In the heart of the province of Alicante, we find the city of Alcoy. It’s a city famous for many reasons, such as its Moors and Christians festivals or being the cradle of the industrial revolution in Spain. But it has many secrets that we will reveal in this article. A perfect 1-day excursion if you’re staying at our camping in Benidorm.
Index
Plaza de España
The nerve center of the city and perfect as a starting point for our visit. From here we can do the entire guided tour of the historic center.
Llotja de Sant Jordi
We’ll start below Plaza de España. The architect Calatrava designed La Llotja de Sant Jordi as an exhibition hall in the shape of a whale’s ribcage. It’s located underneath Plaza de España, in the subsoil.
Industrial Revolution and Modernism
Alcoy was a pioneer during the 18th and 19th centuries in the industrial revolution in Spain and it went hand in hand with modernism, which will remind us of Catalonia. Walking through its streets, we’ll see many modernist buildings. The metallurgical industry is reflected in the wrought iron of the balconies.
They also stood out in Food, stationery, or textiles.
4 points of the European Route of Modernism
If you wonder what a modernist building looks like, pay attention to certain details. The buildings have wrought iron whips, sculpted vegetation, rolled iron doors and viewpoints, sinuous balconies, curvilinear finish, etc.
Inside, you can observe mural paintings, cabinetmaking (doors and furniture), plaster capitals, ceramics, hydraulic tile floors, etc.
1. Industrial Circle
The reflection of that era is in the Industrial Circle building of Alcoy. A place founded in 1868 for meetings of businessmen of the time. It’s worth visiting the circle’s library.
2. The Peacock House
It’s a residential house that gets its name from the wrought iron peacocks that crown its entrance doors. It’s one of the most representative buildings of modernism in the Valencian Community.
3. The facade of the fire station
Building of the Unión Alcoyana company, which was in charge of extinguishing fires between 1888 and 1955. It’s a symbol of Valencian modernism and art nouveau.
4. Joan Cantó Conservatory of Music and Dance
Known as Casa D’Escalo, in honor of the textile entrepreneur Enrique García, who was called Escaló. Another example of art nouveau from 1906 by architect Vicente Pascual Pastor. VISITABLE on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
In the cemetery. It may seem strange, but guided tours are organized through Alcoy’s cemetery, for modernist vestiges and also unique mausoleums and pantheons.
Bridges
Due to its peculiar orography, Alcoy is full of bridges. The bridges of San Jorge, María Cristina, 7 Lunas, and Fernando Reig stand out.
La Sagra: World Heritage Site
Pure cave art. Visit this archaeological site and find the cave paintings of the Goats or the Deer. La Sagra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Church of Saint George
It’s a temple dedicated to the patron saint of Alcoy: Saint George. It’s not public and is closely related to the Moors and Christians festivities.
Civil War Shelters
During the Civil War, the people of Alcoy protected themselves in 25 air-raid shelters. They suffered 7 bombings from Italian planes that dropped more than 624 bombs, leaving dozens dead.
Today we can see the Cervantes shelter. It’s 100 meters long and serves as an exhibition hall to show the horrors of the Civil War in Alcoy. Its name is associated with Cervantes Park, which is nearby.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 12 to 2 PM. Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 PM. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 12:30 to 2 PM.
Admission: General 1 €. Students, seniors, and groups 0.5 €. Children under 5 free
Moors and Christians of Alcoy
The Moors and Christians festivities of Alcoy are an essential annual event to see. Legend has it that at the gates of the city, in 1276, the “Battle of Alcoy” between Muslims and Christians was decided when the figure of Saint George appeared on horseback atop the wall.
These festivities of International Tourist Interest are celebrated around April 23, in honor of the patron saint George.
To better understand these unique festivities, the filaes, the factions, captains, and other peculiarities, we recommend you visit the Alcoy Festival Museum, the MAF. It’s located in the Casal de Sant Jordi, at 60-62 Sant Miquel Street.
The Moors and Christians festival is also one of the things to see in Villajoyosa, at the end of July.
Christmas City
Alcoy Christmas City (Quality Tours Mariola)
Saturdays: December 7, 14, 21, 28, and January 4.
Sundays: December 8, 15, 22, 29, and January 5. Hours: from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Tourist Info Alcoy. Information and reservations at: www.qtmariola.com Price: 5€ (children under 6 free).
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Oldest Three Kings Parade
Along with the Three Kings Parade in Granada, it contends for being the oldest Three Kings parade in Spain. Since 1886, when a character called Uncle Píam roamed the streets with children singing carols waiting for the arrival of the Three Kings from the East.
You’ll find that for over 100 years, the Betlém del Tirisiti has been performed. Discover Alcoy with Tirisiti (Guiarte con arte):
- Friday: December 6 at 12 PM.
- Saturday: December 7, 14, 21, 28 at 11 AM and January 4 at 12 PM.
- Sunday: December 8, 15, 22, 29 at 11 AM and January 5 at 12 PM.
Tourist Info Alcoy. Information and reservations: www.guiarteconarte.es. Price: 5€
Castles
If you’re a fan of these historical buildings, we recommend visiting the fortifications of Barchell Castle, Na Valora and Naixa towers, and the Riquer and Sant Roc portals.
Natural environment and hiking
Font Roja Holm Oak Natural Park
The Font Roja Natural Park is a spectacular forest of holm oaks, pines, and yews. According to a plaque in the Sanctuary, Gabriel Miró said when passing through the Hell’s Ravine: “Fury of brambles and old, monstrous, tightly packed holm oaks, descend to the depths like a condemnation of souls from Dante’s dream”.
The Visitor Center and management office of the Font Roja Holm Oak Natural Park are located next to the Sanctuary and the Font Roja itself, about 8.5 km from Alcoy following the CV-797 road
La Carrasqueta
We will be able to climb to the Carrasqueta viewpoint, at more than 1,200 meters high.
Note: Inquire about the Preventori in the Sierra de Mariola, the Alt de les Pedreres, or the Ermita de San Cristobal.
We hope you enjoyed our article about the best places to see in Alcoy (Alicante). Enjoy all of the Costa Blanca, if it’s from our camping in Benidorm even better, and don’t forget to share.
