Discover Onil: Doll Culture, Festivals and Nature

The Museo de la Muñeca is located in the former manor house of the Payá family, the Casa de l'Hort. Here, you can explore the history of Onil's doll industry, from handcrafted production through industrialisation to modernisation. The collection includes classic and contemporary dolls, as well as a Playmobil city installation. Guian-te's Ruta de la Muñeca includes a visit to the themed museum in the Payá family's manor house and the creation of your own doll.

Culture and history

The Museo de la Fiesta documents the Moors and Christians festivals with costumes, information panels and photographs, as well as the history of the six Comparsas. The Sala de los Reyes Magos displays the costumes from Onil's Three Kings procession, complemented by local Christmas elements such as Fatxos and a nativity scene set up in a tower. During the Nit dels Fatxos on Christmas Eve, Onil residents spin esparto torches that are carried through the town's streets; a competition is held for this purpose in the Plaza Mayor.

The Palacio Fortaleza del Marqués de Dos Aguas was reportedly built from around 1539 and completed around 1614, according to the municipal authorities; the 1539 date has not been fully confirmed. To the west of the palace stands the Iglesia parroquial Santiago Apóstol, which was completed in 1778. Its altarpiece, the Capella del Nostre Senyor Robat and the baptistery are considered particularly valuable from an art-historical perspective. Onil's air-raid shelter contains parts of the original electrical wiring, a 50-kilogram bomb, remnants of the air-raid siren, numerous photographs and a video.

The Monasterio de la Inmaculada was built between 18 February 1674 and 4 October 1687. Inside are paintings and frescoes; the chapels of San Pascual and San Francisco were recently restored. The contemporary art collection of the Certamen de Pintura Eusebio Sempere comprises 59 works at the Centro Cultural de Onil. The Pouet de la Neu o de Palillos bears an inscription dated to the second half of the 18th century and has a capacity of 250 cubic metres.

The Moors and Christians patron-saint festivals in Onil have been celebrated since the 18th century. Their programme includes folk dances, the Retretas, Correfocs, the Nit de l'Olleta, fireworks and, on 28 April, the costumed Entrada procession. The Fiestas de los Reyes Magos de Onil take place on 4, 5 and 6 January; the arrival of the herald on 4 January is classified as a festival of local tourist interest.

Landscape and nature

The Mirador Calle del Mar is located above Onil's old town at the foot of the Sierra de Onil and offers views across the Foia de Castalla; on sunny days, the Mediterranean can be seen. Coto Escolar is a small natural area protected by a large pine stand, with a fountain, ponds, barbecue areas, tables and benches. Coto Escolar provides very easy access to the Sierra de Onil.

Casa Tápena is located on the outskirts of Onil and covers 84,088 square metres, including a building, gardens, ponds, agricultural areas and the Casa Tápena maze, which is open to visitors. The Mediterranean garden contains more than 60 native plant species. The cypress maze covers 7,000 square metres and invites visitors to take a stroll. Casa Tápena can be reached by car via the CV-803; from Onil town centre, the maze can be reached on foot in around 30 minutes.

Longer walks and several hiking trails are possible around the Paraje Ermita de Santa Ana. The recreational area has toilets, parking facilities, drinking-water fountains, barbecue areas, tables and benches.

Trails and activities

The PR-V 87 runs for 21 kilometres from Onil via El Rebolcador and Castalla, returning to Onil. The PR-V 88 leads for 20.5 kilometres from Onil to El Reconco and back to Onil. The PR-V 90 runs for 8.5 kilometres from Fonteta Soriano via Onil to Banyeres de Mariola. The PR-V 141 leads for 17 kilometres from Casa Tápena in Onil to Xorret de Catí in Castalla. The PR-V 160, a section of the GR 7, runs for 32.3 kilometres from Casa Tápena to Mas de Prats in Onil.

Trail Natura offers guided hikes on easy trails in the natural area and also organises cycling and mountain-biking activities. The different routes and distances provide various opportunities to compare the trails and landscapes around Onil.

Crafts and local themes

The Museo del Aceite provides information about olive oil and the tools used to produce it. Guian-te's Experiencia rural includes making Licor herbero and explains how olive oil is produced.

More local pages: Benimassot, Relleu, Catral, Orba, Tàrbena, San Felipe Neri, Benitachell, Barbarroja.

Visitor information

The Onil Tourist Information Office is located at Avda. de la Paz 2, in the Casa de l'Hort building.

To the main travel overview: Alicante.