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| El Vinalopo Mitja |
| Bordering Murcia, this inland
region of Alicante has always been an important
corridor of communication between the Mediterranean
and inland Spain. A far cry from the packed out
beaches of the Costa Blanca, the Vinalopó
Mitja is an area where you will find a chance
to discover a taste of authentic Spanish living.
Its countryside is lush with almond groves and
vineyards and its peaceful villages continue to
attract foreign residents seeking the tranquility
of rural life. |
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Elda
Elda and the adjacent town of Petrer
are separated by just one street, together they
form the largest urban area of El Vinalopó
Mitja with a combined population of 81,000. Like
the neighbouring city of Elche,
the manufacture of shoes is Elda’s industrial
focus and the town’s shoe museum displays
an interesting array of footwear from around the
globe. The town is of Moorish origin and contains
the Church of Santa Ana which was originally built
as a mosque. The semi-ruined Elda castle is on
a hill to the north of the city. Although Petrer
is just 4km away from the centre of Elda, its
inhabitants speak Valenciano whereas the people
of Elda speak Spanish. Petrer,
also a Moorish town, is the site of one of the
most impressive castles in the region, thanks
to extensive restoration work.
Elda has plenty of schools, including a university,
a new hospital, a 10 screen cinema complex and
a Carrefour hypermarket and shopping centre complete
with drive-through McDonalds.
The town has an ample range of shops and a huge
indoor market selling fresh produce that is open
6 days a week.
An open air market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays,
selling clothes, shoes and other goods.
Elda has a national RENFE railway station with
fast connections to Alicante, Murcia and the rest
of Spain.
Elda is easily accessible from Alicante which
is 36km away via the N330 motorway.
It is about 30 minutes drive to the coast.
Alenda Golf Club is 18km away. |
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Monòvar
8km south of Elda in the Vinalopó valley,
is the town of Monòvar. Monòvar
is a semi-industrial town that, like Elda, is
also fond of producing footwear. The Fondillon
wine that is produced in the area is renowned.
Famous for its 18th Century church with a leaning
tower, the old town is attractive with steep narrow
streets flanked by stone houses leading up to
a clock tower. The hermitage of Santa Barbara
on the hill above the town is of architectural
importance
With a population 12,000, Monòvar is a
lively town with bars, restaurants shops and supermarkets,
a health centre, a sports centre and schools.
Situated next to the N330 motorway, Monòvar
is easy to reach. It is 34km from Alicante and
26km from Alicante airport
The nearest golf club is Alenda, 15km away. |
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Novelda
An industrial town with a population of 24,000,
Novelda is an important producer of wine and marble.
The modernist church of Santuario de Santa Maria
is a remarkable building, reminiscent of Gaudi’s
work. The church was constructed mainly from local
marble and small boulders giving it an unusual,
bubbly outline. This, and the tall towers at either
side of the façade lend a fairytale atmosphere
to the church. Next to the church, the 12th Century
La Mola castle ruins are located on an outcrop.
There are 4 large supermarkets in the town, 7
restaurants and also bars and cafes. A market
is held on Wednesdays.
Novelda is 2km from the N330 motorway, making
access to Alicante 28km away swift and easy.
Alenda Golf Club is just 5km away. |
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Aspe
The town of Aspe is located on a tributary of
the Vinalopo river 5km south of Novelda on the
main road. The old town centre is pleasant to
walk through, it has been renovated and the area
is pedestrianised. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento
is interesting with its church and modernist casino.
A town of 16,000 people, Aspe has several large
supermarkets, schools, restaurants and bars.
Alicante is 24km away , Aspe is 5km off the N330
motorway.
The Alenda Golf club is a ten minute drive from
Aspe. |
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Pinoso
In the far corner of the Vinalopó Mitja,
by the border with Murcia, Pinoso is a small and
quiet town, surrounded by the pine groves of the
Sierra del Coto. The vineyards around Pinoso produce
high quality grapes and the town is an important
producer of wine, the Bodega Co-operatice Wine
Cellar is able to store 14,000,000 litres of the
stuff. A lively fiesta is held at the beginning
of August with parades, fireworks and novice bullfighters
fighting young bulls. The red and white marble
mines in the mountains around the town make an
interesting excursion. Pinoso has attracted a
number of foreign nationals seeking a quieter
alternative to the lifestyle on the coast.
6km south of Pinoso is the village of Alguena,
a peaceful farming village with a population of
1000. A market is held there on Sunday when the
local shops stay open until midday.
For a town of 6000 inhabitants, Pinoso has a solid
infrastructure. Modern amenities include a medical
centre, schools, a theatre, a selection of Spanish
restaurants, bars and supermarkets.
An indoor market for fresh produce is held every
day and on Saturdays, the street market attracts
shoppers to Pinoso.
There is an excellent sports centre with outdoor
and indoor swimming pool plus tennis courts, football
pitches and gymnasium.
Pinoso is 56km from Alicante and 30km from the
nearest large service centre of Elda.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, 35km away. |
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La Romana
Located in the foothills of the Sierra del Redclot
a few kilometres from Alguena, La Romana has been
called the village of “pine trees, marble
and excellent wine.” The village, with a
population of 2000, is surrounded by lovely countryside
where vineyards and almond orchards are grown.
In September, a “Paella in the Park”
is held when a giant paella pot is set up outside
and the locals take part in a fiesta. La Romana
is popular with expatriates looking for a quiet,
rural home.
La Romana has a local doctor, 2 small supermarkets,
3 bakers and 3 butchers, 6 bars and a large furniture
store.
A street market is held on Saturday mornings.
Many British children attend the local village
school.
There is a community swimming pool that opens
during the summer.
La Romana is 40km from Alicante and the coast.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, a twenty minute
drive away. |
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Hondón de las
Nieves with a population of 1100 and
Hondón de los Frailes with just 500 inhabitants
are two villages located in the south of the region,
both grape growing centres.
The large service centre of Elche with supermarkets,
shops and hospitals is 14km away. There is also
a train station at Elche.
Located off the main roads, the Hondóns
are 8km from Aspe and 34km from Alicante.
The nearest golf course is at Albatera, 40km away.
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| Towns and villages |
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| Aspe |
| Algueña |
| Elda |
| Hondón de las Nieves |
| Hondón de los Frailes |
| Monòver |
| Novelda |
| Petrer |
| Pinoso |
| la Romana |
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