Natural park of the Sierra of Irta

The Natural park of the Sierra of Irta ( Parks natural Sierra of Irta ) is located in the Province of Castellón in the Valencian Communauté.

Description

The protected area extends on 7.744 hectares terrestrial and 2.448 sailors and was declared natural park by the Valencian government the July 23rd 2002.

The park includes/understands the mountain which is in comarque Baix Maestrat as well as the coastal area which borders it ( Costa del Azahar ).

Communes concerned

The park is on the territory of the following communes:

Orography

The natural park is consisted two mountainous alignments parallel at the coast and separated by the valley from the Estopet . Maximum altitude is of 543 meters (the peak Campanelles ). These mountains go down abruptly in the Mediterranean, forming with the length of the 12 km, of many cliffs, marine splits, cornices and reefs. The most important cliff is that of the Badum Tower.

Climate

This area has a Mediterranean Climat typical with a strong period of Sècheresse in summer and a pluviometric maximum in autumn.

Flora

This park is occupied by a typical vegetation of the Mediterranean Maquis formed inter alia by the dwarf Palmier or palm tree doum (name scientific: Chamaerops humilis L.) (single endemic palm tree in Europe), the Kermes oak , the Mastic tree , the genévrier of Miera , although it is possible to find species bulkier on the heights like the Genévrier de Phénicie ( Juniperus phoenicea L.). Moreover, it is necessary to note the géranium of Irta , a Endémisme of the mountain.

Fauna

Its fauna is very characteristic of the proximity of the sea. Let us note the gull of Audouin , the crested Cormoran ( Phalacrocorax aristotelis ), the petrel of Storm ( Hydrobates pelagicus ), etc

Interesting sites

The park has a rich person inheritance archaeological and artistic, among whom we will note the castles of Alcalá de Chivert and Santa Magdalena de Pulpis, which belonged to the Ordre of the Temple, as well as the remainders of an Iberian habitat of VIIe century before Jesus-Christ who is close to the first of these castles.

Moreover there exists a network of turns of watchtower intended for the protection of the zone against the maritime incursions, most important being the tower of Ebrí and the Badum tower, of Moslem origin ( atalayas ).

Are also remarkable the hermitages of Santa Lucía and San Antonio Abad , both of the 17th century.

Lastly, although not being located in the park but concerning in its northern part, it is necessary to announce the historical whole of Peñíscola, with an imposing castle templier in charge of history since it was used as residence with Benoît XIII, the Pape Luna . This village one of is attended by the tourists visiting the Valencian Community.

Access

The access to the park is very simple since it is very close to highway AP-7 and the trunk road N-340; one can choose the exits of Alcocebre, Santa Magdalena de Pulpis, Alcalá de Chivert or Peñíscola.
The Renfe offers a service road on the line of Valence to Barcelona thanks to the station of Alcalá de Chivert

External bonds

Official site of the Natural park of the Sierra of Irta
Site of the natural parks of the Valencian Community
TodoPeñiscola Guía de Peñíscola

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