| Costa Blanca Towns - Orihuela |
|
|
|
 Orihuela - with about 50 000 habitants Orihuela is a major city of the area. You can best reach Orihuela using the national road N 340 from Alicante.Orihuela is the capital of what is called “La Vega Baja” (or the low fertile lowlands), one of the largest regions in the province of Alicante which pertains to the Valencian Community.  It is about 57 kilometres south-west of Alicante heading inland although the region’s land reaches until the Costa Blanca.It has one of the largest cultural heritages in this area and was home to the famous Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. It reached its peak of importance in the VIII century because it was the main headquarters of the Dukedom of Teodomiro. This nobleman converted Orihuela into the capital of the Christian kingdom.  Later on, during the Muslim overtake, the city was able to conserve its independence until the IX century.It was reconquered by Jaime I in 1265 and given to Castilla although it was repopulated by people from Catalunya and Aragon. In the XVI century, it was graced with being the Episcopal Headquarters. Up until now, it has taken great pride in maintaining all its monuments.There are especially two monuments to see; The Cathedral and the Palace of Rubalcalva. The Cathedral was built on grounds where a mosque had once been in the XII century and shows a Gothic style.  Through the entrance called Door of Loreto added on in the XV, you can lay your eyes on a beautiful Baroque organ. Through another entrance, the Renaissance style is evident. The Palace of Rubalcava was inhabited by members of this family up until 1933 and in 1976 it became property of the town. It has a sweeping marble staircase that takes you up to the noble main salons – the red salon with family portraits, the yellow salon used nowadays for weddings, the dance hall or hall of mirrors with a French air. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
