The village of Fortanete is located at the foot of a hill, at an altitude of 1353 meters, in the center of the basin of the Rambla del Mal Burgo, headwaters of the river Pitarque. Its incredible views are surrounded by two robust mountain ranges: the Sierra de la Cañada and the Tarrascón-Las Lastras mountain ranges. Its natural environment is dominated mainly by high, cool pastures and, above all, by the extensive and well-kept sessile pine forests.
Fortanete is considered “The Hidden Jewel of Maestrazgo”. This small town, once a well-populated and prosperous village, has many hidden corners to discover beyond its imposing natural heritage.
The village, which was originally located in the shelter of the castle and its walled enclosure, has gradually moved to the lower part of the hillside. The monumental nucleus is located around the church of La Purificación, a baroque temple presided over by its spectacular ashlar tower. Next to its head is the town hall, a building built in 1520 and which in 1588 was opened with three arches and in 1798 the large coats of arms of the facade were painted. Very close to both buildings there are several large houses. The Dukes of Medinacelli (1578), the Marquises of Villasegura (1578), the Marquises of Villasegura (15th century XVI), the Dukes (16th century XVI), the Daudén family (16th XVII), etc. A little farther away are the old furnace and the bridge (century XVI).
But we also find numerous buildings of interest scattered throughout the rest of the municipality. For example, the Castle of El Cid (XI-XII centuries), the fortified farmhouse of La Torre. There are also several hermitages, such as Loreto (1648), Santa Bárbara (1715), San Cristóbal (around 1500) and Buen Suceso, the latter linked to worship in the farmhouses.
If Fortanete can boast of anything, it is, above all, its landscape. Those who want to enjoy it thoroughly just have to put on their running shoes and walk calmly along the sections of the GR-8 trail. This trail that crosses the municipality, coming from Cantavieja and heading to Valdelinares. And it is full of ravines and mountain ranges and, in spring, of extensive fields of red poppies standing out against the green of the cereal.
Do you want to visit the inside of a building? Click on the following link and contact the Tourist Office at the times indicated to book your visit. Web of Fortanete
