El Club · Culla

The Cova del Bovalar is a large rock shelter located in the Sierra d'En Segures, near the village of Culla, at the headwaters of the Molinell River, within the limestone ravine of El Regall. Physically, it is a cavity with a large overhang and an imposing rock ceiling that, historically, was used to shelter flocks of sheep, as its name suggests. From the viewing point, one can observe a large-scale natural structure set amid groves of holm oaks and gall oaks, with vegetation characteristic of the Maestrazgo region. Its primary significance is not only geological but also archaeological: its walls preserve examples of prehistoric rock art in various styles and from different time periods, including engravings and paintings from the Epipaleolithic (10,000–8,000 years before our era) and Levantine-style and schematic paintings from the Neolithic. This artistic record forms part of the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Arc of the Iberian Peninsula, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. The most notable examples are the engravings and paintings dating back between 10,000 and 8,000 years. The best time to visit is during spring or fall, when temperatures are more pleasant for hiking and the vegetation is at its peak. The access route is easy and allows you to combine your visit with a tour of Culla’s historic center—designated a Site of Cultural Interest—and other nearby natural sites such as the Carrasca de Culla.

The Templar Route of Culla is a cultural heritage tourism attraction that offers a guided tour of the medieval historic district of Culla, in the province of Castellón, within the Alt Maestrat region. The route is presented as an interpretive itinerary that connects the town’s Templar heritage with its main historical and architectural sites. Its historical context is linked to the presence of the Knights Templar, who acquired Culla in 1303, when the town became part of their holdings in northern Castellón. The local tourism office describes the tour as a journey through the vestiges of that era, with a special focus on the castle of Muslim origin and its subsequent use as a Templar stronghold. Among the documented heritage sites visited are the castle ruins, the Commander’s granary (or former prison), the old hospital, the parish church, and several sections of the medieval historic center, such as Portal de la Font, Calle Pla, Pelleric, and Porta Nova. The historic district of Culla has been designated a Site of Cultural Interest since 2004, which reinforces the route’s heritage value. Architecturally, the available information describes a castle of Muslim origin and a parish church built in the 17th century on the site of an old Gothic church, meaning the route combines Andalusian remains, medieval traces, and modern-era renovations.