STAGE 3
SANT CRISTÓFOL, SARANYANA
AND SANT GIL
CINCTORRES - LA MATA
The ancient paths of Els Ports bear witness to traditions that still endure, such as the processions. In the month of May, the Hermitage of Sant Cristòfol serves as a gathering point and regional reference for the residents of neighboring towns like Todolella, La Mata, Forcall, and Cinctorres. Saranyana is a village belonging to Todolella, although it had its own entity in medieval times. As you reach La Mata, the Hermitage of Sant Gil, highly regarded by all, surprises with its curious architecture.
CINCTORRES
LA MATA
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
Hermitage of Mare de Déu de Gràcia
Cultural / architectural heritage
This chapel stands on the remains of two previous chapels: the first from 1367 and the second from 1589. Today’s chapel was built between 1868 and 1875.
The construction has a single nave of 26 metres long and 16 metres wide. It is divided into 3 sections by semi-circular arches. The decoration is Neoclassic with frescoes by Ramón Segura dating from 1873. Under the high altar dome there is a niche with the image of the Mare de Déu de Gràcia, patron saint of the town of Cinctorres. The highlight outside is the 20 metre tall bell tower.
Close to the chapel is the Ana Site, a paleontological site open to visitors where you can discover the significance of dinosaurs in this region during the Cretaceous Period.
Hermitage of Sant Gil
Cultural / architectural heritage
Found close to La Mata (less than 1km from the town), this chapel was built in 1786. According to tradition, it was built to thank Saint Giles for protecting the town from the plague.
This small chapel features a covered portico or atrium, and three semi-circular ashlar stone arches. The building is covered with a Moorish gable roof and has a square floor plan. The centre of the nave is covered with a tile dome and rests on an octagonal base with decorative rectangular openings. There are galleries at the entrance to the chapel and the apse, and the altar features an image of the saint. An interesting forged weather vane can also be found on the dome. The local festivals are held in August and on 1 September to honour Saint Giles, the patron saint of La Mata.
The chapel of Sant Gil has been declared an Asset of Local Relevance (BRL in Spanish).
Hermitage of Sant Cristòfol
Cultural / architectural heritage
Found in an unrivalled setting around 1,100 metres above sea level, the chapel of Sant Cristòfol is considered to be one of the most emblematic religious buildings in the Els Ports region, as it hosts many pilgrimages and rogations from the towns of Todolella, Forcall, La Mata and Cinctorres.
There is documentary evidence of a chapel here from 1332, although the current site was greatly renovated in early 18th century.
It comprises a chapel, the accommodation for the eremite and a hostel for pilgrims. They all stand around a central courtyard shaped like a cloister.
The chapel has a rectangular floor plan, 23 x 10 metres, and a single nave divided into four sections. The Chapel of Sant Cristòfol has been declared an Asset of Local Relevance.
Church of Sant Miquel or primitive church of Saranyana
Cultural / architectural heritage
Bernat de Calvera obtained a Municipal Charter for Saranyana in July 1233. This district depends
on Todolella. It was inhabited until the 20th century, and had a church and a town hall.
The pre-Romanesque dome, prior to the construction of the church. The 13th century church is one of the oldest religious buildings remaining in the Els Ports region. It is one of very few examples of architecture from the transitional period between the Romanesque and Gothic. The church was devoted to Saint Michael.
It is currently in ruins and the only noticeable remains are the stone apse dome and the base of the traverse rib separating the apse from the nave. It has a masonry back wall with stone corners. It
has been declared an Asset of Local Relevance.
Santa Quitèria and Sant Miquel Church
Cultural / architectural heritage
This church replaced the derelict, primitive church of Sarayana or Sant Miquel. It was built in the 17th century in the Neoclassic style and features a nave divided into four sections. The gable roof is covered in Moorish tiles. Inside, there is a vault with lunettes and a semi-circular transverse arch or rib. It is devoted to Saint Michael and Saint Quiteria.
The first section holds a choir, and in the last section you can find the tower, which is greatly disproportionate to the rest of the building. It has a square floor plan and is covered with a tented roof. The main door stands at the foot of the church and is believed to have come from the former church of Sant Miquel. It has been declared an Asset of Local Relevance.
Next to the church of Saint Quiteria and Saint Michael is the council building of Saranyana. It is the smallest council building in the world, with jail, and “llotja” all in the same building.
Village of Sarayana
Cultural / architectural heritage
The settlement of Sarayana was permanently inhabited until the last century and it was located between Todolella and the chapel of Sant Cristòfol. It had a church, a local council building and prison. Saranyana is one of the best examples of the region’s rural architecture. Its historical importance was already noted in a document from 1233, in which Blascó d’Alagón donates the settlement so it could be repopulated. Note that it was recorded as Torre de Sarañana, so there was a construction there prior to this date.
Blasco de Alagón donates the tower of Saranyana, as well as the sites of Alabor and Pererola, in the municipal district of Morella, to Bernat de Calvera for repopulation (July 1233): Notumsitcunctis, quod ego, Blasius de Alagone, propter multa grata servitia que Bernardus de Calverausque modo nunc fecitis, et facistis, per me et meossuccessores, cum hacpresentiscriptura perpetuo valitura, dono vobisquandamhereditatem in termino de Morella que diciturTurris de Sarañana, cum illo villare de Alabor et cum illo villare de la Perarola. Facta carta in obsidione de Burriana, in mensejulii, sub era millessimaducentessimaseptuagessima prima.
National Historical Archive. Madrid. Codex 1126B
