Castielfabib
Affectionately called “little Albarracín”, this small, craggy municipality lies on a hill on the right bank of the River Ebrón. Located in the northwest corner of Rincón de Ademuz, the municipality is mountainous, with altitudes of between 800 and 1,550 m.
Gastronomy:
The local cuisine is based mainly on lamb and pork, and typical dishes such as “gachas” (porridge), vegetable stew, and “arroz empedrado” (rice with beans, dry cod, paprika and garlic).
Places of interest:
Its most notable monuments include an 18th century Church-Fortress. The current Parish Church of Our Lady of the Angels was built atop its stone base. This church separates the old part of the town from the new: to go from one to the other it is necessary to go through a tunnel or passageway that crosses under the church.
Near the village are the ruins of the Augustinian Convent of Saint William, and in the hamlet of Arroyo Cerezo we find the Church of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne (18th century).
Outside the village we find “el Pico de los Tres Reinos” (a meeting point for the representatives of the Three Kingdoms). Among its sites of natural beauty, mention may be made of “El Rodeno” mountain, “Las Ramblas of Val del Aigua”, and the banks of the Rivers Turia and Ebrón. The village is dominated by the remains of a castle whose foundations are considered Roman, and which was later extended during the Muslim rule.
Festivities:
On 17th January, festivities are held in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbott in all the hamlets. Events include the lighting of bonfires.
On 20th January, celebrations in Mas de Jacinto are held in honour of St. Sebastian, patron saint of the municipality, accompanied by bonfires and open-air roasts.
On 10th February, celebrations are held in Castielfabib in honour of St. William, patron saint of the municipality, accompanied by dances and open-air roasts. Castielfabib’s most traditional festivities are held at Holy Week and Easter. They include the presentation of two poplars (Good Friday), their planting in the square (Holy Saturday), an open-air dance on Saturday night, chants to the “Mayorales” and “Mayoralesas” on Saturday night and “Las Cortesías” on Easter Sunday morning, during which villagers balance on the church bells while they are rung.
On 25th April, festivities are held in Los Santos in honour of Saint Mark, with a procession and open-air dances.
During the first weekend of August, festivities are held in Cuesta del Rato. Events include street dances. On the first Sunday in October, festivities are held in Arroyo Cerezo in honour of Saint Joachim, Saint Barbara and Saint Roche, with masses and processions. During the third or fourth weekend of August, Castielfabib celebrates its “tourist” festivities, which include a wide variety of recreational and sporting events and fabulous street dances.
On 8th and 9th September, festivities are held in Castielfabib in honour of Our Lady of Grace, the patron saint of the village, with processions, bell-ringing, roasts and street dances.
On 8th December, a bonfire is lit in Castielfabib in honour of the Immaculate Conception. The event is accompanied by an open-air roast. On 13th December, festivities are held in honour of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of the village of Los Santos.
