Morella’s walls completely encircle the town, measuring some 2.5km in length.
These formidable defences are between 10 and 15 metres high and two metres thick. With 10 towers at strategic points, there are seven gates to enter the town.
Constructed in the 1300s, the builders made use of Moorish walls dating from the 11th century. The defences were strengthened in the 1700s, further protecting both the town and its castle.
There is a short and interesting walk around the walls, starting at the Portal de l’Estudi gate, found at the end of Morella’s colonnaded street, the Carrer Blasco de Alagon.
The route
Walk through the Portal de l’Estudi and continue for around 10 metres to the sign which points back towards the walls on the Senda de la Porta Ferrissa; the Porta Ferrissa is a tiny entrance high on the wall, leading into the castle and a ‘senda’ is a footpath.
The route heads up the steps towards the wall and then bears left to run along the bottom of the towering defences.
After around 20 metres, keep right following the Porta Ferrissa sign to continue along the bottom of the walls. Next up is a sign which points out a hidden entrance through the walls to the convent.
The path continues to ascend, with tall pine trees on the left, walls on the right.
Pass the new supports which hold up the wall on a small section.
Then a sign asks the walker to look up (again) to locate a gap in the top of the wall; this was the hole through which soldiers would relieve themselves, described as a ‘flying latrine’. Famously, it was also the spot where an enemy army gained access to the town during a siege in 1838.
The path rounds a corner, bearing right. Looking up through the pines, it is possible to appreciate how the castle above was built on a huge cone of rock and how, on this section, the natural defences ensure that no construction was needed; it’s a wall of rock.
A short distance further on the Porta Ferrissa can be seen; it’s a small entrance with an iron gate. This was the spot where the Moorish garrison allowed the Spanish armies access to the castle after surrendering the town in 1231.
The footpath heads downhill through the tall pines. Next up is a sign which indicates remains of the wall constructed by the Moors; it notes that they conquered the town in 714 and their defences date to the second half of the 10th century.
The pleasant path continues to descend on a bed of pine needles. At the bottom there are two boards which give information on the birds that can be seen around the town and in the nearby hills.
Turn right to get back through the walls into Morella via the Nevera gate.
This easy walk is less than 2km in length, from gate to gate, with around 50 metres of ascent. It takes around 40 minutes with stops.
The walls and pines offer shade during the morning.
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