The Iberian remains found bear testimony to the former settlement in these lands. In Roman times, with the passage of the Via Augusta through Vilanova d'Alcolea, the Roman station of Ildum is created, and the town is settled definitively. For defensive reasons, the Arabs moved the town to higher ground (known as an ‘altozano’), protecting it with walls, as well as a small tower, hence the name Alcolea (derived form of Al Calaf, whose meaning was ‘small castle’). The town is conquered by the Christians in 1235 and in 1237 it is granted its first Town Charter by Blasco de Alagón, a second being issued in 1244 by the commander of the Order of Calatrava. In 1293 it became part of the Order of the Temple, who joined it with the Castle of Peñíscola, designating it a Villa (Town) and giving it the name by which it would be known thereafter, Vilanova d'Alcolea.
Traditional crops in the area are typical of rainfed agriculture, such as carob trees, almonds, olive groves and vineyards; although a few years ago, some areas began to be developed for the farming of citrus fruits. Livestock also have an important role in the economy, in particular swine and poultry farming. The local population speaks Valencian.
Where old Moorish buildings are concerned, you can still see the odd stretch of wall scattered around the streets. The most prominent monuments, meanwhile, are the parish church dedicated to San Bartolomé, built in the 17th century, with major renovations taking place in the 18th century (its beautiful classical façade is dated 1740); it boasts an elegant bell tower, the top part of which is particularly distinctive, and a beautiful Baroque altarpiece (18th-century), made by the Capuz brothers. The other monument of note is the Calvary, whose construction takes advantage of the slope of the hill on which the town sits, and in some of whose niches we can find pieces of ceramic from 18th-century, from L'Alcora and Onda. In a pleasant natural setting, with great views, rises up the hermitage, built from the late 18th to the early 19th century, which is decorated with interesting frescos by Joaquín Oliet, a painter native of Morella.
It has a rural, Mediterranean landscape, with narrow streets and a traditional flavour.
Economy
Traditional crops in the area are typical of rainfed agriculture, such as carob trees, almonds, olive groves and vineyards; although a few years ago, some areas began to be developed for the farming of citrus fruits. Livestock also have an important role in the economy, in particular swine and poultry farming. The local population speaks Valencian.
What to see
Where old Moorish buildings are concerned, you can still see the odd stretch of wall scattered around the streets. The most prominent monuments, meanwhile, are the parish church dedicated to San Bartolomé, built in the 17th century, with major renovations taking place in the 18th century (its beautiful classical façade is dated 1740); it boasts an elegant bell tower, the top part of which is particularly distinctive, and a beautiful Baroque altarpiece (18th-century), made by the Capuz brothers. The other monument of note is the Calvary, whose construction takes advantage of the slope of the hill on which the town sits, and in some of whose niches we can find pieces of ceramic from 18th-century, from L'Alcora and Onda. In a pleasant natural setting, with great views, rises up the hermitage, built from the late 18th to the early 19th century, which is decorated with interesting frescos by Joaquín Oliet, a painter native of Morella.
Landscape
It has a rural, Mediterranean landscape, with narrow streets and a traditional flavour.
