Discover La Vall D'alcalà: churches, castles and trails

Traces of the former Castell de la Vall d'Alcalà can be seen in the centre of Alcalà de la Jovada. A walk through Alcalà de la Jovada also offers views of the Torre de la Donzella. On the Plaça del Bisbe Vilaplana, opposite the town hall, there is a modern stone fountain with a bronze head of al-Azraq, from whose mouth water flows into a semicircular basin.

Culture and history

The Església Parroquial de la Puríssima Concepció is a cultural heritage site in the centre of Alcalà de la Jovada. The Església de la Puríssima Concepció d'Alcalà de la Jovada was inaugurated in 1636 over the main body of a former castle or manor house, as well as over the remains of a mosque. It preserves elements of the fortifications of the earlier structure. Below the Puríssima church there is an almost natural stone-built spring with a stone basin and dense vegetation.

The Castillo de la Vall d'Alcalà is designated as a cultural heritage site. The origins of the Castell d'Alcalà o de Benissili date back to the 11th century; historically, it was tasked with monitoring and defending access to the valley from inland areas. North of Alcalà de la Jovada lies the former Moorish settlement of L'Atzubieta, separated from the town by a river. The Moorish settlement Poblado morisco de l’Atzubieta includes the remains of a waterwheel, an irrigation channel, a mill, an oil press, a bridge and the immediately adjoining gardens.

Xarpolar is an Iberian archaeological site at the western end of Foradada, at an altitude of 900 metres. The Aqüeducte dates from the late 16th or early 17th century, is now surrounded by nature and can be used as a path.

Nature and routes

The Girona River rises in the Fontblanca gorge near Alcalà de la Jovada. The Alcalà - Castell d'Al-Azraq - Xarpolar route begins in Alcalà de la Jovada, while the Les Neveres d'Alcalà route starts in the main square of Alcalà de la Jovada. The route to the Castell d'Alcalà o de Benissili is considered moderately difficult. Different starting points and an explicitly stated difficulty level provide two clear details for planning your own route.

Food and festivals

Mintxos are cooked on a griddle and filled with Mullador, for example with onions and tomatoes, river prawns and tomatoes, anchovies or sausage. La Vall d'Alcalà is part of the protected geographical indication Cireres de la Muntanya d'Alacant.

The Al-Azraq Festival is a gastronomy, culture and tourism fair held in the municipality of Alcalà de la Jovada. The patron-saint festivities of Alcalà de la Jovada take place from 7 to 14 August. Ice from the Nevera de Dalt was formerly sold at regional markets and supplied coastal ports such as Dénia. The Nevera de Baix dates from the 18th century, when the snow trade reached its peak.

Getting there

Alcalà de la Jovada can be reached from Pego either via Vall d'Ebo on the CV-712 or via Vall de Gallinera on the CV-700.

Other places

Xinorlet, Beneixama, Tangel, Aigües, Salinas, Alfafara, Callosa D'en Sarrià, Canyades d'en Cirus

To the higher-level travel overview: Alicante.