BARS Bar El Rincón Andaluz Café-Pub Vaca Loca Mesón El Jardín Dulces Rico S.L. HELADERÍAS ROUTE 1 ROUTE 2 C/ Lepanto, 6 Avda. de Onil, 67 Avda. Onil, 39 C/ Azorín, 35 Bar Argentina Grahepal Avda. Rep. Argentina, 35 Cervecería La Basseta 607 149 970 966 560 181 96 556 07 99 The square where the Convent of the Minimal Franciscan Castalla conserves its Old Quarter very well, full of winding C/ Lope de Vega, 11 - bajo Priests is to be found is a good point to set off from on this first streets and a never-ending climb towards the castle. Tronetes Bar Avenida C/ Azorín, 45 Café-Pub L’ Escarabat d’Or Mesón El Vizcayo Emiliano Mira S.L 610 523 476 Avda. Rep. Argentina, 2 96 656 06 88 C/ Blasco Ibáñez, 51 Camí La Bola, s/n C/ Senieta l’Auelet, 10 route through the town. Street next to the church and one of the most typical streets in Heladeria Capriccio Castalla with its white houses and cobbled street, is an ideal Cervecería Frankfurt Café-Pub Seven Club 96 556 01 96 96 556 02 65 The convent building is of a Neo-classical style with the austere Bar Casinos C/ Blasco Ibáñez, 13 starting point for the second route through the old quarter of Placeta Dels Casinos, 16 C/ Cervantes, 73 C/ Médico Trinidad Rivera Mesón L’Ai, ai, ai Mercado de Abastos features in its adornment that are typical of the order that had C/ Azorín, 22 96 556 03 19 Castalla. 657 811 895 Cafetería Ca Abraham 96 556 08 24 it built. Beyond this first milestone, you continue on through Bar Ca Llauro 96 556 17 14 C/ Bovians, 5 Tasca el Chorro C/ Horta la Vila s/n Emilio Bernabeu Helados Mira the commercial centre of Castalla to the Town Hall Square. The If you walk up through the streets of the old quarter, you will Avda. de Ibi, 19 667 751 319 Mesón El Polígono C/ Azorín, 29 C/ Santísima Trinidad, 6 Town Hall dates from the XVII century, built in a civil Renaissance reach the original Parish Church of Castalla, now the Hermitage Bar Ca Pepet 965 561 066 C/ Colon, 49 96 556 09 82 C/ EL Campello, 9 96 556 05 82 architecture. Close to this is a noble building which belongs to of the Preciosísíma Sangre de Cristo. The Muslim mosque was Café El Raconet 96 556 18 01 the Soler family, built in the XIX century in a decorative baroque Bar Ca Rascalio Tasca el Pechu Plaza Mayor, 5 Passeig de la Trinitat, 8 Helados Pana located here and with the Reconquest it was dedicated to the La Cuina del Pirata 687 747 158 style, commonly known as 'The Red House'. C/ Balmes, 6 Avda. de Ibi, 26 Café Tonsa Pza. Ntra, Sra. de la Soledad, 2 Preciosísima Sangre de Cristo and the Virgen de la Soledad. It is 637 169 518 96 556 18 16 Avda. Petrer, 36-40 Fidel Salvador 96 556 01 91 The High Street is the most pompous of the town, marked built in a Conquest Gothic style, and the permanent see to the C/ Dr. Fleming, 1 658 898 204 Bar Cazadores C/ Convento, 26 Helados Pana out by ancestral homes with façades that illustrate the noble image of the town's Patron Saint. Café Llomello Restaurante Hotel Don José 96 656 08 36 emblems of their owners. At the end of the street, you will find C/ Blasco Ibañez, 68 C/ Rep. Argentina, 12 C/ República Argentina, 45 The castle, one of the town's most representative images, is CAFES Avda. de Ibi, 50 the Parish Church. 96 556 16 80 Forn de pa Seva 96 556 10 38 situated on the highest part of the hill, towering above the town Café 80’s Cafetería el Passeig 96 556 15 05 Bar Central Passeig de la Trinitat, 9 Avda. del Oeste, 43 La Placeta The church, dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was and all of the Foia of Castalla and is where the town was Pza. Ntra. Sra. de La Soledad, 4 Avda. Petrer, 37 Restaurante Kike y Cuca 96 656 09 17 659 360 807 Plaça l’Hostal, 1 built in the XVII Century with a central nave and six chapels on originally established. The building was started in 1245, went Bar El Parque Ctra Castalla-Xorret de Catí km.5 C/ Azorín, 9 either side. The main door dates from 1613 and the interior is through various different reconstructions as measures to reinforce 636 873 128 607 436 341 Parque Municipal de Castalla Café L’Hostal RESTAURANTS 96 656 10 60 Lots of visitors and people who visit Castalla take great delight in a neo-gothic style. It was deified by the Beatified Juan de it as its strategic position, bordering between Aragon and Castilla, 699 740 893 C/ Juan XXIII, 1 Casa Alfonso Restaurante Hotel Xorret Luis Seva Pérez in tasting a good Gaspatxo, the typical dish that has made the Ribera and rebuilt following the Civil War, when it underwent made this imperative. 