El Vinalopo Mitja area information

vinalopa

El Vinalopo Mitja

spanish information

Bordering Murcia, this inland region of Alicante has always been an important corridor of communication between the Mediterranean and inland Spain. A far cry from the packed out beaches of the Costa Blanca, the Vinalopó Mitja is an area where you will find a chance to discover a taste of authentic Spanish living. Its countryside is lush with almond groves and vineyards and its peaceful villages continue to attract foreign residents seeking the tranquility of rural life.

Elda area information

spanish information

Elda and the adjacent town of Petrer are separated by just one street, together they form the largest urban area of El Vinalopó Mitja with a combined population of 81,000. Like the neighbouring city of Elche, the manufacture of shoes is Elda’s industrial focus and the town’s shoe museum displays an interesting array of footwear from around the globe. The town is of Moorish origin and contains the Church of Santa Ana which was originally built as a mosque. The semi-ruined Elda castle is on a hill to the north of the city. Although Petrer is just 4km away from the centre of Elda, its inhabitants speak Valenciano whereas the people of Elda speak Spanish. Petrer, also a Moorish town, is the site of one of the most impressive castles in the region, thanks to extensive restoration work.
Elda has plenty of schools, including a university, a new hospital, a 10 screen cinema complex and a Carrefour hypermarket and shopping centre complete with drive-through McDonalds.
The town has an ample range of shops and a huge indoor market selling fresh produce that is open 6 days a week.
An open air market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, selling clothes, shoes and other goods.
Elda has a national RENFE railway station with fast connections to Alicante, Murcia and the rest of Spain.
Elda is easily accessible from Alicante which is 36km away via the N330 motorway.
It is about 30 minutes drive to the coast.
Alenda Golf Club is 18km away.

Monòvar area information

spansih information

8km south of Elda in the Vinalopó valley, is the town of Monòvar. Monòvar is a semi-industrial town that, like Elda, is also fond of producing footwear. The Fondillon wine that is produced in the area is renowned. Famous for its 18th Century church with a leaning tower, the old town is attractive with steep narrow streets flanked by stone houses leading up to a clock tower. The hermitage of Santa Barbara on the hill above the town is of architectural importance
With a population 12,000, Monòvar is a lively town with bars, restaurants shops and supermarkets, a health centre, a sports centre and schools.
Situated next to the N330 motorway, Monòvar is easy to reach. It is 34km from Alicante and 26km from Alicante airport
The nearest golf club is Alenda, 15km away. Monóvar's name is from the Latin Mons-Novar meaning a 'new mount'; this fact reveals that there was a settlement on the road between Tarraco and Cartago-Nova in Roman times. As one of the largest towns in the area it has enjoyed a significant historical role, becoming a Royal Town in 1705 and undergoing significant demographic and economic growth. There were more than 200 textiles mills in 1790. During the 19th century the town's prosperity was based on the production of wine and grapes and the railway. The Fondillón wine produced in Monóvar has quite a reputation. During the 20th century the footwear and leather industries became increasingly important, in addition to the production of wine. Alicante's red marble is extracted from the Cavarrasa quarries, located in the Monóvar district.

Novelda area information

spanish information

An industrial town with a population of 24,000, Novelda is an important producer of wine and marble. The modernist church of Santuario de Santa Maria is a remarkable building, reminiscent of Gaudi’s work. The church was constructed mainly from local marble and small boulders giving it an unusual, bubbly outline. This, and the tall towers at either side of the façade lend a fairytale atmosphere to the church. Next to the church, the 12th Century La Mola castle ruins are located on an outcrop.
There are 4 large supermarkets in the town, 7 restaurants and also bars and cafes. A market is held on Wednesdays.
Novelda is 2km from the N330 motorway, making access to Alicante 28km away swift and easy.
Alenda Golf Club is just 5km away.

