Municipality located in the Castellón region of Alto Mijares, 40 km from Castellón. It has an extension of 19.5 km2 in which large extensions of forest predominate.
Its narrow streets and whitewashed houses identify its origin and its journey through the GR-36 is to discover beautiful natural landscapes of exceptional beauty. Villamalur cherries deserve special mention, well known in the municipalities of the area.
HISTORY
Although its exact origins are unknown, ceramic remains from the 4th century BC are already known. Villamalur Castle reveals that this municipality may also have its origins in the existence of an old Muslim farmhouse, of which little is known today. Thus, the structure of the urban area, of narrow streets and whitewashed houses confirms the Muslim presence throughout the centuries.
After the Moorish expulsion by the troops of Jaume I was repopulated by Aragonese. From that time to the present there is hardly any variation of inhabitants, except in the summer season, which, taking advantage of its good climate, greatly increases the number of tourists and visitors who enjoy their paths and places.
MONUMENTS OF INTEREST
In its urban center stands the 18th century church dedicated to patrons Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados and we can see in the distance its 11th century Muslim castle. Today there are still ten Moorish towers, which surrounded the entire mountain top, used until the twentieth century. We also find the Four Roads Fridge, circular in shape, with two accesses to its interior. On its roof, two parallel arches, one of them demolished, possibly its vault was covered with tiles and was in operation until the first decade of the twentieth century.
NATURAL ENCHANTMENTS
There are numerous corners and landscapes of great beauty that we find throughout the term. Highlights the Alto del Pinar, point from which we can enjoy great views, the Fridge of the Four Ways and the trenches of the civil war, both monuments very well preserved.
Villamalur is also rich in sources such as Chercoles, Berniches, Alá, Barrajau, Albar, Lartijuela, La Calzada, Cafuentes and La Olivera.
Halfway up the mount de la Buitrera we find the Cueva del Mas, whose interior galleries are well known and visited by speleologists.
HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS
On January 17, San Antonio Abad is celebrated, a fiesta in which the neighbors light bonfires and carry out a procession, bless the animals and distribute rolls. The first Saturday of May is celebrated the mass and procession in honor of the Holy Cross and the second Sunday Our Lady of the Desamparados. In September the patron saint festivities begin with bullfights, popular festivals, etc. In these celebrations the congretes are distributed that are typical rolls of the town.