96 656 10 21 Partida de Catí s/n significant devastation in the altarpiece and its archives Bar El Rincón de Quevedo C/ Reyes Católicos, 37 C/ Mig, 60 ACCOMMODATION capital of La Foia famous in the whole region of Alicante. At present it is possible to visit this recently restored fortress. C/ Salvador Dalí, 26 Café-Pub Gea 96 656 11 99 96 556 15 05 661 835 002 96 556 04 16 C/ Blasco Ibañez, 3 - local 1 Restaurante Hotel Caseta Nova Various local bars and restaurants specialize in this delicious Casa El Roch C/ Chapí, 1 Hotel Don José *** Bar El Trenet 627 958 781 Ctra. Vieja Ibi-Castalla km. 4,5 96 556 02 63 Avda. de Ibi, 50 dish made of a flat bread cooked without yeast crumbled in C, Les Eres, 47 666 533 397 Avda. Rep. Argentina, 2 Café-Pub El Cau 96 556 01 95 Avda. Petrer s/n 96 556 15 05 - 96 556 14 51 small flakes, copious quantities of meat, mushrooms, snails as 675 106 366 C/Doctor Sapena, 15 Restaurante Hong Kong 96 556 00 74 Hotel Xorret de Catí*** well as lightly fried tomato and onion. And also "pebrella" 96 656 04 91 Casa Paqui Avda. de Ibi, 91 PLAÇA Bar Friends C/ Les Eres, 35 Panadería Batiste Partida Catí s/n (piperela) derived from the thyme family, an aromatic herb that EL CARRETER C/ Alcalde Juan Rico p.2 96 656 03 42 Café- Bar Titania 96 556 05 28 Travessera Quatre Camins 9655604 00/01 gives Gaspatxos its characteristic taste. Urb. Castalla Internacional C/ Trav. Quatre camins, 2 Restaurante Jardín de Loto II C/ BIAR C/ RACÓ CAMPANA Bar Gil 661 635 144 Pizzería Casa Claudia Avda. de Onil, 61 Panadería Roque Hotel Caseta Nova*** Tasting good Gaspatxos is just like a ritual and a pleasure for C/ GARRIGÓS Castalla’s C/ Joan Beneyto, 4 C/ Cervantes, 83 Ctra. Vieja Ibi-Castalla km 4,5 C/ PEDRO JUAN LEAL Avda. Constitución, 34 Cafetería Boris 96 656 04 81 the taste: firstly, all ingredients are served on a bread base and 96 656 05 23 96 656 08 90 96 556 09 63 666 533 397 Castle C/ Rep. El Salvador, 2 Restaurante La Senia grilled on embers. It is served with a good red wine and and all C/ SANTS LLAURADORS Cassana Restaurant C/ Juan XXII, 50 600 507 888 PASSEIG DE LA TRINITAT Bar la Bolera II 96 556 01 46 Avda. de Alcoy, 2 i oli –a garlic and oil sauce. To finish, a piece of the bread base C/ BALMES 96 556 08 56 PLAÇA C/ Cervantes, 44 Ctra. de Alicante, 6 670 777 105 Campamento de Fontés PLAÇA DE PLAÇA Cafetería La Basseta with honey and a cup of wild thyme tea. NTRA. SRA. PLAÇA MAGDALENA 96 656 08 42 96 654 30 55 Partida La Pará s/n L’HOSTAL DE LA SOLEDAT DELS C/ DR. FERMÍN BERNABEU C/ Rep. El Salvador, 6 Restaurante Castalla Fryer CASSINOS C/ SAN ANTONIO Restaurante Izaskun 647 734 728 C/ CARRIL DE LA SANG Bar La Manchega C/ Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, 9 FOOD TO TAKE AWAY Besides Gaspatxo, other typical dishes are borreta de bacallar C/ CONVENTO C/ MIG C/ HORNO AMOROSAS C/ Reyes Católicos,17 Cafetería La Torre Rotonda Castalla-Onil (vía de C/ DR. SAPENA 637 134 324 A Ca Maribel Refugio y Cabañas – a stew with potatoes and cod, arròs amb conill –a rice stew 96 556 06 05 C/ Ramón y Cajal, 1 servicio) C/ EMPEDRADA 96 556 08 65 96 656 08 08 Avda. de Petrer, 35 Silvoturismo with rabbit-, putxero de fassedures –a stew with traditional Bar La Tapeta Partida Catí s/n RACÓ 96 556 01 82 meatballs- or arròs de la muntanya –paella with rabbit, snails and C/ DELS ARMARIS C/ Jaume I, 20 Cafetería Las Cañas Restaurante Bar Stop BAKERIES DEL RIAL 96 537 62 31 mushrooms. PLAÇA DE C/ HOSPITAL 965 561 665 C/ Azorín, 26 Avda. de Onil, 101 Bollería Mercedes A ta casa PLAÇA MAJOR Cases de Castalla LA FONT Bar Natalia 96 556 07 46 96 656 05 53 C/ Mayor, 23 C/ Lepanto, 7 Not to be forgotten are the excellent homemade sausages VELLA 96 654 32 30 Avda. del Oeste, 23 C/ MIG PARQUE C/ Herrerías,14 Cafetería Mediterraneo Restaurante Polideportivo 96 556 02 32 C/ MAJOR BLASCO 96 556 16 81 and meats, as the wide range of typical 'tapas': meat, fish and C/ BLASCO 616 743 432 C/ Juan XXIII, 20 Ciudad deportiva Ca Camarasa L’ Entrepà vegetable snacks available in any bar or restaurant. C/ CONTADOR BAJADA DE LA SANGRE 96 656 10 75 Avda. de Petrer, 41 PZA. C/ TRINQUETE Bar Parque la Carrasca 96 556 11 47 C/ Bovians, 3 Casa Rural La Barsella STO. TOMÁS P.I. - Avda. Italia, 20 96 556 02 