The Maestrazgo is one of the most unknown and certainly one of the most attractive regions of Spain. Its landscape is very well preserved and is distinguished by its rugged, mountaneous interior; until recently, the area has suffered from deficiencies in its infrastructures and communications. All of this has favoured its isolation throughout the 20 th century but in ancient times it was one of the most prosperous areas of the Kingdom of Valencia through its direct connections with Italy via the seaport at Peñíscola.

The wool and livestock trades were the driving economic force of the region throughout more than three centuries. From those times –the centuries XV, XVI and XVII- there are still evident today important archeological remains in nearly all the towns of the interior. Civil war in the 19 th century caused great suffering and destruction in all of the Maestrazgo where the lives of many generations of the same family were lost, destroyed by the countless assassinations commited in the name of great ideals, as well as a decimation of the rich local heritage.

The scenery of the Maestrazgo is distinguished by the preponderance of natural stone; here you will find a large part of the mountains terraced with dry-stone walls, still well preserved. Traditionally, its inhabitants have lived in mountainside houses known as “masías”, a large number of which continue to be inhabited by the “masoveros”.

The Maestrazgo is therefore a region still very much alive and rich in tradition, festivals and hearty regional gastronomy. Discovering it requires time: a time that will not be wasted and where the effort made will be repaid in full.