El Puig de Santa María

El Puig de Santa Maria is located 14 Km from the city of Valencia, in the administrative region of l’Horta Nord. It sits on a hill, and in fact that is where its name comes from, since “puig” in Valencian means hill or mountain. Its municipality stretches from the mountains of Cabeç Bord and Serra Llarga, in the foothills of the Sierra Calderona range, to the blue, open landscape, of the Mediterranean Sea. Mention may be made of the great scenic and ecological value of the local agricultural land and wetlands.

Gastronomy:

Virtually all the locals are able to make the typical traditional dish, paella. On Saint Peter’s Day it is traditional to make “arros amb fessols i naps” (rice with beans and turnips), which can be enjoyed in the local restaurants (when reserved in advance). As in the rest of the area, other popular dishes include a variety of stews based on rice with locally-produced vegetables (“arròs a band” (rice with fish stock), “pan amb carn” (rice with meat), “arròs al forn” (baked rice)).

The local sweets include sweet potato cakes, almond cakes, “encaratas”, “pilota de ametla”, “coca cristina”, “coca de almendra”, “coca boba” and “coca en llanda”. The gastronomic events organized during spring offer the possibility to discover the rich and varied local cuisine.

Places of interest:

The municipality includes monuments of great interest, including the Royal Monastery of El Puig de Santa María, which has been declared a National Historical – Artistic Monument, and the Printing and Graphic Arts Museum. The Carthusian monastery of Ara Christi, declared a Cultural Monument, the Hermitage of Saint George and the Hermitage of Saint Barbara. “La Patá” Castle and the watchtower on the beach.

El Puig has 4 kilometres of coastline, alternating wide sands with stony beaches. There is a 1 km seafront promenade to the south, which connects to La Pobla de Farnals marina.

All the beaches are equipped with sanitary, recreational sports and children’s facilities, as well as Supervision and Health Service during the summer months. Play-Puig Beach has a “Point of Accessibility”, which has special equipment adapted to persons with reduced mobility.

Festivities:

Saint Peter Nolasco (last Sunday in January): accompanied by the preparation of the typical dish “arròs amb fessols i naps” (rice with beans with turnips), which is offered to all the visitors.

– Saint Anthony the Abbott (second Sunday in February): the patron saint of animals, which includes the blessing of local pets by the priest. In March, coinciding with the end of winter, the “Fallas” festivities are held.

– Saint Roche festivities, held from 15th to 17th August, although in practice they extend throughout the entire month. Mention may also be made of the bull festivities and the popular chants known as “Albades”.

– Festivities of Our Lady of El Puig (held on the first Sunday and Monday in September): events include musical shows, “mascletás” and fireworks and, of course, processions.

– Day of the Valencia Region (9th October): a traditional lunch is held at the Hermitage of Saint George.