After the winding and narrow port of Confrides, we reach the valley that forms the Sierra Aitana, Sierra Serrella and Sierra dels Plans through which the Seta and Frainos rivers flow. The first town we meet is Benasau, name of Arab origin. Agricultural town that belonged to the Señorío de los Barones de Finestrat whose palace is still preserved near the church. The town is small and stretches along the road that, from Alcoy, leads to Callosa d'En Sarriá. In the old era of the village, the sports facilities have been erected. Near Benasau, a good reason for excursion we have in a small unpopulated Moorish called Ares del Bosque that has nothing to do with the God of war. Its depopulation comes from the expulsion that the Moriscos suffered in 1609. Population of Muslim origin. It was occupied in the middle of the 13th century by King Jaime I of Aragón. Place of moriscos that with the uprising of Al-Azraq and the subsequent expulsion, almost depopulated. The year 1609 had about 145 inhabitants. From 1535 he became part of the rectory of Alcolecha, from which he later separated.
Beneixama, is the town that gives its name to the valley in which it is incardinated, between the Sierra de la Solana and the Fontanella, adjacent to the towns of Biar, Bañeres, Campo de Mirra and Fontanars dels Aforins, and halfway between the province of Alicante and Valencia. Beneixama is a town of which we have been able to find testimonies of the Islamic period (as its name indicates), although it will be with the conquest of Jaime I when it will be incorporated into the new kingdom of Valencia and Western civilization
Benejúzar is located on the right bank of the Segura River, in the middle of Vega Baja, it is dedicated to the cultivation of citrus fruits, especially lemons but the production of garlic is also important here. The reconstruction of this municipality after the earthquake of 1829 marks its modern history. It is a quiet city with more than five thousand inhabitants, where we can enjoy hiking in its mountain and in the groves of the Segura River, resulting from its channeling, which nowadays are recreational areas. It is very important the pilgrimage of Virgen del Pilar that takes place on October which is considered a festivity celebrated for the whole region.
Beniarbeig, like the other towns that begin with 'beni', is of Arab origin: at this time it was called Beniherbey. In 1013 it depended on Denia, which was declared independent Kingdom of Taifa in this year, and in 1535 it became a rectory of Moriscos. In 1643, with only about 35 neighbors, it passed to the jurisdiction of Denia. In the mid-nineteenth century there were 520 inhabitants and the town had a consistorial house, two small squares, a tavern, a grocery store, a school of first letters and a church. People worked in the fields, growing wheat, barley, corn, carob, raisins, figs, almonds and other fruits and producing wine and oil. In the early twentieth century suffered a demographic crisis with an emigration to France and Algeria, but in the 50s precedents came from La Mancha and Andalusia, among others, to work in the fields. In recent years the town has grown a lot and now has about 1,900 inhabitants. Beniarbeig is a rich and prosperous agricultural town dedicated, preferably, to the production of citrus fruits, although it also has an industrial estate. Its privileged geographical position and the richness of its economy make it the most important town in the area. The town revolves around the river Girona that crosses it, shortly before ending at the coast of Dénia and Els Poblets. The other geographical feature that characterizes Benidoleig are the mountains of Segaria located in the northern part of its municipal area, which give it magnificent views over Dénia and the sea, and on top of which there are archaeological remains. They are worth visiting the architectural complex formed by the Parochial Church, the College and the old Town Hall.
Catral is a municipality settled in the Vega Baja del Segura, a region located at the southern end of the province of Alicante Its term comprises 19.24Km2. It is located 12m. above sea level. The area of the orchard covers 14,554.5 tahúllas (*) and is irrigated by the Acequia Mayor and other minor aqueducts called arrobas. La Madriguera, Hornos, Albellón and San Juan, are their names. It currently has a population of approximately 9,200 inhabitants. According to a report of 1860 communicated, by: "Neighborhood roads open on the level it occupies and footpaths that lead to Dolores, Almoradí, Callosa, Albatera and San Felipe Neri" (**) The first document that appears the word Catral, is placed of 1255 and in him it was granted to the Order of Santiago "Catral, village of Orihuela". The Castilian King Alfonso X reinstated him to the Crown in 1264. From 1296 Catral, like the southern half of the province, would pass into the hands of the Crown of Aragon, within the Procurator General of Orihuela. In the middle of the 13th century, the Muslim domination of Catral ended. King Philip V granted him the rank of "Villa". Catral enjoys a privileged situation within the province of Alicante and in the region of Vega Baja del Segura. It is located approximately the same distance from the capital of Alicante and Murcia (45 km). We are 20 km from the coast of Guardamar de Segura and 25 km from Torrevieja. The capital of the region, Orihuela, is 16 km away and the industrial centers of Elche and Crevillente are 20 and 10 respectively. The communications are unbeatable, because through the highway (A-37) and the highway (A-7) you can travel to Murcia or Alicante in 25 minutes, and Torrevieja in 15 minutes. Also by road to Callosa de Segura and Orihuela, or Dolores-Almoradi and the rest of the region. We have 3 km railway station (Albatera-Catral). The Altet airport is 35 km away (20 minutes by highway). Our climate is very pleasant surpassing 10º of temperature in January and 26º in July. (*) 1 tahulla in Catral is equivalent to 1,185m2. (**) Church Stos Juanes and Historical Notes of Catral de M.Sierra
Ciudad Quesada is an urbanization of the municipality of Rojales. In Ciudad Quesada there are many leisure options and nearby places to visit. The nearest beaches are the beaches of Torrevieja, La Mata and Guardamar del Segura.
Renaissance defensive tower built in the sixteenth century under the reign of Philip II, who was part of the coastal surveillance system against piracy.
The views from this location are spectacular. You see everything Calpe and the whole region. It is an ideal area for hiking and outdoor sports with fresh air and good final reward. Totally recommended.
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