18 647 630 408 Partida El Clot-Charrell s/n Another speciality in our local gastronomy is our varied and PASSEIG ANTIGA BASSA DE LA VILA C/ ALJIBE C/ GLORIA C/ PUNTA LA PENYA Cafetería Trébol Restaurante Nou Trinquet TRAV. SAN ANTONIO 660 406 224 PLAZA 646 045 686 C/ Constitución, 22 Pronto Pizza outstanding confectionery. Sweets like sequillos, pastissets de C/ AMOROSAS C/ CASCORRO C/ Les Eres, 86 Chuscos Capot TR. MIG S. ANTONIO H. SAN ROQUE C/ PICADORES C/ TORTOSA Bar Rama 96 556 19 71 96 556 07 82 C/ Horno Amorosas, 12 C/ Azorín, 17 Casa Rural Primavera d’hivern moniato, tonyes or madalenes de ametla can be bought in different C/ MIG C/ LAS PARRAS 96 556 09 31 C/ MAJOR C/ Jaime I, 5 Plaça Bous Restaurante Asador Castalla 96 556 00 67 C/ Mayor, 33 local bakeries, most of them with their own baker's oven in the C/ Ramón y Cajal, 1 Avda. de Ibi, 31 C/ Convento, 4 Pizzería El Uruguayo 659 556 574 back room. LA C/ VELA Lucy’s Bar MUNICIPAL C/ CANTARERÍAS C/ Joan Beneyto, 10 96 556 11 84 965 560 611 96 556 00 67 Avda. República Argentina PARQUE Within the traditional ice-cream industry in the area, many C/ CRESPOS C/ GRADAS homemade ice-creams can be tasted in Castalla. Made with the C/ NUEVA C/ TRONETES

Published by: same recipe over the years, mantecao is one of the most popular C/ PENYETES M. I. Ayto. de Castalla flavours. In the highlighted spots, you will C/ SAN ROQUE Concejalía de Turismo C/ CAMÍ DE CABANYES find information panels where you can PLAZA C/ PORTAL D’ONIL Design by: Castalla produces excellent olive oil and delicious wine sold DE LA find out more about each point. IGLESIA bd-grafic PARQUE under the trademark "Castillo de Castalla". Both can be purchased EL CHORRO Photography: in the local agricultural Cooperative. B. Brotóns, R. Fuster,, A.R.S., y Visionart Concejalía de Turismo Edition: October 2.008 M. I. Ayuntamiento de Castalla Located in a beautiful valley with the same name; the Foia ACCESS This urban centre of great historical interest grow as the result The history of Castalla started on the plains which offered of a long process of change and transformation, between the Middle optimum conditions for cultivation and pasture. Apart from this, of Castalla is surrounded by Nature and here you will find the • Castalla has an excellent communications system; via the Distance in kilometres between Castalla and... city of Castalla snuggled into the hill that is crowned by the Ages and the present. The earliest buildings were clustered around the valley also had good fresh water supplies. In the 3rd millennium central motorway (A-7) you can reach Alcoy or San Vicente castle. • Alcoy ...... 28 km the bottom of the castle, and have left remains such as the Ermita BC the Mas dels Alfaros (Alfaros Farm) was settled by farming de la Sang del Raspeig, where there is a link with the motorway to • Villena...... 18 Km (Hermitage of Holy Blood). Built in the 14th century, it communities. By the Bronze Age (2nd Millenium BC) there were Only 30 km from the capital city of the province of Alicante, Madrid (A-31). • Alicante...... 30 Km served as Castalla's parish church until 1571. In 1577 it became the you can discover this privileged spot surrounded by mountain home of the Cofradía de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo (Fraternity of a number of settlements, such as Alt de Paella, Cabeço dels • By plane, the nearest airport is El Altet in Alicante and • Benidorm...... 73 km ranges such as l'Argenya, Maigmó or Catí. • Valencia ...... 140 Km Christ's Blood) and ever since it has kept that name. Gothic in style, Campellos, Castell de Castalla and Foia de la Perera, each of which Manises in Valencia. it is divided into five naves by large diaphragm arcs with simulated aimed at controlling and exploiting the territory's resources. The main town of the Foia welcomes us with its unforgettable • Madrid ...... 390 Km • By train, the nearest stations are Villena, Alcoy and Alicante. • Barcelona ...... 