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The Levantine town of fork It is located northwest of the province of Castellón. Specifically, it belongs to the Puertos de Morella region along with populations like Villafranca del Cid, Cinctorres or the one that gives it its name.

Its origins probably date back to pre-Roman times, as attested by the remains of the Iberian city of Lessera, which are about two kilometers from Forcall. But its current formation occurred during the Middle Ages, after the Christian conquest. Traces of all this have remained in the town. Next, we are going to show them to you in this article on what to see and do in Forcall.

Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

It was built in the mid-XNUMXth century on the remains of a XNUMXth century Gothic temple that was destroyed after the first Carlist war. From the original one, some elements are still preserved such as the apse, the exterior rose window, some gargoyles, windows and the presbytery.

Your invoice is neoclassical, with an austere façade and an equally earlier bell tower with baroque features. At fifty-five meters, it is the highest in the entire region. Its author was Jose Ayora and consists of three sections and a final finish with five bells.

The temple is listed as Good of Local Relevance. Inside, it has several side chapels consecrated to the Marian devotion and to different saints. Among them, the one dedicated to Saint Victor Martyr, which houses his relics. In addition, you can see some frescoes by the Morellano painter Juan Francisco Cruella, a wood carving from the XNUMXth century and several samples of Valencian embroidery from the same century.

Other temples of Forcall

Next to the previous church, the Levantine town has two beautiful hermitages. That of San José It is made up of the religious building itself, a Calvary or Stations of the Cross and the garden-viewpoint of the Calvers River, which offers wonderful views of the region. The temple itself was built in the XNUMXth century according to the rules of the baroque and has a large porch. As for the Calvary, it dates back to the XNUMXth century and was destroyed after the Civil War to be restored later.

As for the other hermitage, it is that of the Virgin of Consolation and dates from the end of the XNUMXth century. invoice neoclassical, is also complemented by the hermit's house and a fountain. Likewise, from the place where it is located you have magnificent views of the area. It is an important place for the Forcallanos, as it houses the image of the town's patron saint.

The religious heritage of the town is completed by Dominican convent, built in the XNUMXth century and whose church is currently dedicated to hosting exhibitions and other events. But you will find them more curious the mosaics that you will see on the facades of many houses. They have a rectangular shape and have a religious theme. Some even have a small chapel that protects them from the rain.

La Moleta dels Frares, the Villa's oven and the refrigerator

The second is a medieval oven from the 1246th century that functioned until recently. In fact, it was considered the oldest in use in all of Europe. It is a simple ground-floor construction in which two arches open, one pointed and the other semicircular, where the ovens are located. Next to these, you will see an inscription with the year it was installed: XNUMX.

Opposite character has the fridge dated to the XNUMXth century. In its case, it is a construction that allowed snow to be stored and transformed into ice. Built with limestone masonry, it is six meters high and has a rectangular floor plan. It has also been restored a few years ago.

For its part, in the Moleta dels Frares, a plain located nine hundred meters high, you have the remains of the Ibero-Roman city of Lessera, which we have already mentioned. It was a walled town and was discovered in 1876. Those responsible for the discovery were Vicente Molinos, owner of the land, and Nicolás Ferrer Julve, one of the founders of the Valencian Archaeological Society. However, the first excavations, which made it possible to find important remains, began in 1960.

Forcall Palaces

The Castellón town also has some stately homes of great beauty. It is the case of Miró-Osset palace, dated to the XNUMXth century. It is a perfect example of the Aragonese Renaissance built in carved stone. The thirty-six arches at the top stand out and, above all, the double eaves of the roof, which are carved in wood, without forgetting the Miró family coat of arms that is on its façade. Currently, it houses a restaurant.

You should also see the Les Escaletes palace or Villa House. It was built in the XNUMXth century and has the recognition of A Cultural. Responds to the canons of Gothic and stands out for its double exterior staircase on a semicircular arch. It also has a shield, in this case that of the town. However, the belfry with clock is later, dating from 1893. You can visit it, since, in addition to municipal offices, it houses several cultural facilities and even the Mesón de la Villa.

Other places to visit in the area

In the St. Christopher's grindstone, near the hermitage of the same name and the medieval path that went from Forcall to Portell, are the cave paintings of Mas de Barberà. These are nine pictorial figures from the Neolithic, among which the so-called "False Speaker" stands out. On the other hand, during some excavations carried out to install windmills, the necropolis of San Joaquín de la Menadella.

But more curious is another activity that you can do in Forcall. It's about the Groc Route. Tomas Penarrocha, a native of the town, was one of the lieutenants of Ramon Cabrera during the first Carlist war. After finishing this, he continued his fight through the mountains, giving rise to the legend of the Groc.

They called him that, "groc" or "yellow", for his long blonde mustaches and his red hair. The fact is that a few years ago a tourist-cultural route was created in the surroundings of Forcall that follows in his footsteps through the area. You can do it on guided tours, but if you want to do it alone, just follow the curious signage made up, precisely, of drawings of blonde mustaches.

In conclusion, we have shown you the best you can see and do in fork. If you visit this town in the province of Castellón, also take the opportunity to discover other equally beautiful ones such as Sueras or own Morella, capital of its region. Come and discover this beautiful Levantine area.