Beniarbeig: History, Girona River and Hiking Trails

The Girona River shapes the urban structure of Beniarbeig. The traditional historic centre along the river reveals a medieval street layout. Part of Beniarbeig’s old bridge has been preserved as a historic monument in the river park.

For personal planning, culture, routes and hikes are presented as distinct areas of focus; local history, walks and hiking trails are clearly differentiated topics.

Culture

The Església de Sant Joan Baptista is a Baroque parish church built at the end of the 18th century. The church houses a Pietà, or sculpture of the reclining Christ, created in 1773 by the Valencian sculptor José Esteve i Bonet. The Parròquia de Sant Joan Baptista has three bells currently recorded, including the Sant Joan Baptista, cast in 1741.

The Ruta Històrica begins at Plaça 9 d’Octubre, where the current town hall and municipal library are located. In Beniarbeig, it passes the Church of Sant Joan Baptista, the Pont Vell, the Cava d’aigua and the Benihomer Mill.

History

Beniarbeig’s former town hall was built in 1925, restored in 2005 and subsequently converted into the Centre Social. The Escoles Velles de Beniarbeig were built in 1931 with financial support from the Santonja family. The former boys’ school building continues to serve as a meeting place for Beniarbeig’s brass band.

The Casa Santonja estate consists of a group of Neo-Gothic buildings constructed between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The Ermita de la Casa Santonja includes a chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Nature and Routes

Walks along the routes around Beniarbeig reveal preserved water-management structures such as basins, mills, irrigation channels, waterwheels and weirs. The Via Segura del Baix Girona begins at Beniarbeig’s sports centre, passes through Ondara and El Verger to Els Poblets, and is 4.5 kilometres long.

The circular SL-CV 158 Dels Racons hiking route passes through the predominantly agricultural surroundings of the municipality of Beniarbeig and near the Gegant de Pedra, also known as Gegant Adormit, in the Serra de Segària. Cova Bolumini was used as a dwelling and, during the Early Bronze Age, as a burial site; rock art in the form of several painted lines on a natural pillar has also been documented there.

Around the summer solstice, as well as in the days before and after it, sunlight enters Cova Bolumini shortly after dawn.

Annual Cycle

The Festes de Sant Domènec are held regularly on the first weekend of August. The Festes de Sant Roc are regularly celebrated during the last week of August. The Festa de Sant Antoni is regularly celebrated on 26 January.

Other Places

El Fondó De Les Neus, Mutxamel, Calpe, La Mandarina, L'Atzúbia, Busot, Beniaia, Parcent

For the higher-level travel overview: Alicante.