Discover Albaida: Palau, Bells and Trails

Albaida combines living traditions with historic interiors and routes through the town and its surroundings. The bells have been rung by hand here every day since the 13th century. Guided tours are offered in the 17th-century bell tower. The daily custom and the guided tour provide two different ways of accessing the history of the place: one as an ongoing tradition, the other as a building open to visitors.

Those who include a holiday apartment in Albaida in their travel plans can consider travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions separately. The accommodation decision therefore remains independent of the cultural topics and routes through Albaida.

Culture

The Palau dels Milà i Aragó was built in the 15th century on the foundations of older walls and has three towers. Inside is the Museo Internacional de Títeres de Albaida. Its collection includes puppets and marionettes from every continent. In this way, the Palau combines older architectural history with a collection whose perspective extends far beyond Albaida.

Visits to the Palau dels Milà i Aragó must always be arranged at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability. The Gothic Hall can be visited as part of guided tours organised through the Albaida Tourist Information Office. For this visit, the advance notice, availability and organisation through the Tourist Information Office are part of the practical arrangements.

The Iglesia Arciprestal de la Asunción de la Mare de Déu was built between 1592 and 1621 and preserves religious works by José Segrelles. In the Casa Museo José Segrelles, the paintings hang in the same places and in the same arrangement in which the artist kept them. Albaida therefore brings together both sacred architecture and a museum closely connected with the artist.

Trails

Albaida’s old town preserves four gates from the former medieval city wall. On a walk through Albaida, up to seven historic fountains can be discovered. Another walk passes publicly displayed ceramics and conveys the impression of an open-air museum. The three forms of experiencing the town place different emphasis on its features: the city wall, fountains and ceramics each reveal Albaida through specific traces in the public space.

La Séquia del Port is a historic, cultural and ethnographic hiking trail that begins at Port d'Albaida. The route includes Islamic irrigation channels, orchards and shady areas with high biodiversity. A walk through the town and this hiking trail therefore differ not only in name but also in their subject matter: here are historic traces of the place, while there are irrigation, gardens and shady landscape areas.

Activity

Albaida offers the “Vía Ferrata Iniciación - Medio” via ferrata for beginners to intermediate level. It forms a separate activity area alongside the cultural visits and the walking and hiking trails.

Other places: Utiel, Xirivella, Benetússer, Macastre, Los Cojos, Montroy, Alcàntera De Xúquer, Casas de Cuadra

For the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.