Aspe area information

spanish information

The town of Aspe is located on a tributary of the Vinalopo river 5km south of Novelda on the main road. The old town centre is pleasant to walk through, it has been renovated and the area is pedestrianised. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is interesting with its church and modernist casino. Spanish is spoken in the town as it was repopulated by the Aragonese after the expulsion of the Moors at the beginning of the 17th century. Today it is an important communications hub. Aspe is easily recognisable when approached from any direction due to the characteristic vineyards full of the Aledo bagged grapes that find their way into every Spanish home on New Year's Eve. The old town centre has been renovated and converted into a pedestrian area. A walk starts in the unusual Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where there is a church and Modernist casino.
A town of 16,000 people, Aspe has several large supermarkets, schools, restaurants and bars.
Alicante is 24km away , Aspe is 5km off the N330 motorway.
The Alenda Golf club is a ten minute drive from Aspe.

Pinoso area information

In the far corner of the Vinalopó Mitja, by the border with Murcia, Pinoso is a small and quiet town, surrounded by the pine groves of the Sierra del Coto. The vineyards around Pinoso produce high quality grapes and the town is an important producer of wine, the Bodega Co-operatice Wine Cellar is able to store 14,000,000 litres of the stuff. A lively fiesta is held at the beginning of August with parades, fireworks and novice bullfighters fighting young bulls. The red and white marble mines in the mountains around the town make an interesting excursion. Pinoso has attracted a number of foreign nationals seeking a quieter alternative to the lifestyle on the coast.
6km south of Pinoso is the village of Alguena, a peaceful farming village with a population of 1000. A market is held there on Sunday when the local shops stay open until midday.
For a town of 6000 inhabitants, Pinoso has a solid infrastructure. Modern amenities include a medical centre, schools, a theatre, a selection of Spanish restaurants, bars and supermarkets.
An indoor market for fresh produce is held every day and on Saturdays, the street market attracts shoppers to Pinoso.
There is an excellent sports centre with outdoor and indoor swimming pool plus tennis courts, football pitches and gymnasium.
Pinoso is 56km from Alicante and 30km from the nearest large service centre of Elda.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, 35km away.

La Romana area information

Romana information

Located in the foothills of the Sierra del Redclot a few kilometres from Alguena, La Romana has been called the village of “pine trees, marble and excellent wine.” The village, with a population of 2000, is surrounded by lovely countryside where vineyards and almond orchards are grown. In September, a “Paella in the Park” is held when a giant paella pot is set up outside and the locals take part in a fiesta. La Romana is popular with expatriates looking for a quiet, rural home.
La Romana has a local doctor, 2 small supermarkets, 3 bakers and 3 butchers, 6 bars and a large furniture store.
A street market is held on Saturday mornings.
Many British children attend the local village school.
There is a community swimming pool that opens during the summer.
La Romana is 40km from Alicante and the coast.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, a twenty minute drive away.

Hondón de las Nieves with a population of 1100 and Hondón de los Frailes with just 500 inhabitants are two villages located in the south of the region, both grape growing centres.
The large service centre of Elche with supermarkets, shops and hospitals is 14km away. There is also a train station at Elche.
Located off the main roads, the Hondóns are 8km from Aspe and 34km from Alicante.
The nearest golf course is at Albatera, 40km away.

Orihuela area information

Orihuela information. The creation of the Bishopric of Orihuela played an essential part in the identity of Orihuela and it has indelibly marked the history of the town through the ages. Orihuela was the Episcopal seat of the province of Alicante for almost four centuries and its civic traditions and artistic heritage are stamped by this major religious influence. The town possesses five national monuments including 'The temptation of Saint Thomas Aquinas' by Velázquez, the statutes of the Sacred Family by Salzillo, and the 'Diablesa' by Bussy. The Segura River has also deeply marked Orihuela as it provides boundaries to the city and is the source of the rich 'huerta' (irrigated land) of the Bajo Segura.

