Post by Ken Mullins

“Music is like a light spring breeze. You feel it all over your skin, it caresses your face, it inspires you to new achievements and charges you with new life.” ― Elena Paolino, Valencia in Bloom ================================================ (in the Valencian Community, in eastern Spain, on the Costa del Azahar by the Mediterranean Sea) Castellón de la Plana (locally known as Castelló) is a provincial capital that is overlooked by many visitors to Spain, but a great place to visit for those "in the know." Founded originally on top of nearby La Magdalena Hill, Castelló was captured from the Moors by James I of Aragon in 1233 and, on petition of its inhabitants in 1251, was moved to its present site on a fertile plain near the sea. It was made the provincial capital in 1833 and in 1873 was given the status of a city. Historic landmarks include the 14th-century Gothic-style Santa María Church, with a detached belfry, and the 17th-century town hall. Four kilometers from the city center, the Grao district is centered on the fishing port, and just to the north of here are the city's beaches. The transport hub for the Costa del Azahar and Maestrazgo regions, this area is notable for the major ceramics industry centered on the twin town of Villareal, just to the south.