The castle, the stretches of wall, the church and the cave art at Vilafamés create a historic whole that has been officially declared an asset of cultural interest. Strategically perched on a hilltop, surrounded by prehistoric sites tucked away in caves and shelters, embraced by two Roman roads and stretches of mediaeval wall, and crowned by a castle built on Moorish foundations, Vilafamés has plenty to amaze visitors. The different cultures that have settled in this enclave in the province of Castellón over the ages and the interesting legacy of its ancient dwellers have led to the site being officially declared an Asset of Cultural lnterest.

A blend of Culture: Midway between the interior of the province of Castellón and the coast lies the district of La Plana Alta, which is home to several sites of great importance to the Region of Valencia‘s heritage. Chronicles speak of a strategic enclave that was chosen as a place to settle by an endless stream of peoples from faraway lands, for reasons that are many and varied, including its rugged landscapes, its geographical location and the unusual shape of the hill on which Vilafamés lies. In the end, all we can know for certain is that this historical site has been excellently preserved, safeguarding the legacy of its peoples. For this reason, and due to the
extraordinary beauty of its scenery, it was declared an Asset of Cultural interest in 2005 by the Generalitat (Valencian regional government).

The origine of Vilaframés: A host of bizarre, interesting and valid hypotheses surround the origins of Vilafamés. The earliest signs of habitation in the Vilafamés area revolve around the archaeological finds made at the Cova de Dalt cave in Tossal de la Font. Hare, anthropological remains some 80,000 years old have been discovered, although undoubtedly one of the most relevant finds in the town‘s history has been the Abric del Castell, a shelter housing a display of schematic art comprising anthropomorphic figures that have led the experts to formulate multiple theories regarding their significance, with the representation of the sun being the theory that has gathered most prevalence over recent years.

Beni Harnez Castle: No less interesting is the history surrounding the castle perched on the hilltop in Vilafarnés. Evidence indicates that this fortress will have once been used as a Rorman lookout. However, the foundations of this castle Beni-Harnez, are of Moorish origins, as the name suggests. With systems of fortification constantly being adapted to meet evolving war techniques, successive raforms made to the historical site of Vilafamés have shaped not just the castle but also the town itself. The 14 century witnessed the building of stretches of defensive wall moulded to the town’s topography, and these walls are now one of the graatest tourist attractions in Vilafamés. At the foot of
the castle stands the Quartijo quarter, the oldest part of the town, in which the settlement’s most important buildings were constructed, such as the town hall or the church of La Sangre, of mediaeval origins. Exploring the historical site of Vilafamés is an interesting adventure and a must for any visitors wishing to delve into the illustrious past and customs of ancient settlements in the province of Castellón.