Penella between the Castillo, festivals and hiking trails

Penella between the Castillo and the landscape

Penella reveals itself through specific places, festivals and trails. The Castillo de Penella is legally protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monumento category. It dates from the late 13th century and rises on a limestone crag. There are sheer walls on its northern side; at the same time, the Castillo offers views of Alcoy and Cocentaina. Its position on the limestone crag is just as much part of the Castillo’s appearance as the sheer walls on its northern side.

The Ermita de Sant Tomàs de Villanueva de Penella dates from the 15th century. Together with the Castillo, this gives a historical span from the late 13th to the 15th century. For visitors interested in cultural history, these two buildings provide two clearly dated points of reference. The Castillo is older than the Ermita de Sant Tomàs de Villanueva; both buildings represent different historical periods in Penella.

Festivals with their own tradition

Penella’s patron saint festivals are celebrated in honour of Sant Tomàs de Villanueva. At these festivals, “A ballar les danses” brings numerous participants and spectators together year after year. This is particularly interesting for your travel planning if, alongside architectural history, you would also like to take a recurring cultural event into account. The festival period can therefore be considered a separate seasonal focus alongside the historic buildings when planning your trip.

Penella’s patron saint festival includes a procession through the hamlet, a communal breakfast and games for children afterwards.

Hiking between Penella and Cocentaina

Stage Cocentaina 4 of the Route of the Mariola Hermitages connects Poble Nou, the Ermita St Tomàs and the Castell de Penella. The Route of the Mariola Hermitages connects the various hermitages of the municipalities of the Serra Mariola over more than 250 kilometres and can be completed in stages. Those tackling the route in stages can plan the Cocentaina 4 section as part of the longer connection without treating the more than 250 kilometres as a single route. The stage structure distributes the trail across individual sections and distinguishes this format from a circular hike.

A circular hike from Cocentaina passes the Ermita de Sant Tomàs de Vilanova de Penella and the Castell de Penella. The circular hike “Circular al Castell de Penella desde Cocentaina” is 13.98 kilometres long and classified as moderate. After a short paved section, the circular hike reaches the hamlet of Penella. When planning personally, you can use the 13.98 kilometres and the moderate classification as a guide. The 13.98 kilometres should be taken into account when allocating time for the tour. The moderate classification should also be included when preparing the day’s schedule. The short paved section can be taken into account when planning the start of the route. The circular hike remains a single loop, while the other route can be completed in stages.

More destinations for your orientation

Ondara, Callosa De Segura, Benimantell, Benidoleig, Pego, Bolulla, Javea and Sax

For the overarching travel overview: Alicante.