Discover Xaló: History, Trails and Festivals
Accommodation in Xaló
Those who want to discover Xaló through tangible evidence of its past will find objects at the Museu Etnològic i Arqueològic de Xaló that illustrate local traditions and the way of life throughout history. The museum comprises three rooms covering prehistory, archaeological heritage and local ethnology.
File:Església de santa Maria de Xaló, lluneta del transsepte.JPG
Photo: Joanbanjo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Culture
In Xaló’s historic quarter there are ceramic wayside shrines from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María was built between the 18th and 19th centuries in the neoclassical style. Its high altar features the image known as the “Virgen Pobre”, the patron saint of Xaló. The building has a Latin-cross floor plan with three naves and an octagonal bell tower.
Another historical landmark is the Bassa de Sapena o dels Arcs, a water basin from the 18th century. Arches and columns cross the basin; they once supported its former roof. The site is located near the town centre and can be reached on foot. Directional and information signs indicate two access routes and allow visitors to explore it freely. The Ermita de Santo Domingo can be visited on Saturday mornings or by appointment.
Trails and nature
The Ruta dels Pous leads to four historic wells that supplied Xaló with water before the introduction of the drinking-water supply. The Ruta dels Martorells includes the Plaça de Xaló, La Senyoria, the Alqueria de Benibrai, the Pas Estret and the Muntanya del Benibrai, now known as Devesa. The Ruta del Xaló històric runs through the oldest part of Xaló, the Ràfol de Xaló; its narrow, winding streets date back to the Mudéjar period.
At Parque Botánico El Tossalet, you can discover the native flora of the Vall de Pop and use hiking trails. At the same time, the park serves as a traditional Stations of the Cross. The route through the grounds passes a lime kiln and numerous wells, which are considered culturally valuable structures. The Serra de Bèrnia, with the Font de Cabanyes and the ruins of the fort, is considered a landscape destination associated with Xaló.
Festivals and traditions
The Festa en honor a la Mare de Déu Pobra is celebrated on the third Monday in October. It includes traditional dances from Xaló, known as “les danses”, and the distribution of “pambenet”, a local pastry speciality.
The Festa del Romer takes place every year on the last Saturday in April. The festival includes a pilgrimage to Hondo de la Solana to collect rosemary and the eating of traditional “bollos”, filled pastries with peas.
Xalónia has taken place every year since 2012 on the first weekend of the year and showcases local craft activities. It brings together the Fira del vi i de l’embotit tradicional, the Fira del comerç i artesanal, the Festival de música i Cultura popular and the Fira solidària. Local products and local cuisine are also presented there; a craft exhibition and performances take place in the historic centre. The Fiestas en Honor a Sant Doménec take place at the Ermita de Sant Doménec and on the Plaza Mayor.
Wine and gastronomy
The Museu del vi Masserof is an active wine museum in an 11th-century finca. Artisanal organic wine is produced there, and visitors can tour the museum. Xaló is one of the participating municipalities along the Ruta dels Riuraus. In the Marina Alta, this route explores the historical heritage of the Muscat grape and the riuraus on hiking and cycling routes.
Xaló also has a market focusing on organic farming and traditional products from the region. These include tomatoes, lettuce, eggs, organic wine and mistela. The Tourist Info Vall de Pop is located on the Paseo de la Alameda in Xaló.
Other places: Orba, Callosa De Segura, Benijófar, Jijona, Lliber, Callosa D'en Sarrià, Beniaia, Granja De Rocamora
To the main travel overview: Alicante.
