Portal del Collado: a remnant of the ancient walls of Fórnoles
Explore the Portal del Collado, one of the last surviving gates of the ancient walls of Fórnoles. Discover its history tied to the Order of Calatrava and the Carlist battles that shaped the Matarraña.
The fortress of Fórnoles: history of the Portal del Collado
Fórnoles, a town with deep-rooted history, remained heavily fortified owing to its strategic location in a frontier land of great importance at the heart of the Matarraña. In 1209, the Order of Calatrava took possession of the Castle of Monroyo, to which the town belonged at that time. This religious and military order promoted the construction of the castle, which was probably built on a pre-existing Arab fortification.
Over time, between the 15th and 16th centuries, the urban core of Fórnoles expanded, and a wall was erected surrounding the town. Some remnants lie hidden inside the houses. The Portalet, situated next to the church, and the Portal del Collado, which must have served as the main entrance to the town, are examples of these remnants.
This gate is one of the few elements remaining from the ancient walls, which have not been preserved in their entirety to the present day. Could you tell us when they were destroyed? The ancient walls of Fórnoles were destroyed during the First Carlist War, a succession conflict that took place between 1833 and 1840, which pitted supporters of the Infante Carlos María Isidro de Borbón against the Isabelinos or Cristinos, defenders of Isabel II and the Queen Regent María Cristina de Borbón.
These architectural remains are silent witnesses to the rich history of Fórnoles and its strategic importance in the Matarraña region.
What does the Portal del Collado conceal today?
Today, the Portal del Collado is partially hidden beneath a vernacular construction. This town gate features a round arch on the exterior, with a shield at its keystone and an inscription. On the inside, a segmental arch can be seen. The passageway itself has a flat roof, with different characteristics in each of its two sections. In the first, following the arch outside the walls, it has a ceiling of planks laid transversely to the axis of the street. The second section is covered by a floor structure of wooden beams, between which small vaulted panels rise, which seems to indicate that it was built at different times. These architectural remains are silent witnesses to the rich history of Fórnoles and its strategic importance in the comarca.
Matarraña · Tourism
Plan your experience
Discover accommodation, local guides and services for your route through Matarraña.