500 km chapels in the side aisles. The main axis is presided by a Rococo silhouette and invites us to stroll through its streets packed alcove which houses the image of the Virgen de la Soledad, Castalla's Later, in the Iberian times, the strategic location of the hill on with history Aristocratic houses, century-old palaces, churches patron. As her home, it plays an outstanding symbolic and religious which Castalla's castle stands, became important. Archaeological and winding streets full of charm lead us up to the majestic role in local festivities such as The Moors and Christians fiesta or remains have revealed the existence of settlements there, between castle, which stands as a constant witness to the history of Holy Week. On either side of the Virgin are the Sacristy and the stairs the 2nd and 1st century BC, which was intended to control the the city. Population: 9.673 inhabitants leading to the crypt, where townsfolk were buried between the 14th surrounding territory. It was then occupied by the Romans, from Altitude: 675 m. century and 1571, the year in which the new parish church was the 1st century BC to the 5th century AC. Other examples of 2 blessed. Next to this popular crypt were other private ones, such The local gastronomy delights us with exquisite dishes such Surface area: 114,6 km settlement can be elsewhere, as at Cabanyes (1st and 2nd century as its famous gaspatxos or the delicious homemade desserts: Average temperature: 13o those of the family Vilanova family, seigneurial lords of Castalla and the Pérez family. a.C). sequillos, a type of biscuit, cocas and'toñas local cakes, ice- Name of the inhabitants: cream and many other types of homemade confectionary. Castallense (val.; castellut/da) As the town's population grew during the 14th and 15th centuries The Middle Ages ushered in a new period of history in which an irregularly laid-out arrabal or extramural quarter grew around Castalla's importance grew. In the 11th century the Muslims Surrounded by countryside, excellent wines are obtained the walls. Narrow steep streets and small squares are typical of these raised the first fortified construction which became the region's from the land; also almonds, as well as olive oil with its areas. Examples are the Plaça de Sant Tomás (Saint Thomas Square) administrative centre. There were other smaller settlements too A number of different festivities are celebrated in Castalla during incomparable flavour are all produced in the local agricultural and Plaáa de Sant Antoni (Saint Anthony Square). The first owes its such as Alquerías de Almarra, Casa de l'Escrivà or Torreta de the year. Many these traditions are hundreds of years old, such as cooperatives. Over half of the municipal area of Castalla is name to Saint Tomás de Villanueva, Archbishop of Valencia, who the Moors and Christians festivities and other more recent ones, densely populated forest land which is highly suitable for made a pastoral visit here in the 16th century. In the plaza stands Cabanyes. The qâria or farmstead, of Almarra, from the Arabic such as the San Isidro Fair, which fill up a varied festive calendar. al-mara or "place to drop in" deserves special mention. Its active tourism. Hiking or cycling are some of the options to a ceramic altarpiece dating from the 19th century in which the In the first part of the year several different festivities are spend some time at one with Nature. The significant covering visionary Saint appears with a crosier and other bishop's signs of double necropolis has allowed deeply knowledge of Muslim life celebrated: Carnival, Mig Any of Moors and Christians, and Easter. of vegetation, above all in the shaded areas, is predominated office, next to a child. The inscription reads: SANTO TOMAS DE in the Foia de Castalla. From 1244 when Castalla became part VILLANUEVA Arpo (Saint Thomas of Villanueva, archbishop). The of the Kingdom of Aragon, it was also a frontier town lying on When the good weather sets in is when the calendar is really by the kermes oak wood and aromatic plants such as thyme, packed full of celebrations. The 'San Francesc' Bonfire Night, then rosemary, 'piperela', a herb derived from the thyme family and Plaça de Sant Antoni owes its name to a small church now disappeared, the dividing line linking the towns of Biar and Busot, as described Plaça de The hill on which the town's castle sits was occupied in prehistoric Easter and the San Isidro Fair in May. cat's tail. which was dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. Like the by the Almizra Treaty. As in the Muslim period, Castalla with its Sant Tomás, it has a 19th-century ceramic altarpiece with an image times (around 2.000 BC) and during both the Iberian and Roman castle continued to be the focal part of the surrounding area. July