El Comtat is a small, mountainous region located inland
behind Marina Baja and Marina Alta. It is dotted with tiny, agricultural mountain
villages, some of them difficult to get to and makes a wonderful place to
explore the real, undiscovered Spain.
Cocentaina
The capital of the Comtat region, Cocentaina has a population of 11,000. The
town has a history linked to both the Moors and the Christians. The area was
originally scattered with Moorish farmsteads and after the Reconquest, a Christian
quarter was established in the town complete with a wall that was supposed
to protect it from the large Moorish population. A medieval fortified palace
can be found in the old Christian quarter. The maze of lanes and alleyways
of the old Moorish quarter are interesting to explore. Concentaina’s
centre is considered one of the best preserved medieval centres in the Alicante
region.
Cocentaina’s street market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The nearest city to Cocentaina is Alcoy, with its hospital, schools and shopping
facilities. Alcoy is 10km from Cocentaina.
It is an hours drive to the coast.
Cocentaina is 65km from Alicante. The town is located next to the main N340
motorway/main road.
The most easily accessible golf courses are Bonalba Golf Club and Alicante
Golf Club, both just outside Alicante.
Muro de Alcoy
On the southern slopes of the Sierra Mariola, the town of Muro is situated
between 2 rivers. Traditionally, the town has been associated with textile
production. The architecture in the town centre is of Moorish origin, the
most prominent building being the blue domed church.
A street market is held in Muro on Fridays.
Muro is 5km north of Cocentaina and 12km north of Alcoy on the N340 motorway.
A road runs between Muro and Pego, through El Comtat and Marina Alta and on
to the coastal town of Denia.
Agres
At the foot of the Sierra de Mariola, Agres is a typical mountain village
with small white houses, steep streets and an old village centre. There are
several clear cold-water fountains in the village gushing out fresh mountain
spring water. Old snow wells previously used to store snow collected in the
winter months can be found near to the village. There is a ruined castle in
the upper part of the village and nearby, a Franciscan convent where a picture
of the Virgin Mary is supposed to have miraculously reappeared after being
lost in a fire in Alicante.
To the west of Agres, right on the edge of El Comtat, Alfafara is a small
agricultural village. An isolated pace with winding streets and 2 lovely village
squares, Alfafara is close to the Sierra Mariola.
Agres is 7km west of Cocentaina
Central El Comtat
The road from Cocentaina to Pego in the Marina Alta passes through the interior
of the El Comtat, threading its way through the mountains and villages of
the area. The area is an important cherry growing region and the 'Denominación
de Origen' label that guarantees a certain quality of fruit is awarded to
many cherry growing villages in El Comtat.
Northeast of Cocentaina, the village of Benimarful with a population of 400
has steep, narrow streets and a 16th Century white and rose coloured church.
The village is surrounded by cherry and almond groves.
Benimarful is 10 minutes from Cocentaina.
Beniarres On the northern edge of El Comtat, near the border with
Valencia, is the village of Beniarres. It is of Moorish origin and
has 1500 inhabitants.
Beniarres is 20 minutes from Cocentaina.
Benillup is a tiny agricultural village with a population of 150,
located in the heart of the cherry growing region. The old village centre
is attractive, containing lovely examples of traditional architecture. The
name Benillup means “son of wolf” – Beni meaning “son
of” in Arabic.
Benillup is 10 minutes east of Cocentaina.
Almudaina, a village close to the Sierra de Almudaina is a typical
mountain village with Moorish origins. An Islamic tower stands in the centre
of the town.
Almudaina has a population of 125
The village is in the centre of the region, 20 minutes drive from Cocentaina
away from main roads.
North of Almundaina, Planes is known as the cherry capital of the
region. It is distinguished by its castle and the Church of Assumption with
its elegant tower. An interesting medieval village, the steep, narrow, streets
of Planes form a maze through the white houses.
Planes has 900 inhabitants
Planes is a 25 minute drive from Cocentaina, away from main roads.
Balones
On the southern slopes of the Sierra de Almudaina, the village of Balones
has a castle with a mosque. It is a quiet, undiscovered village, difficult
to reach from the road with just 180 inhabitants.
Located in the mountains, Balones is fairly isolated and difficult to reach.
Millena is another tiny village with a population of 160. It boasts 2 Moorish
castles, one in the village and another on top of a ridge nearby. The village
is known for its summer fiesta.
Benilloba
South east of Concentaina, Benilloba is a medium sized village with a population
of 1000. The village’s involvement in the textile industry means that
its population has not been as affected by the patterns of migration that
have affected its neighbouring village and as such it is an important centre.
Benilloba is situated on the CV78 and is 9km from the urban centre of Alcoy.
The coast is half an hours drive down the CV78.
Benasau
A small farming village in a valley close to the Sierra Aitana, Benasau was
originally an Islamic village. Close to Benasau is the deserted Moorish village
of Ares del Bosque.
Benasau is 3km from Benilloba and 12km from the city of Alcoy
The village is situated on the CV78
Gorga
A small agricultural village, Gorga is a gateway between the towns and villages
either side of the Seta river valley. Its attractive village church contains
a panel painted by the famous Valencian artist Juan de Juanes. With a population
of 270, Gorga is a quiet, tranquil place.
Gorga is 3km from Benilloba, off the main CV78 road.
Quatretondeta
East of Gorga, surrounded by the peaks of the Serrella, this agricultural
village is a sleepy, tranquil place set in beautiful, rural surroundings.
The village is 5km from Benilloba, off the main CV78 road.
Alcoleja
South of Benasau, on the border of El Comtat, Alcoleja is located in proximity
to the Sierra Aitana, the highest mountain of Alicante province. It is a remote,
typical mountain village, ideally located if you are looking for a place to
get away from it all.
Benasau is fairly isolated, situated off the main roads.
East El Comtat
Benimassot
High in the hills, Benimassot is an undiscovered village with fantastic views
over the whole valley. A quiet, peaceful place, it has steep, narrow streets
and a white balcony skirting the village from which the valley views can be
enjoyed.
Tollos
A tiny hamlet with a population of just 42, the village used to be used as
a refuge for the Moors during the Reconquest. It is situated on the slopes
of the Sierra de Alfaro.
Facheca
In the Sierra de Alfaro, Facheca is nestled in the mountains between the limestone
formations that rise from the Seta valley. A tiny place with 150 inhabitants
and an unusual church, Facheca has a 100 year old elm tree in the village
square.
Farmorca
Surrounded by almond and olive groves, Farmorca clings to the side of the
Sierra Serrella. It is a hamlet with a population of 73 where, in the past,
caravans carrying snow from the mountains set out towards the coast.
The villages in the east of the region are about halfway between the service
centres of Callossa and Alcoy, it being less than 40 minutes drive to each.
[Back]
Property sales spain home page
© 2005 property sales spain. All rights reserved