Today the river marks the border between the old city and the newer commercial centre, which originated in 1884 with the construction of a railway station linking Orihuela with Murcia, the city with which Orihuela is closely joined via its economy and the Segura River. Today Orihuela is the main town of the region. Today the extensive 338.5 km2 municipal district includes the second largest palm forest of the Alicante region as well as three golf courses, 16 km of town beaches including La Zenia and Dehesa de Campoamor. A walk through Orihuela should not be hurried. Most of Orihuela's glorious architecture can be traced back to either the late gothic, the Renaissance or the Baroque periods. Entering the town from Alicante and walking through the San Antón palm grove you arrive at the house-cum-museum of Miguel Hernández, located next to the former Santo Domingo University with its magnificently high cloisters and baroque portal. Walk up calle Santa Lucía, with the hill crowned by the seminary to the right, and you arrive at the Cathedral of San Salvador whose museum contains the Velázquez painting. Skirting the hill you will find two of the best and most typical churches of Orihuela, those of Santas Justa and Rufina (of gothic style with gargoyles and a tower) and Santiago (St James').

The latter contains the status of the Sacred Family by Salzillo and is the place where the Catholic Monarchs convened a general parliament (Cortes) in 1488 for the purpose of gathering funds to finance a military sortie that would culminate in the seizing of Granada in 1492. This is the origin of the shield on the magnificent gothic portal. In the old town centre you can see the recently restored Circo Theatre, the most beautiful and original theatre of the Alicante area. Holy Week is especially noted for the Burial Procession - held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday - which in Orihuela includes two exclusive events: the procession is normally presided over by an inhabitant of Orihuela who has received the immemorial right in a papal bull to remain with a covered head inside the Cathedral; and one of the floats that encircles the Cathedral is in the image of a devil in female form, popularly known as the 'Diablesa' (She-Devil), which represents the triumph of the cross over the world, the devil and the flesh. The town's extensive district stretches to the Mediterranean where there are magnificent sandy beaches with a range of services located between the Punta Prima and the Punta del Cuervo, including the Flamenca, La Zenia and Dehesa de Campoamor beaches. Tanot la Dehesa de Campoamor and Cabo Roig are two marinas suitable for leisure pursuits.

Ibi area information

At the beginning of the 20th century a tinsmith produced a tin carriage for his children. This act of affection would transform the mountain town of Ibi into a leading National Centre for Toys. The toy industry has completely changed the history, demography and the structure of the town. Ibi has grown and become industrialized thanks to the toy industry and is today the largest toy manufacturing centre in the country - its 37 companies account for 40% of the national production. However, well before this time, in the XVII century, the inhabitants of Ibi were involved in the 'cold' industry as they used to sell the ice they had collected in the surrounding mountains. Together with the nearby Xixona they became pioneers of the ice trade. Though it has restored its old town centre, Ibi is defined by its industrial activity. Ibi has a monument to the Three Kings, a Museum of Toys, a Technological Institute for Toys and a working schedule that starts in May and ends with the Three Kings festivities.

Hondon area information

The name 'Hondón de las Nieves (Snow)' is not due to its climate but results from the village's devotion to Our Lady of the Nieves - a devotion shared with the nearby town of Aspe. In 1926 the Hondón de los Frailes gained its independence from Hondón de las Nieves. Hondón is located in an area producing the bagged grapes, which have provided the main source of prosperity for this traditional farming community of the Middle Vinalopó Valley. In addition to the bagged grapes, Hondón also produces wines that can be purchased from the local wine cellar.

The historical location of La Romana in Lumbam, Hondón is a new village that gained its independence from the other Hondón, Hondón de las Nieves, in 1926. Its name results from having belonged to the Orihuela Jesuits in the 17th century. A typical agricultural village, 74 percent of its land is given over to farming, mainly of grapes, olives and almonds though it also produces other crops that grow on irrigated land. Farms are generally less than 2 hectares in size and bagged grapes sold in December are typical produce; the area belongs to the 'Denominación de Origen' label granted by the Generalitat Valenciana.

Benejama area information

Benejama on the Costa Blanca in Spain is located in the Vinalopo valley. The origian of Benejama is a Morrish farmstead. There is almond and olive fields surrounding Benejama. There is also a growing textile industry in Benejama as well as citruits fruits in the irrigated areas.

