Montesa
It lies 13 km from Xativa, the capital of the administrative region, and 70 km from Valencia. The River Canyoles runs along the Serra Grossa range. The highest peaks are La Solana (694 m), La Ferradura (676 m) and Tossal dels Polsos (684 m). It has a population of about 1,370 inhabitants and is situated at an altitude of 340m above the sea.
Gastronomy:
Montesa’s cuisine is typical of the area, based primarily on the “arrós al forn” (baked rice) and “arrós fesols i amb naps” (rice with beans and turnip)
Places of interest:
The Castle-Convent of the Order of Saint Mary of Montesa, of Muslim origin and declared a National Monument in 1926, is undoubtedly the most significant tourist attraction. Affected by the earthquake of 1748, only a few of the rooms remain of what was the Holy and Royal Convent of the Order of Saint Mary of Montesa and Saint George of Alfama.
It also stands out for its monuments:
– The parish church of the Assumption and its museum
– The hermitage of the Calvary
– The hermitage of the Holy Cross
– la Casa de la Vila
– The hermitage of Saint Sebastian.
It also offers interesting landscapes, such as La Fos Ravine and La Font Santa Ravine.
Festivities:
The bonfires of Saint Sebastian are held on the Saturday nearest to the saint’s day (20th January). A bonfire is burned in the village square in the presence of many of the villagers.
The main festivities are celebrated between the last Friday of August and the first Monday in September. Religious celebrations, processions, bull-running, fireworks, fancy-dress dances and other events all enable visitors to discover Montesa and its history.
Moors and Christians festivities are celebrated in October. Over the years, this festivity has grown and, today, it includes spectacular entrance of Moors and Christians into the village.
