Villarreal, Municipality in Plana Baixa region, Spain
Villarreal sits 42 meters (138 feet) above sea level along the Mijares River, 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the provincial capital Castellón de la Plana. The streets follow a grid pattern around the central square, with low residential buildings and workshops spreading toward the outskirts.
King James I of Aragon founded the settlement in 1274 during territorial reconquest, designing it as a fortified town with protective walls. The original fortification disappeared over the centuries as the town gradually expanded.
The town's name comes from 'Vila-real', meaning royal village, reflecting its foundation by royal decree rather than natural growth. Today residents gather in the Plaza Mayor, where cafés and local shops occupy the ground floors of traditional buildings with painted façades.
The town center is walkable, with parking available at the edge of the historic area. Shops and restaurants close for a few hours at midday, then reopen until evening.
The local football club won the UEFA Europa League in 2021, marking the first major European trophy for the small town. The stadium stands at the western edge, surrounded by orange groves and flat fields.
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