Guadasequies: Churches, Festivals and Trails Overlooking the Bellús Reservoir

Guadasequies can be discovered through its religious buildings, lively festivals and rural trails. The townscape also includes a viewpoint over the valley and a recreation area overlooking the Bellús Reservoir. During a stay, local history, regional cuisine and landscape thus come together.

Churches, Paintings and Local History

The parish church of Our Lady of Hope is a neoclassical building from the early 18th century and is classified as a Bien de Relevancia Local (BRL), a Local Heritage Asset. The church contains a replica of the Gothic panel painting “San Miguel de Guadasséquies” by Roderic d’Osona. The new Church of Our Lady of Hope dates from 1996 to 2000. Inside, coloured glass windows adorn the building; it also houses the statue of the Virgin “Esperança nova” by the sculptor Damià Pastor.

The former church houses a local museum and a collection of liturgical objects. Next to the former church is a recreation area overlooking the Bellús Reservoir. Some of the oldest houses in the centre of Guadasséquies have been preserved, so a visit also focuses on the town’s organically developed built heritage.

Higher-Lying Buildings and Views

In the higher part of Guadasséquies, the Hermitage of Christ of Amparo was built in the early 20th century. It contains a Baroque painting of Christ of Amparo from the mid-18th century. The Calvary, a cypress garden dating from 1906, is also located in this higher part of town. A viewpoint there offers views over the valley.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The main patron saint festivals of Guadasséquies take place in the second week of August in honour of Sant Roc, Our Lady of Hope and Christ of Amparo. The festival of Our Lady of Hope is celebrated on 18 December. The Moors and Christians festival takes place on the first weekend of August; on Saturday, the Entrada de Moros i Cristians is on the programme.

The festival in honour of Sant Antoni Abat takes place on the weekend closest to 17 January. It includes a large bonfire, a communal dinner, a procession, the blessing of the animals and children’s games. During the festival of Our Lady of Hope, a large bonfire is lit beside the old church. This is followed by a communal Torrà dinner around the fire.

Local Cuisine and Trails Through the Surrounding Countryside

Puchero and oven-baked Cazuela with rice, beans and turnips are among the most representative dishes of Guadasséquies’s local cuisine. These dishes complement the cultural visit to the town with a distinctive culinary connection.

Part of Guadasséquies was flooded by what is now the Bellús Reservoir. Rural trails run through the town between springs, old farmhouses and orchards. These unpaved paths are suitable for hiking and cycling. The GR 160 E12 reaches Guadasséquies from Bellús and leaves the town via an unpaved path parallel to the road towards Sempere.

The Route of the Four River Villages connects Guadasséquies with Alfarrasí, Sempere and Benissuera and is considered easy to moderate. Guadasséquies is also connected to the 270.74-kilometre Xàtiva–Biar stage of the La Defensa del Sur route. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation, you can therefore focus in particular on whether local history, festival dates or rural trails are most important to you.

Further places to help you orient yourself in the region: Gandía, Albalat Dels Taronchers, Teresa De Cofrentes, Serra, Catarroja, Yátova, Santa María de Bonaire and Bolbaite.

For the broader travel overview: Valencia.