Our Trip to Culla, Spain

elva8 (54)Member 🔷✅in CCS • last month

Hello everyone. I’d like to share our trip to Culla, a medieval mountain village located in the province of Castellón, Spain. This village is recognized as one of the most beautiful in Spain. It’s quite small with a population of about 480 people and its historic medieval center is its heart.

We started our trip near the municipal pool area. The pool is currently closed since, like many municipal pools, it only operates outdoors during the summer months. The views however, are impressive. In summer the scenery is even greener. We reached a fork in the road: one path leads to other settlements, while the other heads towards the village center. Naturally we started at the center.

As I mentioned Culla is one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, which makes it an attractive tourist destination. Despite not being peak tourist season, even in late November, you can encounter visitors here. Although small, the village has essential amenities like banks, a town hall, a cultural center, cafes, bars and a few shops. There’s also a medical consultation center for emergencies. Past the town hall, you’ll find an area for children and walking trails, including routes to high peaks like “Peña Golosa” which I mentioned in my previous post.

Throughout its history the village was governed by various knightly orders, which is why medieval costume events and historical reenactments are occasionally held here. These activities are a highlight for visitors. However, the main source of income for the village is tourism, naturally driven by its recognition as one of Spain’s most beautiful villages.

In the past the village relied on agriculture and livestock and there was even iron mining nearby. Today you can visit those old mining areas and learn about the historical mining process at open-air museums, complete with wagon rides.

We made our way towards the village’s castle. Along the way we passed old stone structures and a small shop selling local products like honey, mushrooms, cheese, wine, fruits and vegetables.

Reaching the medieval center we found traces of the village’s tumultuous past. Culla suffered significant damage during wars, particularly the Seven Years War, but it was gradually rebuilt. Nowadays it’s an intriguing destination for both history enthusiasts and tourists. You can still see remnants of structures dating back to the 15th century, as well as many 18th-century buildings that were restored

Our next stop was the church. Inside there’s a statue believed to depict a 15th-century leader of Culla. As we continued exploring we were captivated by the beauty of this place. Many structures here underwent restoration during the 16th century and still retain their medieval charm.For instance, even the sundials in the village are remarkably accurate. Walking through the narrow, cobblestone streets filled with medieval ambiance was fascinating. Over the centuries people have cultivated these lands, endured wars and rebuilt. And now here we are, taking a peaceful walk and sharing this journey with you all.

At the higher parts of the village there’s a light breeze, but the views are simply breathtaking. The thick and sturdy stone walls of the structures stand out, a reminder that snow is not uncommon here during winter. Summers in the mountains are milder, but winters can be cold with snowfall. Fortunately there are cozy cafes where you can enjoy hot drinks like coffee, teaor hot chocolate while soaking in the scenery.

We climbed to the highest point of the village, where some old structures remain, now serving as a viewing terrace. The view from this terrace is magnificent. The remnants of the ancient castle walls and buildings reflect the grandeur of this historic place. The wide stone walls and ruins are awe-inspiring. As the highest point in the area this spot offers a stunning 360-degree panorama.

It’s currently late November and as winter approaches, the greenery in the region is less vibrant compared to spring or summer. Nevertheless the scenery remains captivating. You can also find information here about events hosted in the village. For instance, the events in October, including reenactments featuring crusader knights, are particularly fascinating. If you’re interested in such activities, you can subscribe to the town hall’s website and keep up with their announcements.

Finally we had another glimpse of Mount Peña Golosa and its surrounding landscape. Although the sky was a bit cloudy, the natural beauty of the area remained as striking as ever.