Morella
We decided to visit Morella in the middle of the summer heat and that was a great decision. Since it is located approximately 1km above the sea level, we found a pleasant 24°C which made the whole experience very enjoyable.
Morella is an ancient walled city with a rich history and it is one of the most visited towns in the area. The population, which was 7,335 in 1900 is at 2,430 according to 2019 data. Morella has Iberian, Greek, Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish influences. Its strategic location led to frequent battles from the 17th century to the Spanish Civil War. In the Morella area, ancient cave paintings in Galeria del Roure include the oldest depiction of archery combat, dating back 7,200 to 7,400 years. Every six years, locals celebrate the Sexenni, remembering the town's recovery from the 17th-century plague.
Morella is located in beautiful surroundings with various hiking trails available. However, we visited only the town. We arrived with a 3 months old and baby carrier was the only way to properly walk around. Cobbled and hilly streets would make it difficult with a baby stroller.
At first we visited the castle. It's quite a climb, but is definitely worth it and the views are amazing. At the foot of the hill we found a little Plaça de Toros (eng. Bullring). Obviously very important for the Spanish tradition, however, quite contraversial. Somewhere half way to the top of the castle we found the Palacio del Gobernador (eng. Governor's palace). It was an interesting place to see as well, since it's integrated inside the cave where Neolithic remains were found.
We finished our visit by taking a walk around the old town streets. Lots of tiny shops selling local delicacies, mainly honey and cheese, but also herbs, oil, sausages. The main and the most visited street is called Calle Blasco de Alagón (eng. Blasco de Alagón street). It stands out for its buildings supported by wooden pillars. Many cozy restaurants were very tempting, but that's for the next visit.
