Agres among Cavas, Sanctuary and the Nature of the Serra de Mariola

At an altitude of 1,220 metres, the Cava Gran d’Agres is located in Agres in the Serra de Mariola in the Comtat. It is considered an emblematic example of this type of snow-storage building and a landmark of the Serra de Mariola Natural Park. This is where the history of the town begins, with a specific structure situated between culture and mountain landscape.

History, Faith and Visible Details

The Cava was built in the 17th century and used fully for commercial purposes until 1906. The religious side of Agres comes to the fore at the Santuario de la Virgen del Castillo, which is located within the Sierra Mariola and its natural park. The origins of the Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel in Agres date back almost to the time of the Christian conquest. The parish priest of Agres already took part in diocesan synods held in Valencia during the first half of the 14th century.

Religious ceramic altarpieces known as Els Taulellets from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved in the streets and in the Santuario. The Torre Atalaya is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in accordance with the Second Additional Provision of Law 16/1985. Archaeological sites include the Cueva Beneito: it is one of the sites in Agres where traces of human presence dating from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic have been found. Since 2016, the Representació de l’Aparició de la Mare de Déu d’Agres has taken place in Agres on the last Friday and Saturday of August.

Routes through Springs and Cavas

For paths through this natural and cultural landscape, the A la sombra de las cavas route offers a clear sequence: it begins at the recreational area of the Convento de Agres, reaches the foot of the sanctuary after a short ascent and passes close to the 18th-century Cava del tejo. The Ruta de los neveros de Mariola leads to the Cava Gran. The Fonts d’Agres micro-route is just over 1.5 kilometres long. It begins at the Convent or the Santuario de la Mare de Déu del Castell and includes the Font de l’Assut and a washhouse.

Water, Yew Trees and Natural Park

Agres has numerous water springs fed by the springs of the Sierra Mariola Natural Park. After heavy rainfall, visitors can see waterfalls at Les Jordanes and Molí Mató. One of Europe’s southernmost yew populations includes centuries-old yew trees; other specimens are approaching an age of around 1,000 years.

Regional Cuisine and Choosing Your Base

Agres is also specific in culinary terms: typical dishes include Pericana, arroz caldoso, Gazpachos, Borreta and stuffed peppers. If you are looking for a hotel in Agres, you can shape the focus of your days around these features of the town: Cavas, the sanctuary, the church and ceramic altarpieces represent cultural and historical impressions; springs, waterfalls, yew trees and the routes offer experiences on foot. Regional cuisine complements this selection with a local taste.

Other Places for Orientation

Other destinations for orientation: Benidorm, Agost, Polop, Els Poblets, L’Atzúbia, Sella, Benissa, Novelda

For the overarching travel overview: Alicante.