Castellón de la Plana, Castelló de la Plana in Valencian, with about 184,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Valencian Community's northernmost province, on the Costa del Azahar. It is a service and industrial city, best known for ceramic tiles, of which the province is one of the world's leading producers. Seldom visited by foreign tourists, it is a good base for the coast and the interior.
History
The city was born in 1251, when King James I of Aragon allowed the people of the castle on Magdalena hill to move down to the plain, the Plana. This move is recalled every year by the Magdalena festival. The city grew thanks to irrigated farming, orange groves and its port.
What to see
- The Gothic co-cathedral of Santa María, rebuilt after the Civil War.
- The Fadrí, the octagonal bell tower standing apart from the church, about 58 metres high, the city's symbol; the name means "the bachelor" because it stands alone.
- The Plaza Mayor, with the Baroque town hall and the Central Market.
- The Casino Antiguo and the mansions of the centre.
- The Fine Arts Museum and the Espai d'Art Contemporani.
- El Grau, the port, with seafood restaurants, the seafront and the Planetarium.
Beaches and nature
The long sandy beaches of El Pinar and Gurugú, backed by the Pinar park. Offshore, about 50 km out, lie the Columbretes Islands, a small volcanic archipelago and marine nature reserve reached on boat trips. Inland are the Desierto de las Palmas and medieval towns such as Morella, with its castle and walls.
The Magdalena
The Magdalena festival, in March or early April, lasts nine days and opens with the Romeria de les Canyes, a pilgrimage to the Magdalena hermitage carrying decorated canes. There are parades of gaiates, illuminated monuments unique to the city, mascletàs, bullfights and concerts.
Food
Cooking of the Plana: paella, arròs a banda, fish from El Grau, Vinaròs prawns, olla de la Plana and oranges. See Spanish cuisine.
Getting there
Castellón airport is about 30 km away; Valencia's about 80 km. Castellón has trains, including high-speed services, to Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid. See also Benicàssim and Peñíscola.