Explore the fascinating History of Benidorm and “The Half League of Benidorm” and its transformation into the beautiful region of the Marina Baixa. Immerse yourself in the past, present and attractions of this place that was emblematic and a part of the history of the municipality and its illustrious surnames.
Origins of ‘La Media Legua’ in Benidorm
The history of ‘La Media Legua’ in Benidorm dates back to distant times. This site, located in the splendid Marina Baixa region, is a living testimony to the rich heritage of the area. The name ‘La Media Legua’ refers to an ancient measure of distance that used to be used in the area.
La Media Legua is part of a series of manor houses, estates from the medieval period. There is evidence of the road that led to them from Roman times, with a Roman road called Via Dianium, which went from Denia along the coast towards Alicante as a branch of the Via Augusta (Rome-Cádiz).
These estates formed a privileged environment, especially because they had a basic resource that was not available in other areas: water through irrigation from the Sequia Mare. Many nobles or lords retired to spend long periods in these houses, especially in winter. For a more technical and in-depth explanation, we recommend reading the article from the Corsario Zarafin Blog.
In an article in the bulletin “Les Festes” of 1930, Miguel Orts y Orts writes to the famous mayor Don Pedro Zaragoza to tell him about one of the most beautiful views of Benidorm, the camí de Baix, from the media legua to the rock of the sarvacho. He describes this area as rich in commerce and full of life, with traders that look like ants, highlighting the area of exchange of materials as it is an area on the way between municipalities.
The Transformation into a Camping Area for Festivity Groups
Over time, ‘La Media Legua’ metamorphosed into a camping area that offers a refuge in the heart of nature in the Marina Baixa region. Each year, about 5000 festivity group members gathered for a weekend in late April to celebrate the “mig any”, which commemorates that there are only 6 months left until the Patron Saint Festivities of Benidorm.
Historical Milestones in ‘La Media Legua’
It was an area of conflicts, as reflected in writings from 1686, where the lord of Altea and Benidorm maintained differences over the boundaries of both municipalities. In 1823, French troops, the so-called Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis, passed through there.
Location of La Media Legua
The La Media Legua Estate is located in the municipality of Benidorm, 8.6km by car (17 minutes) from the center of Benidorm via the N-332 road.
The estate is 3.4 km from Albir Beach, about 8-10 minutes by car depending on traffic.
