Discover Onil: Doll Museum, Festivals and Trails into the Sierra

Onil combines a distinctive festival and museum culture with viewpoints, natural areas and several routes in the Sierra de Onil. The Museo de la Muñeca, the Moors and Christians festivals and the historic buildings in the town give cultural days a distinctive character. Outside the town centre, walks, hiking trails and cycling routes lead into the countryside. Those who choose a hotel in Onil can therefore combine cultural attractions in the town with nature and route-based destinations around the Sierra.

From Dolls to Processions

The Museo de la Muñeca is located in the former manor house of the Payá family, the Casa de l'Hort. It presents the history of Onil's doll industry – from handcrafted production through industrialisation to modernisation. On display are classic and contemporary dolls as well as a Playmobil city installation. Guian-te's Ruta de la Muñeca includes a visit to this themed museum and the making of your own doll.

The Museo de la Fiesta documents the Moors and Christians festivals with costumes, information panels and photographs, as well as the history of the six Comparsas. The programme includes folk dances, retretas, Correfocs, the Nit de l'Olleta, fireworks and, on 28 April, the costumed Entrada procession. The patron saint's festivals have been celebrated in Onil since the 18th century. Another seasonal highlight is the Fiestas de los Reyes Magos de Onil on 4, 5 and 6 January. The arrival of the herald on 4 January is classified as a festival of local tourist interest. In the Sala de los Reyes Magos, you can see the costumes worn in the Three Kings procession, as well as Fatxos and a nativity scene set up in a tower. During the Nit dels Fatxos on Christmas Eve, residents spin esparto-grass torches through the streets; a competition is held for this on the Plaza Mayor.

Historic Buildings and Special Collections

The Palacio Fortaleza del Marqués de Dos Aguas was reportedly built from around 1539 and completed around 1614; the date of 1539 has not been fully confirmed. To the west of the palace stands the Iglesia parroquial Santiago Apóstol, completed in 1778. Its altarpiece, the Capella del Nostre Senyor Robat and the baptistery are considered particularly valuable from an art-historical perspective. The Monasterio de la Inmaculada was built between 18 February 1674 and 4 October 1687. Inside are paintings and frescoes; the San Pascual and San Francisco chapels have recently been restored. At the Centro Cultural de Onil, the contemporary art collection of the Certamen de Pintura Eusebio Sempere comprises 59 works. Onil's air-raid shelter preserves parts of the original electrical wiring, a 50-kilogram bomb, remains of the air-raid siren, numerous photographs and a video. The Pouet de la Neu o de Palillos is also one of the town's tangible historic traces, with an inscription dated to the second half of the 18th century and a capacity of 250 cubic metres.

Viewpoints, Gardens and Trails

Above the old town, at the foot of the Sierra de Onil, lies the Mirador Calle del Mar. From there, the view extends across the Foia de Castalla; on sunny days, the Mediterranean can be seen. The Coto Escolar is a small natural area sheltered by a large stand of pine trees and equipped with a fountain, ponds, barbecue areas, tables and benches. From there, the Sierra de Onil is very easy to access. Longer walks and several hiking trails are possible around the Paraje Ermita de Santa Ana recreation area. It also has toilets, parking, drinking-water fountains, barbecue areas, tables and benches.

On the outskirts, Casa Tápena covers 84,088 square metres and includes a building, gardens, ponds, agricultural areas and the Casa Tápena maze, which is open to visitors. The cypress maze extends over 7,000 square metres and invites visitors to take a walk. The Mediterranean garden contains more than 60 native plant species. Casa Tápena can be reached by car via the CV-803; from Onil town centre, the maze can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes.

Routes for Hiking and Cycling

Several routes connect Onil with nearby towns and landscape sites. The PR-V 87 runs for 21 kilometres from Onil via El Rebolcador and Castalla and back to Onil. The PR-V 88 leads for 20.5 kilometres from Onil to El Reconco and back. The PR-V 90 runs for 8.5 kilometres from Fonteta Soriano via Onil to Banyeres de Mariola. The PR-V 141 leads for 17 kilometres from Casa Tápena in Onil to Xorret de Catí in Castalla. The PR-V 160 is part of the GR 7 and runs for 32.3 kilometres from Casa Tápena to Mas de Prats in Onil. The different route lengths help you organise excursions according to your preferred duration for the day. Trail Natura offers guided hikes on easy paths as well as cycling and mountain biking activities.

Olive Oil and Rural Experiences

The Museo del Aceite provides information about olive oil and the tools used to produce it. Guian-te's Experiencia rural includes making Licor herbero and explains how olive oil is produced. For personal guidance on site, the Tourist Info Onil is located at Avda. de la Paz 2 in the Casa de l'Hort building.

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