Discover Relleu: Mountain Valley, History and Trails

Culture and History

The Castillo de Relleu stands in ruins on the hill above the municipality; parts of several towers and numerous sections of wall remain. The site is designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Iglesia Parroquial de San Jaime was built in the 17th century on a former cemetery in the town. It has a nave and the Chapel of Mare de Déu del Miracle; its bells are considered the oldest in the entire province of Alicante.

At the southeastern edge of the municipal area, immediately before the area of Orxeta, lies the Pantano de Relleu. It collects the water of the Amadorio River and consists of an arch dam built in the 18th century, 30 metres high and with a wall thickness of 10 metres. The dam was a prototype of the arch-vault type.

The Museo Etnológico-Histórico de Relleu displays donated objects, archaeological remains, centuries-old documents and historical photographs. The CM Museu de Relleu is housed in the former town hall of Relleu, whose construction dates back to 1793.

Trails and Activities

The Ermita de Sant Albert can be reached via the fully restored Via Crucis and offers views across the municipal area. The municipality of Relleu offers guided tours on these trails for groups of 5 to 50 people and also organises workshops for schoolchildren.

The Ruta del Pantano de Relleu offers a 10-kilometre circular route option with an estimated duration of three hours, as well as a 3.6-kilometre linear option, for which around one hour is estimated. The route partly follows the restored old mule track Camí de les Ripalmes, also known as del Fasamais, and passes a lime kiln, old irrigation basins, weirs and irrigation channels. The different lengths and walking times help when comparing suitable day plans.

The Pasarela de la presa de Relleu is an approximately 850-metre round trip starting at the wooden hut where entrance tickets are sold. Los Tolls are small pools where you can swim in summer. Relleu also has via ferratas such as the Figueret via ferrata, canyoning and organised mountain-bike routes. A second glass viewing platform is located above the canyon of the Amadorio River.

Festivals and Regional Cuisine

The Rodà de les „Aixames“ takes place on 24 December: children walk through Relleu with esparto-grass torches, the „aixames“, singing Christmas carols and finally rolling the burning torches across the Plaza Mayor. Sant Antoni del Porquet is a festival of provincial tourist interest and is celebrated on the weekend closest to Sant Antoni’s name day. The programme combines tradition, culture, music and gastronomy.

On the first weekend in August, the pilgrimage to the Ermita de Sant Albert takes place, along with a sardine meal, paella, piñatas, a fancy-dress parade, orchestras and „la banyà“. La Mare de Deu d’Abril is celebrated every year around 11 April with an offering, a mass and a procession in honour of the Virgen del Milagro, ending at the Chapel of the Virgin.

Traditional dishes from Relleu include les fasseures, olleta, pericana, rice dishes and cocas. The traditional production of olive oil continues in Relleu. The Oleo Tour Señorios de Relleu includes a visit to centuries-old olive groves, the Masia El Teuladi and its olive mill dating from 1918, as well as an olive-oil tasting and food pairing.

Getting There and Information

The main access route to Relleu leads from Villajoyosa via the CV-770, which connects Sella and Orxeta. Tourist Info Relleu is located in the Casa Consistorial at Plaza Constitución 1.

Further Destinations

Ondara, Bolulla, La Mandarina, Benidoleig, Altea, Penella, Benferri, Algorfa

To the overarching travel overview: Alicante.