Discover Bolbaite: River, Festivals and Local History
Accommodation in Bolbaite
Bolbaite reveals its character through its waterside setting and townscape. The Sellent River is also known as the Río de Bolbaite and divides the town center into two halves connected by bridges. In Bolbaite, the river area and the bridge-connected center thus present two sides of the same town. When you choose a hotel or other accommodation in Bolbaite, you can focus on different aspects, from the waterside landscape and local history to festival culture.
File:Bolbaite y sus 2 puentes sobre el río Sellent.jpg
Photo: Bobeeeze via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
River Landscape and Paths
In the Paraje del Río Sellent, a walk leads through the river landscape and offers the opportunity to enjoy the clear waters. At the mouth of the Sellent River, a natural lake forms that has been developed as an inland bathing area. Bolbaite Agroforestal is an 8.48-kilometer circular route with an approximate duration of 55 minutes. If you would like to combine water and exercise, you can give these different aspects of the town varying weight according to your daily rhythm.
Recreation Areas and Orientation
Bolbaite's riverside recreation area is accessible from the CV-580 via the second roundabout at the entrance to the town; there is a car park at the access point. The recreation area can be reached on foot from Bolbaite's historic center, as vehicle access is restricted to residents. At the Ermita Santa Bárbara, in the upper part of Bolbaite, there is a recreation area with beautiful views. Next to the Ermita Santa Bárbara is a spacious recreation area with picnic tables and a restaurant. This allows you to weigh up different ways of structuring your day when choosing a hotel or accommodation, without forcing the river area, town center and viewpoints into a single item on your itinerary.
Church, Castle and Traditional Crafts
If, in addition to the water, you would like to explore Bolbaite's cultural themes, the parish church of San Francisco de Paula offers a religious point of interest: a relic of the saint is kept there. At Castillo de Bolbaite, information boards explain its history and architectural features. In Bolbaite, traditional crafts made from wicker and esparto grass are produced, as well as “caliqueños”, or small cigars. These examples bring together religious heritage, castle architecture and traditional craftsmanship as different facets of the town.
Festivals with Their Own Traditions
The festival in honor of the patron saint Santa Bárbara is celebrated in Bolbaite on December 4 with a “Despertà”. During it, a band and popular singers make their way through the streets in the early morning, loose fireworks are set off, and pilgrimages take place to the Ermita Santa Bárbara and back. The festivities of San Antón on the 15th, 16th and 17th include setting up the “luminaria”, the blessing of bread and animals in the Plaza de la Iglesia, and the subsequent roasting of meat over the embers. Peanuts and wine are also offered to everyone.
In spring, patron saint festivals in honor of San Francisco de Paula were held in Bolbaite during the second week of Easter. The Moros y Cristianos brought color and a festive atmosphere to the streets of Bolbaite. If you would like to organize your trip around local history, customs and regional life, these festival themes complement the impressions made by the river and the paths through the landscape.
Discover More Places
If you would like to combine Bolbaite with other places, also discover San Antonio, Benicolet, Los Ruices, L'olleria, Carcaixent, Titaguas, Real De Montroi and Navalón.
To the overarching travel overview: Valencia.