starts off with the celebration of the traditional Bouet de Its natural richness offers us the possibility to enjoy open- of the Immaculate Conception. Next to these squares stood other periods (2nd century BC - 5th century AD). In the 11th century the In 1287, when the Muslims left, King Alfonso III conferred carta la Sang festivity and gets the ball rolling for the Patron Saint air activities such as hiking and cycling, especially in the Xorret public buildings, such as the seat of Castalla's Consell (Council), a Muslims raised the first fortification that was to become the Foia de celebrations of the Presentation of the Queen of the festivity and local body similar to today's Town Hall, which was located where puebla upon Castalla, allowing land to be redistributed among Sant Jaume, on the 25th July, a day when the public announcement de Catí area. the gardens of Las Parras are today. Castalla's administrative centre. new residents. In 1362 the King Pedro IV ceded both the town of the imminent festivities is given, the groups flags are blessed and castle to Ramon de Vilanova to guarantee its defence against The district of Castalla occupies the mountains in the West During the 16th and 17th centuries, Castalla's urban layout After its peaceful incorporation in the Kingdom of Aragon in and an informal parade takes place from the Hermitage to the 1244, the castle played a crucial role in defending the border with possible Castilian attacks. For the next century and a half Castalla main square and culminates in the Ballada de les Banderes. and South east of the Foia, which are the following: Sierra de became more regular, with wider streets and squares and new steadily expanded, initially around the base of the castle's summit. la Argueña (1.228 m.), Sierra de Castalla (1.175 m.), and features such as the parish church and the town hall. Built in the the Kingdom of Castile. King Pedro V gave the castle to Ram¢n de The Running of the Bull in August is the popular and traditional The Ermita or Hermitage of Holy Blood and the Aljub de la Vila North of the Sierra del Maigmó (1.296 m.) 16th century, the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption Vilanova in 1362 in order to strengthen its deteriorated defences moment of this month. It is celebrated around the middle of August (Town's cistern) are proofs thereof. However, to grow, it spread and during several days cows are let loose in a closed circuit in (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) repeats the Ermita de la Sang against attacks by Castilian armies. From then on and throughout architectural structure: a single nave divided into five sections with outwards on to the surrounding plain. the streets of the centre of the town. The mountain ranges to the East, North and North West of the 15th century the castle underwent significant transformations the Foia belong to Tibi, Ibi Onil and Biar with altitudes of: El side chapels, in Gothic style. Its 17th century Mannerist Facade rises The Exaltation of the Festivities and the proclamation of the as El Palau and Pati d'armes were planned and built. El Palau, a Reconco (1.206 m.), Cenarosa (1.210 m.), Menejador (1.352 up splendid above Carrer Major while the bell tower serves as The Church of the Assumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), festivities are also celebrated at the end of August in the Main fortified palace, was the Lord's well-defended residence. For its part, m.) and Penya Rotja (1.226 m.) reference point for the surrounding buildings. Its artistic wealth the castle's 16th-century Torre Grossa (Stout Tower) and the Square. included elements such as a gilded altarpiece, above the High Altar, the Pati d'Armes (Parade Ground) housed several domestic structures, Town Hall are outstanding landmarks from this early modern All these celebrations act as a prelude to the Festivities held in The climate in the area can be defined as a typical carved in wood. It disappeared during the Spanish Civil War. In the such as the aljibe (cistern), often locally called l'escola dels moros period. In the 18th century Castalla supported Philip V in the Carrer Major honour of the Patron Saint in Castalla, held between 1st and 4th Mediterranean mountain climate with occasional snowfalls in 17th century, the or High Street became the town's (the Moor's school). Torre Grossa (Stout