Santa Magdalena De Pulpis – Castle, Trails and Building History

Santa Magdalena De Pulpis brings together the history of Castillo de Polpís, church architecture, traditional dry-stone structures and trails in the Serra d’Irta. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in the area, these different highlights can help you plan your trip: would you like to explore historic buildings, choose one of the routes described or discover the landscape of the natural park?

Castillo de Polpís and the history of the town

Castillo de Polpís stands at an altitude of 431 metres above an earlier Arab alcazaba. Alterations by the Order of Calatrava and the Knights Templar in the 13th century shaped its present-day appearance. The surviving features include Arab walls, an entrance protected by the Torre del Homenaje, a cistern, remains of a square tower and the remnants of the original settlement. The site therefore brings together several aspects of the town’s history: fortification, water supply and the earlier settlement at the castle site.

The present-day urban settlement developed after the inhabitants moved from the castle to the plain at the foot of Monte Pulpis following the conquest. The castle and the present-day town thus mark different stages in this development. Those interested in how it unfolded can view the castle remains alongside the buildings in town, rather than seeing them as separate attractions without a historical connection.

Church, telegraph tower and dry-stone construction

The Iglesia parroquial de Santa Magdalena dates back to an earlier building from 1330. Construction of the present-day church began in 1860; it was completed and consecrated six years later. By 1863, the former Gothic chapel had already been converted into a chapel of the Communion. Inside, the space is defined by a single longitudinal nave, side chapels and Ionic details. The freestanding square bell tower has a small bell cupola clad in glazed ceramic, in the Valencian Baroque tradition.

The Torre de San Millán tells a different story of technological history: it was built in 1848 and 1849 as part of the state optical telegraph network. Don Juan María Mathé designed the fortified tower with a defensive and military character. Traditional construction is also present in the municipality. The Casa del Pastor in the Serra d’Irta is among the dry-stone structures in the municipal area characteristic of the Baix Maestrat.

Serra d’Irta and trails with different destinations

The Serra d’Irta Natural Park includes Santa Magdalena De Pulpis and was declared a natural park in 2002. Within the park, the mountain elevations are generally between 300 and 400 metres; three peaks exceed 500 metres. The natural park’s coastline includes twelve kilometres of sandy beaches as well as dune systems, rocky areas and steep cliffs. These landscape features describe the natural park as a whole. Check local access conditions before visiting; trail conditions may vary depending on the season.

“Ruta 1: ruta histórica de Sta. Magdalena” starts at the local church and passes through dry-farmed fields and a ravine on its way to Castillo de Polpís. Two lime kilns lie along the way; the route also passes dense vegetation. Its destination is the castle, while the path also offers a glimpse of traces of agricultural use and craftwork.

Route 2 passes dry-stone terraces and structures on its way to the Ermita de Sant Antoni. The views take in the Sierra de Irta, nearby towns and the sea. The chapel dates from the 15th century; the buildings and facilities described as part of the site include a former inn, stables, an arcaded square and a well. Route 3 has a different focus: it passes through the water-rich area of Mas del Señor to the “La caseta” recreation area, a replica of a shepherd’s hut built using dry-stone techniques.

Cycling routes, festivals and getting there

There are also two differently described cycling routes connected with the town. The “R09 - Peñíscola” circular cycling route passes through Santa Magdalena De Pulpis at kilometre 142 and mentions an Arab-influenced castle and a neoclassical church there. The “IR3. Irta totalmente” mountain biking route runs from Peñíscola through the Sierra de Irta to Santa Magdalena De Pulpis. Check current route conditions before setting out.

The festival of San Antonio Abad takes place every year on January 17 and is organised by Mayorales appointed each year. Featured events include a bonfire and a procession. Traditional pastries made by local residents are also sampled; the “gorra” is mentioned as another festival activity. Check locally for the programme for the year in question. The Fiestas Patronales include verbenas, festive evening events with music and dancing, as well as bull-related events.

Santa Magdalena De Pulpis can be reached from the province of Castellón and from the province of Tarragona via the N-340 and AP-7. Plan your journey based on current traffic and road conditions. Together with the choice of castle, church architecture, natural park trails and festival dates, this can help you decide which topics matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Vallivana, Fanzara, Burriana, Puebla De Arenoso, Segorbe, Sant Joan de Moró, Altura, Castellfort.

For the broader travel overview: Castellon.