The Moors built the castle in the upper part of the town, rising over it, under whose protection the first houses were built. In the 13th century, it was conquered by Christians, in one of the many feats of King James I, the Conqueror, who ceded the village to the Baron of Puebla Tornesa, who built a palace down on the plain upon which the town now sits, next to the few houses that existed at the time, upon whom he bestowed manifold benefits. It is the birthplace of Bishop Felipe Beltrán, Bishop of Salamanca, with the settlement of Els Ibarsos having been founded by María Ivars, Saint Luis Beltrán's grandmother.
People rely heavily on agriculture, in particular almond crops and livestock, of which sheep and pig farming are the most noteworthy examples.
Strolling through the municipality, highlights include the church (16th-century), the Fort or Casalduch Palace and the House of Bishop Felipe Beltrán, where there is an exhibition of ceramics from the 18th century. Outside the centre, we find other sights, such as the San Miguel and Cova Santa hermitages, the Valencian oak forests and the Iberian settlement of Els Castellas.
Sierra Engarcerán mountain range offers stunning views over the region of La Plana, allowing you to look out over most of the towns in the region; you can even see the Columbretes Islands, on clear days. The terrain is very mountainous and the climate is temperate and pleasant, as it is surrounded by tall mountains that shelter it from the north wind. The centre of the municipality has an elevation of 748 m above sea level.
Economy
People rely heavily on agriculture, in particular almond crops and livestock, of which sheep and pig farming are the most noteworthy examples.
What to see
Strolling through the municipality, highlights include the church (16th-century), the Fort or Casalduch Palace and the House of Bishop Felipe Beltrán, where there is an exhibition of ceramics from the 18th century. Outside the centre, we find other sights, such as the San Miguel and Cova Santa hermitages, the Valencian oak forests and the Iberian settlement of Els Castellas.
Landscape
Sierra Engarcerán mountain range offers stunning views over the region of La Plana, allowing you to look out over most of the towns in the region; you can even see the Columbretes Islands, on clear days. The terrain is very mountainous and the climate is temperate and pleasant, as it is surrounded by tall mountains that shelter it from the north wind. The centre of the municipality has an elevation of 748 m above sea level.
