Beniarbeig

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.