Ontinyent – Medieval History, Museums and Trails

For visitors interested in culture, Ontinyent begins in La Vila: The historic origin of the city was classified as a historic-artistic ensemble in the 1970s and preserves one of the most representative medieval ensembles in the Valencian lands – both in quality and quantity.

Culture

The Church of Santa María forms part of the city’s religious history. It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries, probably over a former Islamic mosque; inside, spiral pilasters support a Gothic ribbed vault, while the main portal, dating from 1530, belongs to the Renaissance style.

The Pont Vell was built in 1500. Its masonry of dressed stone blocks has withstood all the floods of the Clariano over the centuries.

The former Almudí building, dating from the 16th to 17th centuries, houses the MAOVA, the Museo Arqueológico de Ontinyent y La Vall d’Albaida. In two large exhibition areas, it presents history from the Late Paleolithic to the Modern Age.

The Fundació Museu Textil de la Comunitat Valenciana is housed in the former Hilados Manuel Revert Nadal spinning mill at Calle Músico Úbeda No. 6. Various objects from the 18th century to the present day explain the craft processes of textile production there. The museum is divided into four rooms: instruments, manufacturing, textiles and an audiovisual room.

The Museu Fester d’Ontinyent displays emblematic pieces related to the city’s festival of Moors and Christians and traces the history of these festivities. The festival of Moors and Christians in Ontinyent is recognised as a festival of international tourist interest.

Trails

The route through La Vila leads through historic streets and atzucacs, highlights important buildings in the city and reveals remnants of the old wall and towers between today’s buildings, which formed part of the original fortified complex.

The air-raid shelter route makes it possible to discover Ontinyent’s history during the Spanish Civil War and visit the interiors of recently restored air-raid shelters.

The Chimneys Route is a walking trail to the factory chimneys around Ontinyent’s historic centre. It is less than 3 kilometres long and can be completed on foot in approximately one hour.

Differences in route, duration and theme can be compared side by side when planning your day.

Nature

Fuset has a recreational area equipped with facilities and tables, as well as signposted trails that start and finish there. Fuset offers four different themed routes.

Getting there

Ontinyent is served by the València–Xàtiva–Alcoi railway line and by the regular Autobuses La Concepción bus service from Valencia.

When comparing holiday apartments in Ontinyent, you can check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. Culture, historic trails and nature are presented as different focal points for your planning.

Further destinations

Rótova, La Torre D'en Besora, Algar, Chulilla, Teresa De Cofrentes, Benisanó, Silla, Loriguilla

Cuisine

The culinary tradition associated with Ontinyent’s fair includes Coca de Fira: an oven-baked pie topped with bacon, sausages, the famous onion botifarras and pebrassos, or mushrooms.

For the broader travel overview: Valencia.