STAGE 15
EL BERGANTES Y SUS BARRANCOS
ORTELLS - PALANQUES - SANTUARI DE LA BALMA (SORITA)
El Lligalló, or the livestock community of a region, had the function of gathering, guarding, and delivering ownerless, lost, or strayed cattle to their owners. It was established by King Jaume I in the 13th century and operated until the year 1835.
ORTELLS
SORITA
SEAL POINTS:
- Vilafranca: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- Cinctorres: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- Forcall: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- La Mata: Town Hall.
- Todolella: Town Hall.
- Olocau del Rey: Tourist information point.
- Villores: Town Hall.
- Morella: Tourist office.
- Vallibona: Tourist information point.
- Portell: Town Hall.
- Herbés: Town Hall.
For more information, please contact any registration point or the Els Ports Regional Commonwealth:
Tlf. 964440306 / 964441266
E-mail: info@mancomunitatelsports.es
La Llècua Cross
This iron cross has a stone oval representing the effigy of the Heart of Jesus. It stands on a carvedstone pedestal with three quadrangular parts, rising 2.1 metres high. Each year the festival of the Apostles of La Llècua is held on 1 May. It is part of the ancient medieval tradition known as the cycle of Rotllos i Primes or Rogation days, when people could ask the saints to protect the crops and the land. In the case of La Llècua, those participating in this Rogation day take part in a procession to the Creu de la Llècua cross to bless the town. At the end rotllos i primes, typical bakery products of this area, are given out to the public.
Eleven Rogation days are held in the municipal district of Morella between April and June, to mark the planting and harvesting periods.