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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.

In 1564 the diocese of Orihuela was created. During the "Succession War", the city's governor, the Duke of Rafael, supported the pretender Charles of Austria; and Phillip V´s victory caused the city's ravage and loss of authority.

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.

Beaches

Cabo Roig:

This cape is limited on the North side by "La Zenia" Beach and on the South side by the "Dehesa de Campoamor" Beach.
Extension: 420 m. long and 18 m. wide.

• "El Capitán" Beach (86 m.)
• "La Caleta" Beach (43 m.)

Dehesa de Campoamor

Open beach with fine sand and situated in a semi-urban area limited north by "Cabo Roig" Beach and south by "Mil Palmeras" Beach.
Extension: 650 m. long and 20 m. wide.

• "Aguamarina" Beach (30 m.)
• "La Glea" Beach (70 m.)
• "Barranco Rubio" (48 m.)

La Zenia

Situated in a semi-urban area, limited north by the "Flamenca" Beach and south by "Cabo Roig" Beach.
Extension: 350 m. long and 60 m. wide.

• "Bosque" Bay (115 m.)

Mil Palmeras

Natural beach situated in an urban area limited north by "Campoamor" Beach.
Extension: 346 m. long and 45m wide.

Flamenca Beach

Limited north by "Punta Prima" Beach and south by "La Zenia" Bech.
Extension: 150m. long and 16m wide.

• "Las Estancas" Beach.

Punta Prima

Limited north by "Los Naúfragos" Beach (Torrevieja) and south by "Flamenca" Beach.
Extension: 170 m. long and 14 m. wide.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Orihuela is of great tradition.

The products of its land and its master artisans elaborate succulent and tasteful dishes for every pallet. From its homemade "tapas" must be highlighted the great "ensaladillas" (mixed salads dressed with mayonnaise), typical fried chards with garlic, bean omelette, fried blood with onion and cod croquettes. It is essential to try its "arroz y costra" (baked rice) that is prepared with the best homemade cold cuts of this area.

Additionally, you can taste dishes like turkey "guisao" (turkey stew), "cocido de pelotas" (a type of dumpling stew), etc..

There are an ample assortment of cakes and sweets appropriated for each season of the year.

These Artisan cakes and pastries can be found in specialised confectioneries and bakeries such as the city's convent, where exquisite almond tarts and other pastries such as "chatos", "zamorras" and "pasteles de Gloria" can be found.

Fiestas

• January: "Three Kings" Procession and Saint "Antonio Abad's " Festivity.
• February: Carnival fiestas and processions.
• March: Saint Joseph's Festivity and Lent.
• April: Easter Procession, declared National Tourist Interest and Orihuela´s Commerce and Fashion Day.
• May: Saint "Isidro Labrador" Festivity.
• June: Corpus Christi Procession and "Saint Juan's" bomb fire night.
• July: Re-conquest Festivity and Moores and Christians Festivity.
• August: Livestock Fair.
• September: Montserrat Patron Virgin Festivity.
• October: Valencia's Community Festivity and "Pilar" Virgin Festivity, traditional pilgrimage.
• November: "All Saints" Festivity.
• December: "Immaculate Conception" Festivity, Constitution Day and Christmas Festivity.

Places of interest and Excursions

Monumental Route

In Orihuela´s old quarters, declared Historic-Artistic and Monumental assemblage in 1969, noble buildings succeed each other; five of them are declared national monuments:

• Saint Domingo's Convent.
• Saint Salvador's Cathedral.
• Church of the Saints Jusa and Rufina.
• Episcopal Palace.
• Church of Santiago.

 
Route of Miguelico

In this route places related with the life and works of the universal poet Miguel Hernández are visited. It is important to start at the "Fernando de Loazes" Public Library, head of the Historic Archives, since it provides a general vision of the writer's vital trajectory. Afterwards the Museum of Miguel Hernandez's House, next to the poet's expositions room, must be visited. Finally, view the "Hernandianos" Studying Centre.

Other "Miguelico" places are the Diocese's Seminar and the "El Palmeral" area.

Coastal Route

The most outstanding monument in Orihuela´s coast is the tower of Cape "Roig´s", situated in the beach that is called the same, near to the nautical club.

Hiking Trail Routes

1) Bird watching

This route transits through part of the ancient Islamic trail that joins the Diocesan Seminar with "San Isidro´s" neighbourhood. Passing through the "Oriolet" hill, we reach "El Palmeral" of Orihuela situated in "San Anton's" neighbourhood. Along the trail we can view part of the old historic quarters of Orihuela that include the Montserrat and Santiago Churches, "El Rabaloche" Neighbourhood and the "las Espeñetas" Mount. This trace mostly passes through the East side of the mount and provides a view of the contact between the sediments of Orihuela´s mountain range's foothills and the Segura River's prairie.

2) The Cross Trail

This route goes to the top of the "La Muela" Cross (464, 1 m) that can be reached through two routes. Either from the north versant, which starts in the Montepinar area; or from the south side, starting from "El Piste" bar, situated on the N-340.

When following this itinerary there are some splendorous views of the south side of the Segura River, which are characterised by the mosaic, formed by the shape of the typical cultivation system of this region.

3) "Through the River Banks."

This route passes through Orihuela´s cultivation grounds following the bank of the Segura River. The route starts in "Las Norias", which is in the limits of the province of Murcia and goes through the trail of service situated on the right margin of the river.

4) "The Repeater" trail

This route takes us to the top of the "Hurchillo" mountain range, where the TV and mobile phone repeater are situated. The trail is asphalted and starts on right hand side of the "Hurchillo" cemetery. When the decant of the canal is reached, a bridge must be crossed that introduces us to a mass of pine trees that will be present during the remaining of the itinerary.

 
Cities nearby:

• Torrevieja.
• Elche.
• Santa Pola
• Isla de Tabarca.

Theme parks and leisure

Aquopolís (Torrevieja),
Aquatic Park at 7,3 km. from La Zenia.

Pola Park (Santa Pola),
Aquatic Park at 40,4 km from La Zenia.

 

Municipal Aquarium of Santa Pola,
At 40,4 km. from La Zenia.

 

Aquapark (Rojales),
Aquatic Park at 24 km. from La Zenia.

Terra Mítica,
Theme Park at 120 km from La Zenia.
www.terramiticapark.com

Terra Natura,
Animal Theme Park at 120 km from La Zenia.
www.terranatura.com

Sports and activities

 
Various aquatic sports can be practiced, such as:

• Fishing
• Sailing
• Diving
• Water skiing
• Jet skies

 
Other sports, such as:

• Hiking
• Mountain climbing
• Cycling
• Go Karting
• Golf ( 5 golf courses)
  • Villamartín
  • Las Ramblas
  • Campoamor
  • La Finca
  • La Marquesa
• Tennis
• Horse riding
• Basketball
• Athletics

Transports

Tourist Information

Tourism Office of Orihuela

Tel. 96 530 27 47
www.aytoorihuela.es

Tourism Office of Orihuela´s Coast

Tel. 96 676 12 50

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