Desert de les Palmes Natural Park
The Desert de les Palmes Nature Reserve (Spanish: Parque Natural del Desierto de Las Palmas, Valencian: Desert de les Palmes) is a nature preserve in the province of Castellón, in the Valencian Community, Spain.
Desierto de Las Palmas Desert de les Palmes | |
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Map of the Desert of the Palms Park | |
Location | |
Nearest city | Benicàssim |
Coordinates | 40.081°N 0.037°E |
Area | 3293 hectares |
Established | October 16, 1989 |
Governing body |
Basic information
The 3,293 hectare area was declared a nature preserve by the valencian government on October 16, 1989. The area burned on numerous occasions in 1985 and 1992, which is why there is little wild forest there. The name of the preserve comes from the historical presence of a religious order of Carmelita Mendicants. This order calls spaces that are dedicated to spiritual retreat "holy deserts" (los "Santos Desiertos"[1]). The second part of the name comes from the abundance of palms (Chamaerops humilis) in the area. Chamaerops are the only palm endemic to Europe.[2][3]
Municipalities
Image gallery
- Ancient monastery (in ruins).
References
- Cf. FELIPE DE LA VIRGEN DEL CARMEN, La Soledad Fecunda. Santos Desiertos de Carmelitas Descalzos. Madrid: Editorial de Espiritualidad, 1961. Ver especialmente: "Capítulo IX: Santo Desierto de la Transverberación de Santa Teresa de Las Palmas (Castellón de la Plana)", pp. 289-309.
- turismodecastellon@dipcas.es, Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Castellón. "Parque Nacional del Desierto de las Palmas. Riqueza histórica, natural y paisajística". www.turismodecastellon.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- "Desierto de las Palmas Natural Park Spain". Catalonia & Valencia Travel Guides. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2018-02-23.