The Desert de les Palmes Nature Reserve (Spanish: , Valencian: ) is a nature preserve in the province of Castellón, in the Valencian Community, Spain.
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"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.). 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.
Municipalities Benicàssim Borriol Cabanes Castellón de la Plana La Pobla Tornesa
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