Calpe and Surrounding Area Information
Xaló - Jalón
History
Remains of prehistoric objects have been found in the Cova de lea Morovelles and paintings in Cova del Mancano We still find remains of Iberian settlements in Aixa and Marge Liare. The arab domination went on for centuries. There were two different castles: Aixa and Bèrnia. The first one still preserves some walls whereas the second one has disappeared. In 1609, the Moorish were expulsed from this land. Their expulsion forced this town to repopulate it with people from Balearic Islands. They became vassals by cultivating the fields under the regimen of Enfiteusis control. In 1611, La Carta Puebla of Xaló and Lliber was written, which provided hard conditions for the vassals. In 1693, this situation started the uprising known as Second Germania, particularly intensive in Xaló.
Monuments and interesting buildings
- Parish church of the Nativity of Our Lady, built at the beginning of XIXth Century at the expenses of the duchess or Almodóvar. It kept inside the church the image of the patron saint of Xaló, La Mare de Deu Pobra.
- Noble houses in the urban area.
- Bassa de Sopena or dels Arcs.
- Chapel of Santo Domingo, built between 1691 to 1697. In later years, the chapel achieved its greatest splendour and after that it felt intó decline. In 1978, it was rebuilt thanks to the joint effort of the citizens and to Georgette Bosch Pont.
- Ethnological Museum. Phone: 966480101
- Wine Museum in Masserot. Phone: 966430730/687722451. In late September, takes place the annual grape harvest.
Places
- The Xaló river bed.
- Party of La Azud and Wine Cooperative.
- Cova de lea Maravelles. (Wonders Cave)
- Remains of the castle of Aixa in the Mountain of the Castell de is Solana. Marsh.
- Mountain of Bèrnia with the Foot de Cobonyos and remains of the Fort.
- Hamlet of Masserof, Rodat and cave.
- Mountain of Ferrer, calcareous cresting with a hard ascent to get it.
- Ravine of the Curt and Pas dels Bandolera (Pass of the bandits).
- Penyal de la Mica.
- Serra (mountain) Devesa.
Feast days and events
- Medieval market (spring)
- In April, pilgrimage in memory of San Pedro Mártir.
- In July, Moors and Christians in honour to San Jaime.
- Patron Saint's s days in honour to Santo Domingo de Guzmán, from 2nd to 12th of August. Open-air dances and bullfighting festival.
- In October, patron sainfs day in honour to the Virgin Pobre (Poor). Open-air dances, religious events and street decoration.
Local cuisine
- Arròs amh fesols i nap.
- Cous-cous.
- Espencat.
- Roast cold meat.
- Guisao de caragols (stew snails).
- Pea pasty.
Typical products
- Wines and Mistelas (sweet wine). Meat and cold meat.
- Breadmaking and baking.
- Honey.
Handicrafts
- Wicker furniture.
Open-Air activities
- Mercadillo (martes).
- Visita Rastro-Mercadillo de antigüedades (sábado).
- Senderismo.
- Cicloturismo.
- Escalada.
- Paseos en burro por la Sierra del Ferrer y Sierra de Bèrnia.
- Rallyes.
Population: 2,800 inhabitants.
Area: 34.8 square km.
Old town altitude: 189 m.
Highest point: Bérnia (1,128 m.)
Main activities: services and construction.
Distance to the Alicante: 76 km.