, Salsadella, Almenara, Vall D'alba, Montanejos, Viver, Portell De Morella, Assuévar.
For the broader travel guide: Castellon.
