Depopulation is a reality affecting many Valencian localities, and Castell de Cabres is a clear example. Although official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicate that the municipality has over twenty registered inhabitants, the reality is that fewer than ten people reside continuously in this locality in the Baix Maestrat.
This situation leads to a series of contradictions: deserted streets, absence of businesses, and a notable lack of basic services. Residents must make long car journeys to carry out most daily tasks. However, in return, they enjoy life in a privileged natural environment, with a more relaxed and unhurried existence.
“"Life is not easy, but it's the same everywhere."
The need for a private vehicle is essential for living in a village with these characteristics. Essential services are located outside the locality, forcing residents to rely on cars for any shopping or errands. Despite this, residents value the tranquility and different pace of life, far from the hustle and bustle of large cities.
Among the most valued aspects are the natural surroundings, which are not found in a city, and the ability to spend days calmly, walking along the paths. However, they also face difficulties such as the reduction of medical services, which previously included in-person consultations and are now mostly by phone or require trips to the hospital. Weather phenomena, such as snow and ice, also pose a challenge, as they can cut off roads and create danger.
Despite the shortcomings and isolation, the overall assessment of life in Castell de Cabres is positive for its inhabitants. Many of them would not know how to live anywhere else, as there are always tasks to do, and life, though remote in some aspects, offers a quality they do not find in other environments.