The population of Benejama is aprox 1950 people.

Distance from Benejama to Alicante is 72 km.

La Marina, Sax and Villena area information

La Marina is located 20 minutes drive south of Alicante Airport. There is a large urbanisation and everything that you could possibly need to make your stay here enjoyable is within reach at a nearby location. The Blue Flag La Marina beach is just down the road with its natural sand dunes and there is always space to spread out on miles of golden sandy beaches. Market day in La Marina is Thursday and there is also a Sunday Market at the same location adjacent to the Eurosports Center. La Marina urbanisation is situated within the local council area of San Fulgencio.

The Marina, La Escuera and El Oasis housing developments make up the most important residential and tourist areas of San Fulgencio. San Fulgencio is rich in archaeological heritage and is situated in the heart of the El Molar mountain range.

San Fulgencio itself is still a small peaceful and charming farming village and this is where the local schools are situated. Whilst the above urbanisations are filled with people from all different countries, many of the residents live here all year round, whilst others come to enjoy for their vacations. The blue flag white sandy beaches of La Marina village are only a few kilometres away by car and there is also a bus service during the summer months.

For those that seek shade in the hot summer months there are picnic areas in the dunes adjacent to the beach. The facilities on offer are excellent for example, medical centre, emergency centre (police and ambulance) tourist information office, post office, social centre, public transport links, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and many recreational areas. There is also a Municipal Sports Centre in San Fulgencio and many sports facilities in the urbanisations.

There is also a go-kart track a short drive away and also in El Oasis there is a natural park which offers a football pitch, bowles area, terrace with panoramic views, BBQ's, picnic areas, public toilets and washing-up facilities and child play area. The local market is held on Thursday and Sundays and as all Spanish markets you can buy just about everything, but especially shoes as the nearby city of Elche is where many of the Spanish shoes are made.

The airport of Alicante is 20 minutes away and San Javier about 35 minutes, both of these airports are served by the low cost airlines arriving daily from the UK.

Sax area information

The town hugs the base of a striking outcrop of rock, the summit of which bears a fourteenth century castle. The name of the town itself is derived from the Latin word Saxum, meaning rocky place. The castle is heavily fortified with battlements and towers; it is an impressive landmark by day or by night, when it is lit up. An enormous snow well was built in the rocks in the 17th Century, it was used to store snow to provide the town with water in the summer months.
Sax is situated next to the N330 motorway which runs straight into Alicante, 32km away.
The nearest golf course is Alenda Golf Club, 15km away.
Shops and other amenities are adequate, the large urban centres of Elda and Petrer are 11km away. A large British community has emerged around this area making very popular

Villena area information

Villena, the capital of the Upper Vinalopó region, is a town marked by history. It was formerly the capital of the Feudal Estate and the Duchy of Villena, which was made up of towns from five provinces. The famous medieval novelist Don Juan Manuel, the nephew of Alfonso X (The Wise) was a Lord of the town. The town is an important crossroads between Castile, Murcia and Valencia and serves both as a gateway and a border crossing. Villena's historical importance and the date of its inclusion into the province of Alicante - 1836 - have produced the town's singular culture. The town is situated in an area whose topographical features resemble the Castilian Meseta (plain), which has facilitated the development of a network of roads. The town is also known for growing dry-land crops and its famous Villena wine. Today it is a modern city with a large children's footwear industry and a growing services and commercial sector serving the surrounding villages. The imposing La Atalaya castle is the first view of the province of Alicante, when approached from Madrid. The historical centre of Villena is located around the Church of Santiago, which is a National Monument. The Casa de Cultura, the House and Museum of Fiestas, the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) and the town's two main commercial streets, calle Corredera and calle Constitución, are all located in the area next to the church. Other interesting places in the old centre are the church of Santa María, a former Moorish mosque, the Plaza Mayor and the Palace of the Mergelina family. It is also worth taking a walk through the Plaza de las Malvas and visiting the Theatre and Park dedicated to Chapí, a native of the town.

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