Discover La Vall D'alcalà: Castle History, Trails and Cuisine

La Vall D'alcalà leads to Alcalà de la Jovada, where you can discover religious architectural history, former Moorish settlements, trails and regional cuisine. In the town centre stands the Església Parroquial de la Puríssima Concepció, while the Girona River rises in the Fontblanca gorge near Alcalà de la Jovada.

Church, Castle Remains and Squares in the Town

The Església Parroquial de la Puríssima Concepció is a religious heritage site in the town centre of Alcalà de la Jovada. It was inaugurated in 1636 over the main body of a former castle or manor house and over the remains of a mosque. The church also preserves elements of the fortifications of the earlier building. In the town centre, traces of the former Castell de la Vall d'Alcalà can be seen; the Castillo de la Vall d'Alcalà is listed as a heritage site.

During a walk, you can see the Torre de la Donzella. On Plaça del Bisbe Vilaplana, opposite the town hall, there is a modern stone fountain with a bronze head of al-Azraq. Water flows from its mouth into a semicircular basin. Below the Puríssima Church there is also an almost natural stone-built fountain with a stone basin and dense vegetation.

Historic Settlements and Elevation

North of Alcalà de la Jovada lies the former Moorish settlement of L'Atzubieta, separated from the town by a river. The Poblado morisco de l’Atzubieta includes the remains of a waterwheel, an irrigation canal, a mill, an oil press, a bridge and the immediately adjoining gardens. Xarpolar is an Iberian archaeological site at the western end of Foradada, at an elevation of 900 metres.

The Castell d'Alcalà o de Benissili also represents the history of the valley. Its origins date back to the 11th century. Historically, the Castell served to monitor and defend access to the valley from inland areas.

Aqüeducte, Neveres and Trails

The Aqüeducte dates from the late 16th or early 17th century and is now located amidst nature. It can be used as a trail. The Nevera de Baix dates from the 18th century, when the snow trade reached its peak. The ice from the Nevera de Dalt was formerly sold at regional markets and supplied coastal ports such as Dénia.

The Alcalà - Castell d'Al-Azraq - Xarpolar route begins in Alcalà de la Jovada, while the Les Neveres d'Alcalà route starts at the main square of Alcalà de la Jovada. The route to the Castell d'Alcalà o de Benissili is considered moderately difficult. From Pego, Alcalà de la Jovada can be reached either via Vall d'Ebo on the CV-712 or via Vall de Gallinera on the CV-700.

Regional Cuisine and Festivals

The culinary side of La Vall D'alcalà includes Mintxos. They are cooked on a griddle and filled with Mullador, for example with onions and tomatoes, river prawns and tomatoes, anchovies or sausage. La Vall d'Alcalà is also part of the protected geographical indication Cireres de la Muntanya d'Alacant.

The Al-Azraq Festival is a gastronomy, culture and tourism fair held in the municipality of Alcalà de la Jovada. The patron saint festivals of Alcalà de la Jovada take place between 7 and 14 August.

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