The Borriol Valley follows the Borriol River and connects the coastal plain with the inland area. The terrain is mostly mountainous; land suitable for farming and livestock raising is found mainly in the river valley. These contrasts give the place a distinct character: water, the use of the land and historic structures are as much a part of the picture as paths through the cultural landscape. Depending on your interests, you can get to know Borriol through its archaeological traces, sacred art or traditional building methods.

History and architecture in Borriol

La Moreria was the neighbourhood where Borriol’s Moriscos lived until their expulsion in 1609. Excavations have uncovered paved streets and simple multi-storey houses. Other finds include an irrigation channel, cisterns, a lime kiln and an underground grain store. These different structures offer insight into the neighbourhood’s streets, homes, water use and storage. They provide a tangible counterpoint to later church buildings and surviving evidence of craftsmanship for anyone looking to explore the town’s history.

The church of Sant Bartomeu was built in the 16th century on the site of an earlier building dating from the 13th century. Its Baroque murals date from the late 17th century and are located on the ceiling of the presbytery. They depict episodes from the life of the saint. The building’s history and paintings thus point to different periods: the earlier building predates the present church, while the paintings were added later.

The Ermita de Sant Vicent Ferrer also connects a historic site with a later building. The structure dates from the 17th century and stands at the place where the Valencian saint preached in the 15th century. From the Ermita, there are panoramic views of Borriol’s town centre, the Castillo and La Moreria. The visible remains of the Castillo de Borriol are of Arab origin; a path leads there from the town. As path conditions may change, check them before setting out.

Museum, water engineering and dry-stone landscape

The Museu d’Història de Borriol, or MUHBO for short, is housed in the Casa de la Vila, a neoclassical building dating from the late 18th century. A Gothic pointed arch from the 15th-century Casa del Consejo is also preserved there. The museum’s Roman room houses the Mil·liari de Borriol, a stone milestone with an epigraphic inscription. The second floor displays ethnological objects related to Borriol’s traditional stonework. The MUHBO thus brings Roman and medieval artefacts together with objects connected to local craftsmanship.

The mountainous areas of Borriol are home to numerous dry-stone structures: terraces, stone huts, shelters, cisterns, and lime or cement kilns. Dry-stone building is part of the town’s culture, history and landscape, and continues to be passed down from generation to generation. The historic irrigation heritage also includes channels, basins and other structures for using the water around the Borriol River. Together, these structures offer a distinct way to explore the cultural landscape, alongside the archaeological finds and sacred architecture.

The rock paintings of La Joquera were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, together with dozens of sites featuring Levantine rock art. They form another part of Borriol’s cultural heritage. The Ruta de la Joquera is a circular route with numerous cultural and natural sights along the way. Bilingual signs provide the scientific names of plants and animals; translations into English and French are also available. As signage and path conditions may change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting off.

Walking routes, cycling and getting there

There is a cycling route in Borriol with a relatively gentle gradient, making it suitable for families and children too. One BTT route is the longest BTT route in the municipality. Information about these activities offers different points of reference for planning a bike ride, without adding a specific route or difficulty level.

There is a public bus service from the municipal area to Castelló, operated by Autos Mediterráneo. The stops are along Avenida de Zaragoza. As operators and service arrangements may change, check the latest timetable before travelling.

If you are looking for a hotel in Borriol, you can choose according to your planned interests: archaeological traces, sacred architecture, the MUHBO collection or paths through the cultural landscape. This makes it easy to decide which aspect of the town you would like to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Almenara, Jérica, Palanques, Cirat, La Llosa, Portell De Morella, Benasal, Sarratella.

For the overview of the wider region: Castellon.