Castellano
Valencià
EnglishValley of Travadell
It consists of the towns of Almudaina, Benillup, Gorga and Benilloba. The history shows that this region was inhabited by Muslims. The toponymy of some of its names confirms this legacy, thus Almudaina comes from Al-mudayna, that means “small town”. Landscape is full of ravines and springs which represent the beauty of the Mountain of Alicante.
In Almudaina, tradition blends with the knowledge of modern architecture, but never forgetting the roots. We can still find Muslim remains at the tower placed beside the church of San Bartolome, dedicated to the apostle, a little chapel dedicated to the “Santísimo Cristo” and an abbey house. In the heart of the Valley of Travadell is located Benillup, where it is important to visit the church dedicated to the “Mare de Déu del Roser” dated back to the 16th century. It also has an Ethnographic Museum about oil and wine production, which is placed at the old oil mill and currently used as a Culture House. Probably, Gorga is the place where the most important artistic richness can be found. The church of this village is the biggest one of this area; it is dedicated to “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción”, and built during the 18th century. Inside there are a Romanesque sculpture of the local patron, the “Virgen de la Gracia”, made in the 16th century and an altarpiece representing San Gregorio. Talking about Benilloba, it is one of the most prosperous towns of this region, due to the abundance of factories. The most important construction, dated from the 17th century, is the parish church dedicated to the “Nacimiento de la Virgen”. Right beside, it is also worth mentioning the palace of “Conde de Revillagigedo”, built during the 18th century. Among the oldest constructions, the flour mills and the aqueducts are important, built during the Arab domination.
Landscapes
The beauty of the Valley of Travadell is intensified thanks to the mountain of Almudaina. From its topmost point, the “Alt de la Caseta de la Neu”, the valleys which separate Planes from Seta can be observed. Benillup is known by its ravines, typical shapes of the landscape of the Mountain of Alicante. It is worth mentioning the “Barranc de Caraita”, near the town, the “Barranc Font Vella”, and also the “Barranc del Sofre”, whose springs are located in Benillup. The “Font del Molí”, the”Font de Salines” and “Lloma Redonda” are key places in the landscape of Benillup. In the valley of Travadell there is one of the oldest olive, approximately 2000 years old, which is placed at the place of “Racó de Felip o Sobirá” in Gorga. The river Frainós, in its path to Benilloba, forms the “Barranc del Cuixot”, where landscape and Arab remains mix together becoming a suitable space for hiking practice. At the same area, we also recommend, the Salt`s Place, which is important because the construction of a recreational area which permits to have a good time in the middle of the nature.