La Mata de Morella lies at an altitude of over 820 metres and is surrounded by the Cantavieja and La Cuba rivers. History, traditional festivals and hiking trails offer different ways to shape a stay: you can explore the town’s architectural history, plan a seasonal experience or discover the landscape along a route.
Historic centre and buildings
La Nevera stands in the historic centre. The building was constructed in the early 17th century and renovated in the 18th century. A large pit was used to store collected snow: thick layers of snow alternated with layers of straw to preserve the temperature. Today, La Nevera houses an ethnological museum about espardenya footwear. Check current visiting arrangements before your visit.
El Horno y el Mercado de la Lana also tells the story of the building’s former uses: it was first a wool market and later a communal bakery. The former oven continues to serve as a meeting place; the Mesón del Forn restaurant is located in the building. If you would like to dine there, check in advance whether the restaurant is currently open.
The Palacio del Ayuntamiento is an example of 16th-century Aragonese civil architecture. An inscription on the building bears the date 1564; the former prison is in the basement. Several construction phases can be distinguished at the Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de las Nieves: the apse, sacristy, two side chapels, triumphal arch and bell tower date from the late 16th century, while newer parts were added from 1862 onwards.
The Casa Palacio de los Pedro y La Figuera is a palatial manor house dating from the late 16th or early 17th century. Its ashlar façade is topped by a small wooden eave and an arcaded gallery, characteristic features of Aragonese civil architecture. The 17th-century Ermitas de Santa Barbara form an ensemble with an adjoining two-storey building. The Ermita de San Gil was built in 1786 and restored for worship after renovation; check visiting arrangements before your visit.
Two peirons, or wayside crosses, dating from the 14th century are among the town’s Gothic landmarks. Replicas can be seen at their original locations: the Peiró de les Canals stands at the entrance to the town from Olocau, and the Peiró de Sant Gil is on the road from Forcall. The narrow, historic streets add to the picture of La Mata’s past.
Festivals and seasonal traditions
San Antonio is celebrated in La Mata on the third weekend of January. The programme includes a bonfire, the blessing of animals, evening events, a cellar tour and communal meals by the fire. La festa de l’Onso is held annually and symbolises the end of winter and the beginning of spring. A person dressed in animal skins represents a bear: they are symbolically hunted in the forest and brought to the village, then parade through the town with residents and visitors. Details may vary from one edition to another; as the date changes each year, check the information for your intended travel year.
Hiking trails and river landscapes
The PR-CV 229 La Mata circular route is 8.40 kilometres long. It showcases examples of dry-stone architecture, crosses the Cantavieja River twice and passes the Mas de les Clapisses. For a different route, the PR-CV 247 leads to the Carrasca de Guaita, a distinctive tree and viewpoint overlooking La Mata de Morella. The tree, also known as the Carrasqueta de la Guaita, is centuries old and stands on the summit of Tossal mountain.
The natural landscape includes vegetation, fauna and rivers, as well as paths and PR and GR routes of varying difficulty. Les Calderetes are natural pools formed by the river near La Mata; water levels may vary seasonally. When choosing a route, you can therefore distinguish between the specific circular trail of the PR-CV 229, the viewpoint destination of the PR-CV 247 and other trails in the natural area, without assuming they all have the same difficulty or duration.
Crafts and special experiences
The seasonal “Paisatges Medievals” experience includes visits to saffron fields around the October flowering season. It lasts approximately four hours and must be booked in advance; check the booking conditions before your trip. The honey workshop explains how honey is produced, introduces local varieties and offers tastings and workshops. At the Espardenyeria, visitors can learn about shoes made on site and the process used to make them. For visits to the honey workshop and the Espardenyeria, it is advisable to check current availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Derramador, L'olleria, Estivella, La Pobla Del Duc, Chera, El Palomar, Camp de TĂşria, BenisanĂł.
For the main travel overview: Valencia.
