In the Alto Mijares region, 46 km from Castellón, the green and mountainous area of Torralba del Pinar extends, occupying 21 km2 of the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park. Because its altitudes range between 700 and 1000 meters, the orography of this municipality is made up of forests of cork oaks, holm oaks, pine trees and protected species of holly and yew. Its tranquility and climate provide the visitor with a very pleasant stay.
HISTORY
Although its origin is Latin Torralba has pre-Roman roots, since its principles are due to a Roman watchtower, which later were the ashlars of his temple. When converting to Christianity, Abu Zeyd yielded to Jaime I, the ancient Torralba and Vialeba. There is a testament of the son of Abu Zeyd in which he bequeathed to his heirs both the castle of Vialeba and the municipality. This one is in the Cathedral of Valencia.
Although their lords were Christians, perhaps due to their unique situation, the torralbinos continued to maintain their Moorish population until 1609. Being already, two years owned by the Barony of Ayódar together with Villamalur, Fuentes de Ayódar and Higueras, there was a Christian repopulation as a result of this decree, since after the Moorish expulsion it was totally uninhabited.
MONUMENTS OF INTEREST
Touring the urban core of Torralba del Pinar allows visitors to discover the 18th century Church, dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, which preserves an eighteenth-century processional cross, a piece of great value. In its bell tower we find the bells of Santa Bárbara, Salvador and San Salvador. On the side of the church there are engraved crosses. The neighbors tell that they were recorded by the waiters when they were going to go to war, with the intention of receiving protection and returning to the town. On the outskirts of the municipality we discovered the Hermitage of Santa Bárbara, built by the residents of the municipality on a former mosque of Arab origin.
NATURAL ENCHANTMENTS
Among the different landscapes of Torralba, of great natural wealth, we find the Tajar, a micro-reserve of great importance for its protected species. Among its mountains are the Morrones de Gil and below, the Rambla Catalán that refreshes the landscape with its waterfalls and rapids.
Another natural charm of this town is the great variety of sources such as Santa Bárbara, which can be found next to its Hermitage and that of the Fuente El Río, whose track joins the municipality with Fuentes de Ayódar.
HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS
Torralbinos are prolific in their festivities and among these stand out, in January those of San Antonio Abad and in August their patron saint, the Most Holy Savior. In September, the Virgen del Rosario and San Gil Abad and in December Santa Bárbara and the Christ of the Agony where bullfighting, religious and cultural events take place.
