Alcalali is a village situated in the Valley of Pop. The traditional
activities of this area included almond and orange orchards and a history
of arab occupation with the demise of the village with the expulsion of
the Moorish invaders in 1609.
The principal activities for the inhabitants of the area now are the production
of grapes and oranges grown in the fertile lands.
On the
approach Alcalalí you will find yourself in the heart of a beautiful
little valley scattered with the small secluded quiet villages of Liber,
Jalón, Parcent and Sagra, where there are abundant wine orchards
and almond trees that create beautiful scenery which is especially attractive
in February when the trees bloom.
Alcalalí is a village with scrubbed clean streets and should be
visited onfoot, at a calm pace, to see the details of some of the doors
or the handem broidery at the windows of the houses.
In the
centre of Alcalalí, where the Town Hall is, there is restored medieval
tower and the Parish Church(17th century) as well as a huge ceramic tile
plaque which tells us of its origins and the history of the village which
was once baronía (Baron's estate). A reminder of that time is the
Medieval Tower (15th century) where the Museum of the Raisin is found.
A visit
to this museum will give you the chance to get acquainted with the process
of the wine productivity in the region of Marina Alta by means of explanatory
panels and the original tools which were used then. From the top storey
of the tower with its glass ceiling you may obtain a magnificient panoramic
view of all the Valley of Pop andits villages, as well as the gigantic
mountainous wall which the Coll de Rates forms, crosses by the road which
takes you to Benidorm.
From the Coll's lookout spot you can have an excellent panoramic view
of the whole region. This particular mountains enable hikers to make beautiful
excursions to Penyal l'Altar or to Sierra del Caval Verd.
One can also visit the villages of Parcent, just a few kilometres away,
or Jalón, where you will be able to buy good wines of the region
or to visit the antique market next to the river that takes place every
Saturday. In Benidoleig you will also be able to visit the prehistoric
caves of Calaveras.
Lovers
of traditions should visit Alcalalí in the local festivities of
St.John and of the Christ of Health in the last week of June. During 24th
and 25th June respectively, the images of these saints march in procession
along the streets of the village. On this last day blessing of the bread
(pa beneits) takes place and then it is given to the people.
The abundance of restaurants in this village offer visitors a wide range
of the local cuisine such as cous-cous, duck or lamb, and the traditional
dessert pastry featuring sequillos, which are crispy almond and egg cakes.
LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
www.comunitat-valenciana.com
www.costablanca.org