Castell de Castells
Encyclopedia
Castell de Castells is a small village high in the mountains of the Marina Alta
on the Costa Blanca
in southeastern Spain
. The village is at the source of the Rio Jalón
and surrounded by mountains. It is approximately 12 km from the nearest village of Benigembla
, and 20 km from Jalón, the nearest large town. It is approximately one hour's drive to the beaches, the Fuentes de Algar, and Terra Mítica
theme park. Also in the area are the caves of Vall d'Ebo and Benidoleig
.
The highest peak of the mountain range Serrella named malla de llop is over 1300 metres. The remains of an Arabic castle, Penya Castellet, and many trails are found in the area, popular for walking and mountain biking. The area has a rich history with three settlements around the village: Pla de Petracos, Bitlla and Pla d'Alt (The High Place). The ruins of these settlements are now being rebuilt as modern homes.
Five kilometres outside the village in the area known as Pla de Petracos are ancient cave paintings said to have been painted over 5000 years ago. Caves at the archaeological site have a viewing platform, and the paintings are explained on six interpretive panels.
Three kilometres outside the village is an enormous Natural arch
, Els Arcs.
Sawfly, Phrys tenthredinifera and Woodcock, Ophrys scolopax, also the Yellow Bee Orchid Ophrys lutea
, the very rare Orchis italica
, Fritillaria hispanica, and Dictamnus. Tulips include Tulipa australis.
Marina Alta
Marina Alta is a comarca in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain.- Municipalities :*Adsubia*Alcalalí*Beniarbeig*Benidoleig*Benigembla*Benimeli*Benissa*Benitachell/El Poble Nou de Benitatxell*Calp*Castell de Castells*Dénia...
on the Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca refers to the over 200 kilometres of coastline belonging to the province of Alicante in Spain. The name "Costa Blanca" was devised as a promotional name used by BEA when they launched their air service between London and Valencia in 1957. It has a well-developed tourism industry...
in southeastern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The village is at the source of the Rio Jalón
Jalón (river)
The river Jalón is located in the northeast of Spain, and is one of the principal tributaries of the Ebro. It has a length of and drains a watershed of . The flow rate in Calatayud is , but is highly irregular due to the great range of Mediterranean rainfall patterns.The course of the river forms...
and surrounded by mountains. It is approximately 12 km from the nearest village of Benigembla
Benigembla
Benigembla located in the Pop Valley within the district of Marina Alta in eastern Spain. The town is 314 meters above sea level. It is only 50 km away from Benidorm, 88 km from Alicante, 105 km from Valencia, and 23 km from Dénia...
, and 20 km from Jalón, the nearest large town. It is approximately one hour's drive to the beaches, the Fuentes de Algar, and Terra Mítica
Terra Mítica
Terra Mítica is a theme park located in Benidorm, Spain. The park is divided into 5 themed zones: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia, and the Islands . The park was opened in 2000.In 2004-2006 the park went through a bankruptcy process...
theme park. Also in the area are the caves of Vall d'Ebo and Benidoleig
Benidoleig
Benidoleig is a municipality in the comarca of Marina Alta in the Valencian Community, Spain.Benidoleig is located in the Girona Valley of the Marina Alta area in Spain's Costa Blanca...
.
The highest peak of the mountain range Serrella named malla de llop is over 1300 metres. The remains of an Arabic castle, Penya Castellet, and many trails are found in the area, popular for walking and mountain biking. The area has a rich history with three settlements around the village: Pla de Petracos, Bitlla and Pla d'Alt (The High Place). The ruins of these settlements are now being rebuilt as modern homes.
Five kilometres outside the village in the area known as Pla de Petracos are ancient cave paintings said to have been painted over 5000 years ago. Caves at the archaeological site have a viewing platform, and the paintings are explained on six interpretive panels.
Three kilometres outside the village is an enormous Natural arch
Natural arch
A natural arch or natural bridge is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath. Most natural arches form as a narrow ridge, walled by cliffs, become narrower from erosion, with a softer rock stratum under the cliff-forming stratum gradually eroding out until...
, Els Arcs.
Fiestas
- San Vicente Ferrer: Celebrated at Easter time.
- Week of Culture: This event will be held 18 July to 26 July 2010, with poetry readings at the Font d'la Bota, music concerts in the square performed by the village band "La Primitiva", traditional dancing with entertainment for young and old. Saturday 24 July is International Day in the village, with a variety of international events organised by the ex-pats living in and around the village.
- Santa Ana: The 26th of July is the day of Santa AnaSaint AnneSaint Hanna of David's house and line, was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ according to Christian and Islamic tradition. English Anne is derived from Greek rendering of her Hebrew name Hannah...
, patron saint of Castell de Castells. This is a day of great celebration in the village with a candlelit procession though the streets in the evening.
- Summer Fiesta: Starts on the 14th August, with one week of celebrations with events morning, noon and night. A typical Spanish fiesta is very noisy and tends to go on very late at night, so siestas are important in the afternoon, when it is extremely hot.
- Pla de Petracos: Saturday 11th and 12th. of September the village holds a great fiesta under the old trees in the ancient settlement of Petracos. Trees are lit with fairy lights, then music, food and dancing goes on through the night. On Sunday morning the Saint is carried from the village church to Petracos, about 5 km down the mountain. Mass is then held under the trees. Afterwards families gather for an aperitif before cooking their paellas in the open air and continuing with the weekend fiesta.
Flora and fauna
Plants and animals in the area include Narcissus assonanus, Narcissus dubious, Bee Orchids, Ophrys speculum, Venus' Mirror Orchid, Man Orchid, Aceras anthropophorum, Sombre Bee, Ophrys fuscaOphrys fusca
Ophrys fusca, commonly known as the Dark Bee Orchid, is a species of orchid native to the Mediterranean....
Sawfly, Phrys tenthredinifera and Woodcock, Ophrys scolopax, also the Yellow Bee Orchid Ophrys lutea
Ophrys lutea
Ophrys lutea, the Yellow Ophrys, is a species of orchid native to Europe-Description of the flower:Broad asymmetric lateral sepals, dorsal sepal lowered....
, the very rare Orchis italica
Orchis italica
Orchis italica is a species of orchid native to the Mediterranean....
, Fritillaria hispanica, and Dictamnus. Tulips include Tulipa australis.