How to visit and what to see in Las Palmas Desert (Castellón)

During your stay or on a getaway to the holiday village of Benicàssim, in the province of Castellón, you have an essential excursion: climb to the Las Palmas Desert.

Contrary to what you might assume from its name, the name of Desert of Las Palmas does not refer to an arid desert area, as it may suggest, but rather it is a natural Park.

With an area of ​​about 3.200 hectares, the Las Palmas Desert natural park It extends through the mountainous area behind the coastal town of Benicàssim.

Even the first time I visited the Desert of Las PalmasMany years ago, this natural area had a lush forest, which practically disappeared after the large fires it suffered in 1985 and 1992.

Currently, said forest is in the process of recovery.

What to see when visiting the Las Palmas Desert

On the other hand, the name of desert refers to the spaces enabled by the Order of the Carmelites for spiritual retreat, whose main exponent is the monastery which was built in 1694.

Since then, several small hermitages which historically became retreat places.

In fact, until a few years ago a Carmelite friar remained retired in one of these hermitages.

Las Palmas Desert Monastery

The original building of monastery It was seriously damaged in 1783 after torrential rains, forcing the construction of a new monastery that was completed in 1791.

Since then the Carmelite monastery of the Las Palmas Desert It has had great importance throughout history.

In fact, it is currently the largest property belonging to the Church in Spain.

In this monastery Various notable events have also occurred; For example, during the visit they told us that the muscat wine.

Of course, the friar Fran Antonio de Jesús María During his stay in the monastery, he developed a study on aromatic herbs, and the result was to begin to produce and market the well-known Carmelite Liqueur.

This tradition is currently maintained in the Carmelitano Wineries de Benicàssim, where the aforementioned liquor continues to be produced in an artisanal way.

On a visit to the wineries you can learn what this artisanal process is like.

Viewpoints of the Las Palmas Desert in Castellón

Al climb to the Las Palmas Desert, since the viewpoints that is in this natural park you will have the opportunity to see the best panoramic views of Benicàssim and its surroundings.

A classic of Desert of Las Palmas is restaurant which is located on a hill near the monastery, from whose terrace of the picnic area you will have excellent panoramic views of the natural park.

Sacred Museum of the Las Palmas Desert monastery

An interesting visit is, without a doubt, the Sacred Museum of the Carmelite Monastery which has a collection of objects of great artistic value, which have come to this place from numerous Carmelite convents around the world.

The collection preserved in the museum exceeds 6.000 objects and artistic works, 600 of which are displayed in two small rooms that now serve the exhibition function.

At present, the Monastery of the Desert of Las Palmas hosts the monastic archive most important in Spain, which is regularly consulted by numerous scientists.

Specifically, the museum was founded in 1971, and now the Carmelite order is planning to expand it.

During the visit to these two rooms you will be able to see objects of great artistic value, or of great historical interest, from paintings and sculptures, to ceramics, metalwork or engravings.

Thus, for example, in this museum embroideries of St. Teresa of Jesus that belonged to Lucia of Fatima. Or the Christ with the Beautiful Eyes, which also belonged to Santa Teresa.

You can also see a couple of pieces that remain from the old mosque of Valencia on display, or a Gothic virgin with a sweet smile.

Las Palmas Desert Museum visit schedules

The visit to the Las Palmas Desert museum It takes place every Sunday, after morning mass, throughout the year.

But if you are going to go on another day of the week, you can call 64 300 950 where you can make an appointment to visit it.

El price of admission It is 2 euros.

Spiritual retreat in Desierto Las Palmas

On a walk around the monastery you can go up to the grounds of the High Goal, which by means of a gate opens or closes access to the monastery grounds from the paths that come through the mountain.

If you want to make your own meditation In the environment that the friars lived, you have a spirituality center where you can retire for a price from 15 euros per night.

You can also rent a hermitage for a spiritual retreat, which have been rehabilitated for this purpose, with individual use.

You can reserve it by calling tel. 964 300 786.

Photos Las Palmas Desert in Castellón

In advance of your visit, here is more photos of the Las Palmas Desert and its Carmelite monastery, place you can visit near Benicassim.