Hermitage of Mary Magdalene

The area of the Paraje Natural Municipal Ermitorio de la Magdalena (Municipal Natural Reserve of the Hermitage of the Magdalena) is composed of lands belonging to the municipality of Castellón de la Plana. The proposed area is 14.05 hectares and gathers cultural, recreational, and scenic values that justify its declaration as such.

The Reserve corresponds to the hill where the Hermitage of Mary Magdalene is located, 111.3 meters above sea level. The hills appear on the coastal plain of Castellón de la Plana and fits in the reliefs of the Desierto de las Palmas (Desert of the Palms), which form the first foothills. A stratigraphic study reveals that Castellón de la Plana was formed by limestone from the Early Cretaceous Period (Early Cretaceous/Aptian/ Gargasian) that emerged from the sediments of the Quaternary Period.

With regards to the vegetation, a good part of the hill has an arboreal cover formed by pine forest, under which there is a thermophilic Mediterranean scrubland. There are old terraced sections that were used for agriculture located around the chapel and the castle that have since been re-colonized by the wild vegetation, however, there are still some olive and carob trees. To the north of the hill, there is a slope that faces the sun which is devoid of woodland and with scarce vegetation due to the abundance of rock outcrops. The Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) is the dominant species in the wooded area. Other abundant thermophilic species typical of the sclerophyllic scrubland on calcareous substratum are: Kermes Oak (Quercus coccifera), Chamaerops (Chamaerops humilis), Mastic (Pistacea lentiscus), and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). The influence of man in the area is clearly marked and is translated in the presence, as already previously mentioned, by species derived from traditional agriculture, species introduced for their ornamental character or species that may have had some other possible purpose, such as the Maguey (Agave americana) or the Indian Fig Opuntia/Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), both of exotic origin.

With respect to the fauna, from the many species that one can possibly to find on this Reserve, the following deserved to be mentioned: among the herpetofauna, there are four protected species: the toad, the Common Frog, the Ocellated Lizard and the Montpellier Snake. In addition, we can also find the European Turtle, catalogued as a vulnerable species; among the different species of birds, one would emphasize the presence of the Common Lark, the Jay and the Corn Bunting, all catalogued as protected. There are another three species of birds present in the area that are classified as protected: the Common Sparrow, Kramer’s parrot and the Black Starling. With regards to protected mammals, the following species can be found: Gray Shrew, Garden Dormouse, the European Hedgehog, the Marten, the Badger, the Weasel and the Red Squirrel.

The hill where the Chapel of Mary Magdalene and the castle are located constitutes an important scenic reference point for the municipality, next to the already imposing reliefs of the Desierto de las Palmas (Desert of the Palms). From the top of the hill, one has an extensive panorama of Castellón’s plain and coast and magnificent views on clear days.

As for archaeological heritage, one must cite the existence of the La Magdalena archaeological site. In close proximity to the Reserve, in less than a 1km radius to 1 km., there are other five sites. The La Magdalena site is situated on the top of the hill which looks to be crowned by a walled perimeter and some interspersed circular towers. Inside these walls lie the sporadic remains of alignments, most of them of quadrangular structure. This site is attributed to the Bronze Age.

Nevertheless, the most notable existing patrimonial milestones on the Reserve, which, at the same time, constitute their unmistakable elements of identity are the Castle, origin of the current city, and the Chapel of the Mary Magdalene. This area has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The historical remains of the castle have an Islamic origin, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. Tributes must have paid to El Cid, then to the almorávides (African warriors) in the 12th century until it was reconquered in 1233. In 1251, King James I authorized his deputy Ximén Pérez d' Arenós to move the population to the plain, founding the city’s new location in 1252. The castle has a terraced shape which had been adapted to the contours of the hills. It is made of clay and brick and was constructed using Arabic techniques. The Chapel of Mary Magdalene is carved out of the rock. In the 15th century (1455) the portico was built and the chapel in 1456, by the end of the century, the stable was also completed. In 1758, master Vicente Pellicer gave it its current chapel hostel and adjacent tower configuration. On an interior wall there are murals that some authors date back to the 14th century. The surroundings of the Castell Vell (Old Castle) and the Ermitorio de La Magdalena (Chapel of Mary Magdalene) are very important for the people of Castellón as a public place that has multiple functions: place of worship, recreation, natural beauty and of the cultural heritage. Above all, there is one day that must be noted, the day of the Romería de las Cañas (Pilgrimage of the Canes), in which a great crowd congregates in this place and its surrounding areas.