Posts Tagged ‘Castell de Guadalest’
Guadalest in the Mountains
Posted on: November 18, 2020
- In: Spain | Travel
- 72 Comments
A favourite place to visit near us is the historic village of Guadalest located on a pinnacle of rock with spectacular views all around. It requires driving a twisty, narrow road that winds up into the mountains. At one time Guadalest was only accessible by donkeys. I think it is the same path. But it is so worth it when you get there! I wrote about the Museum of Torture we discovered on one visit, but there is much more to see and do.
There are many shops selling souvenirs, crafts and local produce such as honey, wine, and handbags. There are also a number of unique small museums and great restaurants offering Spanish tapas and full meals. The cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses are straight out of a storybook.
A highlight is Guadalest Castle (Castell de Guadalest), built in the 11th Century by the Moors, which is accessed by walking through a 15-foot long tunnel carved out of the rock, known as the Portal de San Jose.
Once through the tunnel, it’s like you have entered another time. The old village houses surround a square with a statue of a famous bishop in the centre. The restored house of the Orduna family, an important family of Guadalest, is a museum that gives an idea of what it used to be like living in the village many years ago. It also houses an art gallery. From this house, a path leads to the bell tower.
The most famous attraction is the picturesque white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala, precariously perched on the mountainside and found on most postcards. If you don’t mind a bit of a hike, a well-maintained path takes you up to the bell tower. The twelve stations of the cross dot the side of the path, and near the top is an old graveyard. The hike is worth it as at the very top, you are treated to fabulous views of the valley and reservoir.
Text and Image copyright © 2020 Darlene Foster – All Rights Reserved
Special Visitors from Abroad
Posted on: June 29, 2017
- In: Family | People | Spain | Travel
- 36 Comments
I haven’t been spending much time on my blog lately but there is a very good reason. I’ve been entertaining overseas guests and showing them around my part of Spain. The three of us come from the same place originally and have been buddies since we were children. One is related, one isn’t, one now lives in Arizona and one in Alberta. I can´t tell you how wonderful it has been having them here in Spain with me.
So far we have explored medieval castles, cathedrals, museums, a Roman fortress, an amphitheatre, and a sanctuary built into the side of a mountain, shopped the markets, shared tapas and watched a flamenco dancer to name a few of the many fun things we’ve been doing. I’ll write more about these events and sites later but in the meantime here are a few pictures to show what we’ve been up to.
At the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Esperanza
Happy to have my friends here in Spain with me.
With a friendly sailor in Cartagena
Enjoying the amphitheatre in Cartagena
On stage at the amphitheatre ready to give a performance
A Roman Senator lost his head over us!
At the top of the castle in Guadalest
Beautiful Guadalest
We did not fight over the knight in shining armour
Someone bought a new hat at the market and is very happy!
Resting in a cute courtyard in Cordoba.
At the Alcazar in Cordoba with King Alfonso
Look who we found at the top of Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante
The three amigas together again, ready for adventure.
There are many more pictures and stories to share but you will have to wait.
Note – pictures from a collection taken by all three of us.
- In: Spain | Travel
- 36 Comments
There has been less than one hour of rain in the past four months here on the Costa Blanca. Temperatures soared to over forty degrees Celsius in July and August so we didn´t feel like venturing very far. Things are now back to comfortable temperatures so we decided to take a bus to Les Fonts de Algar and the charming village of Guadalest tucked in the mountains. The waterfalls were pretty and we enjoyed our leisurely walk around them. Some brave souls took a dip in the clear turquoise waters but we decided to stay on dry ground.
Les Fonts de L´Algar
Once back on the bus, the heavens opened and it poured rain. Not a pleasant little shower but a deluge. It rained all the way up the twisty mountain road to Guadalest. Not prepared, we got totally soaked running from the bus to a nearby restaurant. After a nice meal, we purchased umbrellas and went exploring in the rain. To my delight, we discovered a Salt and Pepper Museum with over 20,000 salt and pepper shakers on display. A most pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon. Here are a few for you.
Guadalest is home to six museums, all quite unique. Time did not permit me to visit all of them and a couple were closed. I stopped in at a miniature museum which was also very interesting and well put together. I didn´t however visit the Museum of Medieval Torture as I am a bit squeamish, but it looked cool. Maybe next time.
Guadalest is a picturesque village with interesting streets and a castle overlooking it. Just as we were about to board the bus to return home, the sun came out!
Castell de Guadalest overlooking the town
The streets of Guadalest
Trust us to take this trip on one of the few rainy days. It was a good day in spite of it and we laughed all the way home. Fortunately, we had visited this place a few years ago on a sunny day.
Guadalest on a sunny day
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