Tower) built in 1579, was War of Spanish Succession (side botifler), the erudite botanist September in honour of Virgen de la Soledad, the patron saint of main artery and as such, scene of some of local festivities, such as winter. the final construction of importance within the castle precincts, and A.J. Cavanilles visited the town and local dignitary Tomás Cerdá the town. With over two centuries of history, they are the main Moors and Christians fiestas, or Holy Week. The street starts in one Rico became Officer of the Secretariat of The Indies –a kind of celebrations that take place in Castalla. Its festivities and traditions reveal the warm and welcoming of the town's most important architectural spaces: the Plaza Mayor was built as part of the Habsburg monarchy's strategy for dealing character of its people that make the visitor feel completely (Main Square). Here also stands the Ayuntamiento, built in the 17th with the Barbary pirates' constant raids on the Alicante coastline. colonial council-, and was an eminent member of the Spanish The festivities start on 31st August with the celebration of the century. Its ground floor or Lonja was used until the end of the 19th Royal Academy of History. Nit de l'Olleta. Many different public acts take place during the at home. The Moors and Christians, the Bull Run, Easter all As the castle lost its military character, it went into further decline, occupy the town's festive calendar. However it is unquestionably century as a market. Nowadays it is still the seat of Ayuntamiento following four days. The most important and colourful being the remaining consigned to specific functions, such as storage during In the 19th and 20th centuries Castalla was to find itself Entrada parade and the floral offering. Another characteristic acts the San Isidro Fair that succeeds in showing the visitor the or the local government. The adjacent 19th-century urban palace, caught up again in armed conflicts: the Napoleonic Wars and built by the Soler family, also stands out as one of the best examples the 18th-centruy Spanish War of Succession. By 1813 it was in ruins of these festivities is the procession of the Bajada de la Virgen, when wide range of commercial activities and services that are the Spanish Civil War. These were stuffs between monarchy, the patron saint is accompanied by a volley from arquebusiers and available. of Mediterranean urban architecture. It is also widely known as and had become a quiet witness to visitors climbing up from Castalla “Casa Vermella” or "Casa Roja" (Red House). Near the square is republics and dictatorships, each of which brought economic the rhythm of folk music and mazurka or the Ballada de les Banderes and the surrounding area. In the 20th century, between 1933 and and social changes to the town. But in this modern period (the Dance of the Flags). The economical activity is centred on the large number of another Castalla's landmark: the convent of Sant Francesc de Paula, 1935, the hill, including its fortifications, was sacked by the town's built by the Order of the Franciscan Minim Friars, founded by Saint Castalla also became today's modern, hospitable, friendly town Another typical festivity also celebrated in September is Les industries that are based in the town. In spite of being set in inhabitants in search of treasures. Today a new episode of its long the heart of the Toy Valley, important manufacturers of all Francisco de Paula between the 18 and 19th century. It consists of which has managed to keep its festivities and traditions, such Danses, held on the penultimate weekend of the month. This ancient kinds of products are to be found, ranging from toys, furniture, a cruciform single nave, side chapels, a bell-tower and an attached history has begun with its restoration as a site with public visits, as the Moors and Christians fiestas and to restore and preserve celebration with local popular dances is celebrated over 3 days. plastics, doors to cardboard. cloister. Only the church is left standing from the original complex. hopefully soon to be extended to other sites of cultural interest on emblematic elements of its architectural heritage, such as the It takes place in the Main Square to the sound of the dolçaina i el The belltower is a modern, while the cloister has disappeared. the slopes below the castle. castle. tabalet (autochthonous flutes).