Sant Mateu: Heritage and Nature

Sant Mateu combines natural and cultural heritage with a focus on palaeontology. Part of the Paraje Natural Municipal Racó del Frare lies within the municipality; at the same time, churches and civic buildings dating from several centuries form part of its historic ensemble. The Colección Museográfica de Paleontología Juan Cano Forner adds fossils and an impressive ammonite collection to these themes.

Landscape and hiking trails

The Paraje Natural Municipal Racó del Frare has a tabular geological structure, with characteristic flat-topped hills arranged in horizontal layers. Its wildlife and plant life also shape the area and are considered to have high ecological value. Both the distinctive landscape and its living ecosystems are central to the area. For travellers interested in nature, a visit brings together two different themes: the geology of the flat-topped hills and the ecological importance of the fauna and flora.

Public hiking is permitted in the Paraje on the PRV-214 and its variants. The trails run through the Ratlla, La Rambleta and Barranc del Salt ravines. The PR-CV 201 circular route offers a different focus: it begins on the old road to La Jana, which followed the same route as the Via Augusta in Roman times, and passes the ruins of the medieval watermill site, Moli Vell. This allows you to compare two different trail themes: the ravines along the PRV-214 and the historic route and mill ruins along the PR-CV 201. Check trail conditions before setting out, and make sure to confirm access to the ruins in advance.

Historic architecture in Sant Mateu

The historic ensemble includes churches and civic buildings dating from the 13th to the 16th century. It also includes a medieval oven, wells and stone façades with Gothic and Renaissance windows. This span offers a glimpse of several centuries of architectural history; the windows in the stone façades display both Gothic and Renaissance features. Architecture enthusiasts can shift their focus between building types, façade details and different periods.

A striking example is the Iglesia Arciprestal de Sant Mateu, an important monument of Valencian Gothic architecture. It was declared a national heritage site in 1931. Its significance can therefore be understood both in architectural terms and through this historic designation. The Palacio del Marqués de Villores adds a different development to the Gothic focus: in the Middle Ages, it was the manor house of the Comí family. In the 16th century, its façade and entrance were remodelled in keeping with Renaissance architectural principles. Its medieval use and later Renaissance design thus belong to different chapters of its history.

Visitors can see the façade and ground floor of the Palacio del Marqués de Villores. Before your visit, ask the tourist office about access arrangements. This restriction is relevant when planning: the areas open to visitors are specified, so do not assume that access includes the entire building.

Fossils and ammonites

The Colección Museográfica de Paleontología Juan Cano Forner offers a distinct perspective on the region’s natural history. A large proportion of the fossils on display are representative of the Maestrat; the ammonite collection is particularly impressive. The collection also features specimens from every geological era and most stratigraphic units. These offer two complementary perspectives: the Maestrat connection gives a regional context to many of the fossils, while the geological eras and stratigraphic units describe the breadth of the material on display.

Visitors with a particular interest in ammonites will find a clear focus in the collection. Those looking to explore geological diversity can consider the range of specimens on display. Check the collection’s opening arrangements before your visit.

When choosing what to explore during your stay, you can consider nature, architectural history and palaeontology separately: the ravines and flat-topped hills, the historic buildings and the Juan Cano Forner collection each offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations: Espadilla, Forcall, Albocàsser, Viver, Xilxes, Cervera Del Maestre, Cortes De Arenoso, Sant Jordi.

For the overview of the wider area: Castellon.