Bocairent area and historic information

Bociarent area and tourist information.

A beautiful old Spanish town inland some 45 mins from Oliva. Perched into the Spanish hills with a famous square renowned for its Moors and christian celebrations around the square castle. Due to the pine or beehive shape of the town, the Moslems named Bocairent 'Bekiren'. Looking down on the town from the road, the houses appear to emerge from on top of each other, climbing up until they reach the hill summit, where the church of the Virgin of the Ascension is fixed like a lance. A beautifully town full of interesting architecture.

For centuries, Bocairent has stood facing the Sierra Mariola, renowned for 1,000s of aromatic and medicinal herbs (it is said there are over 2,000 medicinal herbs). It is situated in the 'Vall d'Albaida' (albaida valley), in the southernmost part of the province of Valencia. This steep valley is between the 'Sierra de Agullent´ and the ´Sierra Mariola´, a large part of the town (97 Km2) is mountainous with spectacular walks and scenery.

Two rivers start their journey in life in Bocairent,, each taking different courses: The Vinalopo running southwards until Santa Pola and the Clariano passing Ontiyent and leading into the river Albaida.
Bocairent is 660m above sea level: the mountains surrounding ranging between 730m of 'L'Alt del Santo Cristo', the 956m of L'Alt de Sant Jaume and the 1100 m of 'Torreta of Mariola´. The narrow width of the valley, some 3-4km wide, the steep bordering slopes of the mountain ranges and the abundant vegetation give Bocairent a particular beauty which is well worth viewing.

The climate of the Bocairent area is continental Mediterranean. The average annual temperature ranges between 12 and 14 C: the average in January being between 4 and 8 C and in August between 21 and 24 C. Rainfall, ice and dew are abundant on the northern side, and there is the occasional winter flurry of snow.

The Sierra Mariola, universally known for its richness and variety in aromatic and medicinal plants is without doubt one of the most beautiful landscapes of Valencia and a trip to the national park is a must. Full of fantastic scenery and a good head of livestock.

In 1916 Lopez Chavarri described it as the place where "The young picked their tokens of love, the ill recovered their spirit for life and scholars turned into poets".

Amongst its varied vegetation you will find different species such as kern oaks, pine trees or yews and amongst its aromatic plants juniper, sage and lavender, rosemary, thyme and chamomile. There is also a large variety of animals; Many variety of birds such as the Robin, the Raven, the Falcon and the mighty Eagle. You will laso find a varied collection of mammals to include the hedgehog, wild cat, fox, hare and rabbit.

A truly abundant and adventurous area to visit or indeed live.

History on Bocairent

The Iberians of the Contestania were the founders of most of the surrounding villages of Sierra Mariola. The famous Iberian Lion of Bocairent, masterpiece which apparently dates back to the IV to C Century, still remains and can be found in the Museo de San Pio V in Valencia. Philologists say the word Bocairent derives from Bocarius and gives credence to the claim in dating Bocairent's beginnings to the Roman era.

During the Muslim reign, Bocairent was a prestigious town, being one of the few to hold markets and become highly

At the beginning of the XI century, it formed part of the reign of 'Taifa of Denia', the castle of Bekirent being one of the most important of this reign. The bocairentine poet, Abu Marq Muhamar lbm Ruhaim, author of the Mozarabic Kjarjas was born in this era and in 1121 he joined the Court of 'Almojarife', taking charge of 'Almojarife and 'Dulwizaratán'.

Despite the ruin of the Castle of Bekirent and the passing of the years, the traces of this Arab era have barely been altered, the buildings maintaining their Islamic urban set-up and doting the medieval quarter of Bocairent with a unique beauty and attraction to be appreciated by all

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