La Costera, located in the interior of the province of Valencia, is a unique space that brings together 19 municipalities. Strategically located in the natural passage that connects the southern plateau with the Mediterranean (Montesa Valley), the region of La Costera has had great political and economic importance since Prehistory. That is why gastronomy, heritage and crafts are its main identity features.
From its sparsely populated mountainous areas, to its main urban center located north of the Sierra de Vernissa, the Costera offers its visitors a landscape marked not only by its rivers and valleys, but by its Arab influence that can be appreciated, in addition to its architecture, in its gastronomy and festivals, such as Moors and Christians, Fallas, Holy Week, Fira d’Agost de Xàtiva or the Bonfire of Canals are the ideal celebrations to taste dishes as characteristic as the Almoixàvena or monjavina, meat pans, and of course, rice in its many varieties.
The municipalities that give life to this region are Barxeta, Canals, Cerdà, Estubeny, Genovés, la Font de la Figuera, la Granja de la Costera, la Llosa de Ranes, Llanera de Ranes, Lloc Nou d’En Fenollet, l’Alcúdia de Crespins, Moixent, Montesa, Novetlé, Rotglà i Corberà, Torella, Vallada, Vallés and Xàtiva.
Next we will show you the Essential places that you should not miss on your route through La Costera.
The Castle of Xàtiva
Nothing better than starting with the capital of the region of La Costera, Xàtiva. One of the essentials is to visit its castle. It is a double fortress, divided into the Castell Menor and the Castell Major, so they have passed from the Iberian, Roman, Arab and Christian kingdoms. But above all the most impressive are its views from which we can see the entire region, even if there is good weather the port of Valencia.
Historic centre of Xàtiva
After knowing its castle, it is best to walk down the mountainside to its old town, since on the way down you will see two interesting enclaves, such as an old snowfield or the San Feliu Church, considered one of the oldest in the Kingdom of Valencia. Already in the city we should not miss the Royal Hospital, the Collegiate Church of Santa María or the Municipal Museum of L’Almodí, with its famous portrait of Felipe V hanging upside down in protest for razing the city during the War of Succession.
More information: What to see in Xàtiva, touring La Costera
Ethnological Museum ‘La Costera’ (La Font de la Figuera)
In the town of La Font de la Figuera we find the ethnological museum ‘La Costera’, located in an old winery of the late eighteenth century. Here we can learn a little better about the wine production process and the objects that were used. It also has other different rooms, such as one that shows us what traditional houses were like, a room on farm carts, an old alcohol factory (with the curiosity of a Kola-coca bottle, which gave rise to the famous Coca Cola) and a collection of giants and big heads.
Iberian settlement of La Bastida de les Alcusses (Moixent)
In the vicinity of Moixent we find the site of the Bastide de les Alcuses, Iberian walled settlement of the fourth century BC. C. declared a historic-artistic monument. The Guerrer de Moixent is the symbol of this site and is a bronze figure found in the town and is represented at its entrance. Already in the Iberian village and accompanied by a guide or on your own, you can contemplate an exact reproduction of a typical Iberian house, the remains of its defensive wall that had several attached towers and four access doors that allowed the passage of carts or some of the foundations of their houses and the layout of their streets.
Discover Valencian Tuscany
A few meters from the Iberian site of La Bastida de Les Alcusses and in the so-called Terres dels Alforins, a triangle formed by three populations: La Font de la Figuera (Fuentelahiguera), Moixent and Fontanars dels Alforins. In this environment the vineyards of 11 native wineries are concentrated, which have been grouped together to join forces and value the area. A natural space whose climatological characteristics, landscape and quality of the land, have made it worthy of the nickname of “Valencian Tuscany”.
In the town of Moixent you can not miss the visit to the Celler del Roure winery, which has a winery-inn built in the first half of the seventeenth century.
More information: Visit to the Celler del Roure winery in Valencian Tuscany
Bosquet Reservoir in Moixent
To discover something of the natural environment of these lands, nothing better than to visit the places of the Bosquet de Moixenta, where there is an artificial lake built in the eighteenth century for agricultural purposes, as well as a dam built in stone. An ideal place to take a walk and enjoy nature.
And if you come in summer and want to bathe in the river, we recommend the Riu Nou Natural Park of L ́Alcúdia de Crespins. This space, from its source in the northwest of l’Alcúdia to its entrance in Canals, has areas to take a walk around the river, as well as areas to prepare paellas and barbecues, a children’s area and a small beach bar where you can eat outdoors.
The Castle of Montesa
We continue the visit through the region of La Costera with Montesa. Here we find its impressive castle, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. It was the seat of the Order of Montesa after the suppression of the Order of the Temple, in order to protect the southern border of the Kingdom of Valencia. A fortress that maintains its charm despite its state of ruin due to the Montesa earthquake of 1748.
After touring the castle, it is worth going down to the village for a walk through the steep streets of Montesa. Here we will see buildings such as the abbey house, the Town Hall and its parish church. In addition to its Parish Museum of the Mare de Déu de I ́Assumpció located in a building of the sixteenth century, which contains pieces from the Castle and paintings of the parish of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, among other pieces of interest.
Museum of the Pilota de Genovés
It is located in the town of El Genovés, cradle of this traditional Valencian sport. In the museum you can discover the history and origin, the different modalities that are practiced and everything related to the protection of the hands of the players. It also has a “trinquet” which is the track where the modality of “escala i corda” is played and several rooms where to practice different modalities of this sport.
Enjoy the gastronomy of La Costera
And finally, enjoy its gastronomy such as arròs al forn (baked rice), puchero or gazpacho moixentí. For dessert you have the arnadí, the monjàvena or the fogassa.
Some of the recommendations for eating are the Restaurant El Pitxó (Moixent), the Restaurant Casa la Abuela or The picaeta of Carmeta of Xàtiva.
You have more information in the website of Turismo La Costera.
Where to stay in La Costera?
For variety it is best to stay in Xativa and from here tour the area. Here you can find the best accommodations:
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Artículo publicado en rutasporespana.es/blog
