ONTINYENT / VALL D'ALBAIDA
Ontinyent
An urban nucleus that is reminiscent of other times. A warm welcome and the exceptional natural
environment are some of the guarantees that visitors to Ontinyent, receive.
El barrio de la vila is the oldest medieval part of Ontinyent where remains of walls, towers and
fortifications can be seen, showing the defensive character of the area. The area closest to the river
Clariano has the remains of a containment wall as well as chimneys from former mills and factories
that used the river as its source of power.
The charm of la vila is in the small alleys and period buildings that contribute an intimate and
special beauty to the area.
The church of Santa Maria is built on top of a former Islamic Mosque that suffered the effects of an
earthquake in 1258. A great deal of the building dates from the first half of the XVI century with a
bell tower that is considered the tallest in the Valencian Community, standing at 71m. Visits to the
top of the tower can be arranged on Sundays after morning mass. The view commands fantastic views over
the municipality and surrounding area.
Like many towns and cities throughout Spain, Ontinyent and its people take great pride in its
celebration of Moors and Christians. Towards the end of August the festivities take place, lasting a
just over a week. The "morenet" as it is popularly known, is brought from the chapel of Santa Ana to
the church of San Carlos, in the most significant and authentic ceremonies, La Baixa or the lowering.
Many parades are held throughout the week with the whole town in party spirit, a definate tourist
attraction. One of the final events of the celebrations is the ceremony of the Ambassadors which
signifies the dramatisation of the history of the town with a mock battle at the foot of the castle, a
symbol of Ontinyent.
The gastronomy of Ontinyent offers principle products of the Mediterranean diet. The most
distinguished dishes from the municipality are intimately linked to religious celebrations.
The local sausages are famous, specially the morcillas de cebolla (onion black pudding) which
are made in a traditional manner. Many traditional products date back to Arabic times.
Located in the Valencian community,"La vall dŽAlbaida" is a natural and historical region. It borders the province
of Valencia and the province of Alicante.
Of the thirty-four towns that make up this region, Ontinyent is the regionŽs capital with a total area population
of over 85,000.
A wide network of regional roads, links all parts of the Vall dŽAlbaida taking in towns such as Benissoda,
Agullent and Ontinyent inland and leading to Gandia on the coast in the nearby region of La Safor.
An important textile tradition makes this one of the most industrialised regions with farming and ranching
being also of importance.
There is a wide choice of gastronomy, cultural heritage, natural resources and artistic elements, together
with sports and adventure activities to make this, the perfect choice for tourists visiting and locals to enjoy the area.
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