Vallivana Sanctuary

Vallivana Sanctuary stands in an isolated setting roughly 20 km southeast of Morella, in the Els Ports region of Castellón province, Valencian Community. For the people of Morella this is the area's principal Marian shrine — a small complex made up of a church, a former pilgrims' hospice, and a scatter of auxiliary buildings at the edge of the forest.

What will you see there?

The core of the complex is its church. The first place of worship on this site predates 1414 — historical records note that Pope Benedict XIII, known as "Papa Luna," stayed here. At the altar sits the object the whole devotion revolves around: a small terracotta figure of the Virgin of Vallivana, just 25 cm tall, dated to the 14th century.

Beyond the church, the former hospice building still stands on the grounds. For centuries it gave pilgrims a place to rest after the long walk from Morella. The setting itself — quiet, wooded, well off the main tourist routes — is part of what makes a visit worthwhile.

How do you get there?

Vallivana sits about 20 km from central Morella, reached by a road running through the Els Ports countryside. Driving is the most practical option — the road is passable year-round, though it's worth checking conditions in winter, when snow can affect this mountainous stretch of Castellón. Walking the same route is possible and has been practiced by local pilgrims for centuries, but it demands proper preparation — it's a full day's walk one way.

When is the best time to visit?

The standout date on the calendar is the first Saturday of May, when the annual romería takes place — a pilgrimage from Morella to the sanctuary. The custom dates back to 1478, when the town's residents committed to an annual pilgrimage to one of the region's sanctuaries, rotating between them each year. From 1620 onward, the destination was fixed permanently to Vallivana, and the tradition continues in that form today, drawing growing numbers of participants each year.

The image of the Virgin of Vallivana was canonically crowned on 28 August 1910, and in 1952 she was declared Morella's Canonical Patroness. That status ties into another, far better-known local tradition: the Sexenni. After a plague struck Morella in 1671, residents made a vow of gratitude to the Virgin of Vallivana, promising to hold a novena in her honor every six years. That vow survives to this day and has grown into the town's major festival.

Outside the first Saturday of May, the quieter months of spring and autumn are worth considering — the surrounding Els Ports hills are at their most scenic then, and the temperatures are better suited to a longer walk or drive.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Vallivana Sanctuary from Morella? About 20 kilometers, along a road through the Els Ports area. Driving typically takes 25–30 minutes.

Do you have to walk to visit the sanctuary? No — the site is accessible by car. Walking is the traditional way to arrive, though, and pilgrims have done it for centuries, especially during the May romería.

What is the most important object inside the sanctuary? A 14th-century terracotta figure of the Virgin of Vallivana, 25 cm tall, canonically crowned in 1910.

What is the Sexenni, and how does it connect to Vallivana? The Sexenni is Morella's major festival, held every six years. Its origin traces back to a vow made to the Virgin of Vallivana after a 1671 plague — in gratitude for the epidemic's end, residents pledged to hold recurring religious celebrations.