History

During the last four centuries it has been the "Episcopal City" of the province of Alicante. Orihuela has an important artistic patrimony, resulting from its long and involved history, as well as the notable religious impression on its civic traditions.

There are vestiges of human settlements from the second half of 3000 B.C. (Catholic) up to the Iberian and the Roman periods.

During the Visigoth period, this city was the capital of the demarcation that included the current provinces of Alicante and Murcia. During the VIII Century it was the head of the Teodomiro Ducat that settled its autonomy with the Arabs. According to the legends, the highest distinction of the Visigoth's positioned women dressed in warriors´ uniforms on the town's forts to force the negotiations with invaders. In the IX Century it lost its independence against the Caliphate of the Omeya´s. Later on, Alfonso from Castile (later known as Alfonso X "The Wise") reconquered the city.

In 1296 Orihuela honoured James II of Aragon and the Reign of Valencia was constituted as the head of government and was given the right to vote in the courts.

The city of Orihuela is situated south of the province of Alicante. Its 338, 5 km2 of municipal grounds are the second largest of the whole Region of Valencia and include from a series of mountain ranges to coast. Not more than 20Km away from the city, Orihuela holds 16km of coast with excellent beaches and cliffs, such as Punta Prima, Flamenca, Cabo Roig, Campoamor and La Zenia, that offers a perfect balance between constructions and green areas. The privileged climate of the area assures half a season with temperatures at approximately 20º and more than 300 days of sun a year.