Genovés: Pilota valenciana, Trails and History
Accommodation in Genovés
Genovés combines the culture of pilota valenciana with a multifaceted local history and trails through river landscapes, woodland and the Cova Negra natural area. This creates a destination that can be explored through both specific cultural sites and various hiking routes.
File:Monumento Parque Genovés de Cádiz - IMG 20181106 094258 832.jpg
Photo: El Pantera via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pilota valenciana and local culture
The Museo de la Pilota opened in Genovés in 2003. It displays balls, protective equipment, photographs, playing clothes and models of playing courts. Genovés is regarded as the birthplace of pilota valenciana. The Trinquet de pelota gorda attached to the museum allows this form of the sport to be played; several forms of pilota valenciana are also played at the Trinquet in Genovés.
The bronze sculpture „El Saque“ by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench, depicting a pilota valenciana player, is also part of the cultural landmarks. In the town centre, the Ermita del Cristo del Calvari is one of Genovés's historic areas that have been restored.
History and processions
Genovés was an Arab alquería belonging to Muslim Xàtiva and became independent of Xàtiva in 1762. The Font de Sant Pasqual is a fountain built in the Baroque style in 1777. Les Arcadetes del río Albaida, also known as Les Arcadetes de Alboi, are a Gothic aqueduct. They formerly supplied Xàtiva with water.
The Bajada del Santísimo Cristo del Monte Calvario takes place annually in Genovés. Residents, people living outside the town who are connected to it, and visitors from the comarca take part. The procession runs from the Ermita del Monte Calvario to the parish church of Virgen de los Dolores and passes through Calvario, Sant Didac and Rosario streets. In August 2026, it was recognised as a Bien Inmaterial de Relevancia Local and included in the Inventario General del Patrimonio Cultural Valenciano.
Hiking trails between Albaida and Cova Negra
The Senda Andaluza begins at the Fuente de San Juan in Alboi, connects with the Senda Ancha and is part of the group of four officially approved hiking trails in Genovés. The Ruta de la Salud passes through Genovés and connects the town with Alboi and the Cova Negra natural area.
The Senda Camí d’Alboi is a riverside trail connecting Genovés with Alboi and providing access from there to the Cova Negra natural area. Another trail begins on the banks of the Albaida River at the Xopà d’Alboi and the Casa de la Luz, reaches Peña Blanca and connects with the Senda Andaluza.
A hiking trail starts in the centre of Genovés, leads with little change in elevation to a prominent summit in the municipality and runs through a small pine forest on the northern side of the Serra Grossa. The Ruta del Agua de la Costera reaches Genovés via the CV-610; the route's first trail marker is located at the entrance to the town.
In addition, Genovés is included in an excursion route connecting Xàtiva, Novetlè, Genovés and Barxeta. When planning your trip, you can weigh up pilota valenciana, local history, processions and different landscape trails in Genovés.
Further destinations for orientation: Algemesí, Daimús, Sagunto, La Font D'en Carròs, Chera, Camp de Túria, València, La Pobla De Farnals
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