Vila-real
Royal Village, home of ceramics and the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal, in Spanish, officially in Valencian: Vila-real, is a town and municipality in the province of Castellón which is part of the Valencian Community in the east of Spain. The town is located at 42 m above sea level, 7 km to the south of the province's capital (Castelló de la Plana). Villarreal is separated from Castelló de la Plana by the Millars River. It has 51,367 inhabitants (2010 data), most of them living in the urban area that covers about 10.7% of its comarca's 55.4 km2 surface. Ranked by population, it is the second-largest city in the province (after the capital), and fifteenth in the Valencian Community.
Lore & Background
The town was founded with royal status by King James I of Aragon in 1274 during his campaign to regain Muslim territory in present-day Valencia during the Reconquista. It later became an agricultural centre for orange cultivation, and more recently a centre for the ceramics industry. The city is the birthplace of Francisco de Asís Tárrega y Eixea (1852–1909) who was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist of the Romantic period. He is also the composer of Gran Vals, an excerpt of which was used in a popular Nokia ringtone. In modern times Vila-real is well known for its football club that bears the city's name, a club that, in spite of the city's small size, has won the Europa League, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League (twice) and has since finished amongst the top clubs in Spain on several occasions.
Reader's Guide
Sights in the town include: Basílica de Sant Pasqual (Saint Paschal's Basilica), from the 20th century (the former building was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War). Església de Sant Jaume (Saint James's Church), from the 18th century. Plaça Major (Main Square), a square surrounded by several porticoed houses built in different periods. The City Museum 'Casa de Polo'. Chapel and park of Mare de Déu de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace). Monument of Francisco Tárrega.
Did You Know?
- Villarreal CF reached the Champions League semi-finals twice (2006 and 2022).
- Capdevila and Villarreal teammate Marcos Senna played in the Spain national squad that won UEFA Euro 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Villarreal CF called "El Submarino Amarillo"?
The nickname, meaning "The Yellow Submarine," blends the club's signature yellow kit with the working-class industrial spirit of the town. It stuck globally as a small Castellón side repeatedly punched above its weight in UEFA competitions.
What is the Estadio de la Cerámica and why does it carry that name?
It is Villarreal CF's home ground, named directly after the ceramic and pottery industry that historically defined the local economy. The name keeps the club's identity tied to the clay workshops that shaped the community long before football arrived.
What do Villarreal CF's yellow and blue kit colors signify?
Adopted since the club's 1923 founding, the yellow-and-blue stripes visually echo the golden clay of the local kilns and the Mediterranean palette of Castellón. They have become an instantly recognizable symbol of the town's craft heritage.
How did a small ceramic town produce one of Spain's most consistent European performers?
Villarreal grew out of a modest industrial community yet, through steady investment and fiercely loyal local support, built a squad capable of regular deep UEFA runs. A 4th-place La Liga finish shows just how far a town of that size has pushed in Spanish football.
When was Villarreal CF founded and what was the town like back then?
The club was established in 1923, when Villarreal was still a small community whose daily life revolved around clay extraction and pottery making. That hands-on, craft-based character remains the emotional core of the fanbase and the club's self-image today.
More in Stadium, Fans & Identity
Elsewhere in Villarreal CF
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced