Discover Estivella: Sierra Calderona, Culture and Holiday Apartments

Estivella has hiking trails and paths offering views of Garbí in Sierra Calderona Natural Park. During your stay, you can choose your own focus between outdoor activities, culture and local festivals.

More places: Bocairent, Caudete De Las Fuentes, Xirivella, Barrio Arroyo, Salem, Turís, Camp de Túria and La Torre D'en Besora.

Culture and History

The Pont d’Estivella has three arches, is 90 metres long overall and reaches a maximum height of 11 metres above ground level. Construction began in 1791 under the direction of Valencian architect Vicent Gascó. The current structure of the Els Arcs Aqueduct was built after 1581 and consists of twelve arches of different shapes. The Els Arcs Aqueduct is one of the significant hydraulic structures in Camp de Morvedre and belongs to the Acequia Mayor de Sagunto.

The Ermita de la Creu del Garbí dates back to a cross erected on the mountain in 1787 and the construction of the actual chapel in 1804. Its roof is supported by four arches, and the chapel was restored in 1993. The Castillo de Beselga in Estivella dates back to the 15th century and incorporates a considerably older Almohad tower from the 12th century. Part of the fortification’s masonry has been preserved and remains visible. The remains can be explored via installed stairs and railings; information panels explain the history. The main altar of the Church of Santos Juanes is gilded and well preserved, and is considered a rare example of its kind.

The Cisterna Nova is also one of the area’s defining structures: completed in 1854, it consists of an outer cabin with access to a staircase, a barrel vault, a basin and two large round arches.

Nature

The Puntal de l’Abella area in Estivella is designated as a floristic micro-reserve. Birds of prey such as short-toed snake eagles, goshawks, sparrowhawks and eagle owls, as well as the Spanish pond turtle and other reptiles, can be found in the Sierra Calderona near Estivella; Sierra Calderona is also designated as a special protection area for birds.

Font del Barraix lies in the heart of Sierra Calderona and is considered a meeting place for people who want to cycle or hike there. Nature observation and outdoor activities therefore stand as independent themes alongside the buildings and festival traditions.

Trails and Travel Planning

The branch of the GR 10 leads to Estivella via the Azagador de Beselga. All services and public transport are available there, so a crossing can be started or completed at this point. Hiking and cycling represent different types of activity alongside culture and festivals; you can organise your own itinerary around these focuses.

When planning a holiday apartment in Estivella, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation conditions on the accommodation listing pages. You can match your preferred focus between nature, buildings and festivals with your own travel period.

Festivals and Traditions

The Sant Blai festival on 3 February is celebrated in Estivella with Calderas and Coquetes de Sant Blai, as well as with a mass and procession. A festival in honour of the saint from the Ermita de Beselga is celebrated in the town for a week in August with dances, mass, fireworks, processions and a pilgrimage.

For the overarching travel overview: Valencia.