Vinalopó Medio
Medio Vinalopó (Vinalopó Mitjà in Valenciano) is one of the three inland regions of the Alicante province that is named after the Vinalopó River, which begins in Sierra de Mariola and runs across a total of 92 kilometres before reaching the sea in Santa Pola. Known for its rough terrain filled with arid valleys and prominent mountain ranges, this region historically served as a natural border between the Levante coast and Castilla, which explains the linguistic and cultural diversity that still remains intact across this land. Elda, Petrel, Novelda, Aspe, Monóvar and Pinoso are the municipalities with the most residents, in descending order.
The authentic feel of this region and the rich history behind it opens the door to a wide array of alternatives. On the one hand, Medio Vinalopó has extraordinarily educational landscapes from a geological perspective. Its countless natural landmarks, such as Cabeçó de la Sal, an important source of rock salt; Los Algezares, a nature reserve with many types of clay, marl and gypsum; and Rambla de les Salinetes, a group of medicinal clay pools, have established this region as a geopark for outdoor sports activities.
Additionally, the archaeological sites left behind by a long list of local inhabitants also serve as itinerary milestones. The cultural heritage dates back so many years that visitors can admire, within a relatively small expanse, samples from a wide array of eras. For example, the Coves dels Calderons caves in La Romana transport us to Alicante’s Palaeolithic period, and the El Monastil archaeological site in Elda takes us to the Iberian and Visigoth eras. Other must-see stops include Villa Romana de La Agualeja, in Monforte del Cid, and the splendid collection of Medieval castles―many of Moorish origin and some in better condition than others―that overlook Elda, Petrel, Novelda, Monóvar and Aspe. To delve further into the history of these monuments, be sure to visit the municipal museums in the bigger towns, such as the Archaeology Museum in Elda and the Dámaso Navarro Museum in Petrer.
Lastly, Medio Vinalopó’s tourism has also been connected to its strong production background that since the 19th century has included marble, wine and footwear. For example, the small town of Algueña is worth visiting, along with its monumental mountainside quarry. Tourists can also follow the Alicante Wine Route itinerary at any Vinalopó village, particularly Monóvar and Pinoso in light of their many wineries. Finally, Elda, which established itself as the ‘city of footwear’ in the 20th century, invites us to try on its shoes and visit the boutique shops.
The local cuisine and festivals represent the fourth pillar of Medio Vinalopó’s tourism. They go hand in hand in this article because, truth be told, there is no better pairing. A perfect plan is to attend the Moors and Christians Festival at one of the aforementioned municipalities and to try a delicious tapa of fasegures with a glass of fondillón.
Nearby plans
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