Bétera between Festive Culture, History and the Sierra Calderona

Bétera between Festive Culture and the Sierra Calderona

Bétera extends to the foothills of the Sierra Calderona Natural Park. Numerous country paths begin in the town centre, and Bétera is also a starting point for many interesting excursions into the Sierra Calderona. If you would like to combine culture and rural trails during your trip, two different focal points meet here: historic buildings and archaeological sites in the town, as well as nature excursions in the Sierra Calderona.

History in Buildings and Archaeological Sites

Bétera Castle is a protected BIC monument of Muslim origin. Its battlement-crowned towers and Valencian Gothic semicircular arcades give the building a clearly recognisable historic character.

The restored Bofilla tower was built around the 11th century, during the heyday of the Taifa of Valencia, as part of the Islamic defence tower system around Valencia. The Bofilla archaeological site preserves parts of the medieval settlement structure, including houses and public baths.

The Iberian archaeological site of Oppidum El Tos Pelat covers approximately 3 hectares shared by Bétera and Moncada, and reveals parts of the urban structure of the ancient settlement. The oppidum was protected by a walled defence system with gates reinforced by small towers and towers built into the line of the wall.

The Puig-Carasols (Inmediata) defensive line crosses Bétera between the partida de La Pelosa and Mas de Camarena. It includes trenches, bunkers and underground galleries.

The protected BIC complex comprising Calvario, the Ermita and the Pantheon of the Marqués de Dos Aguas includes a zigzag layout created in the 19th century. Masía La Barraca is a protected building of local significance, known as a BRL, and a representative example of this type of building. Most of Bétera’s traditional ceramic murals date from the late 17th century to the first half of the 19th century.

Les Coves de Mallorca is a protected contemporary cave-dwelling complex. The caves carved into the rock now serve cultural purposes and provide a distinctive counterpoint to the medieval and Iberian sites.

The Festes de les Alfàbegues

At the Hort de Les Alfàbegues, the basil plants that take centre stage during the Festa de Les Alfàbegues a la Mare de Déu d’Agost on 15 August are cultivated. The Festes de les Alfàbegues take over Bétera’s streets for a ten-day period each year.

The central Rodà celebration of the Festes de les Alfàbegues takes place on 15 August, when basil plants are carried through Bétera. The August festivities also include the Coetà, during which rockets are freely set off in the streets of Bétera from 2:00 a.m.

When choosing your hotel in Bétera, you can tailor the focus of your stay around these themes: the town centre combines the starting point for numerous country paths with the festivities and historic buildings. For excursions into the Sierra Calderona, Bétera’s position as a starting point provides another clear point of orientation for planning your trip.

More Destinations in the Region

Montroy, Campo De Arriba, Mareny de Barraquetes, Alzira, Canet D'en Berenguer, Sot De Chera, Gilet and La Pobla de Vallbona

To the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.