Daya Vieja: Huerta, Culture and Festive Traditions
Accommodation in Daya Vieja
The Rollo jurisdiccional of Daya Vieja is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural and preserves its original structure.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Daya Vieja, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be compared on the respective accommodation pages. These three details provide a clear framework for your dates and the accommodation you want.
More destinations for planning your trip: Banyeres De Mariola, Santa Pola, El Tossal, Arneva, Las Virtudes, Gaianes, Orxeta and Elda.
Culture
The Columna del León is also a Rollo jurisdiccional: a stone column erected on steps and topped with a symbol. It commemorates the founding of the feudal lordship of Daya Vieja in 1791.
The Centro cultural La Acequia was originally a water-supply building and was converted into a cultural centre. It is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural and includes a library, a conference and multipurpose hall, and a projection room. Its tower has been set up as a viewpoint.
On the Plaza del León, Daya Vieja’s aristocratic past, represented by the Columna del León and the coats of arms of the counts and, later, the dukes of Pinohermoso, comes together with date palms.
The Iglesia Ntra. Sra. de Monserrate was rebuilt on the site of an earlier chapel and preserves some remains of the original place of worship. It houses an image of the Virgin Mary by Manuel Ribera Girona; the crown of the Virgin was made by Talleres David de Valencia.
Landscape and Routes
Daya Vieja lies on a flat area corresponding to the floodplain of the Vega.
Green huertas and an extensive network of irrigation channels surround the town and are considered evidence of its Arab origins.
The Camino Puente la Loza runs through the huerta. Along this route, you can walk through typical agricultural landscapes.
The Mirador del Palmeral is a spiral-shaped viewpoint. The spiral viewing structure supports a tree and offers views across the Vega Baja del Segura.
Festivities
The festivities in honour of Ntra. de Monserrate usually begin with the traditional Pasacalles de la Caña, accompanied by dulzaina and tamboril. They conclude on 8 September with a solemn procession followed by fireworks.
During Semana Santa in Daya Vieja, the processions particularly highlight the Santo Entierro on Holy Saturday; the religious images are carried on people’s shoulders.
The Romería de San Isidro takes place in May around 15 May and leads with the saint’s image to the El Marco huerta area, where a communal day of festivities is held. Traditional dishes eaten on the occasion include paella with rabbit, the dessert almojábenas and brazo de gitano.
La Salida del Niño is a procession that visits every household in the town and enters them to bless them with the image of the Christ Child. Christmas carols accompany the procession, as does a trovero whose verses usually refer to the households being visited.
The festivities in honour of Ntra. de Monserrate also include sporting competitions and traditional games such as Caliche and Pique.
For the wider travel overview: Alicante.
