Rafol de Salem
The village is located in the northern foothills of the Sierra del Benicadell range. The municipality covers a small area.
The climate is Mediterranean, with slight continental characteristics.
Gastronomy:
Notable dishes include Valencian rice, such as “arròs al forn” (baked rice), different verities of paella, and “arròs amb fesols i naps” (rice with beans and turnips). Typical sweets include sweet potato cakes, biscuits, “coques en llanda” and “carquinyols”.
Places of interest:
“El Moli de Baix” is an ideal location in which to discover how the old water mills functioned. It has a small hostel.
“La ruta del Benicadell” trail, which starts in “El camí del Calvari” and ascends to the Hermitage of Saint Blaise (age unknown). It leads to the Iberian settlement of “El Corral” and the pine forests of “El Racó” and “Barranc del Fuester”, as the peak of the Benicadell.
The village’s monuments include the 18th century neoclassical Church of Our Lady of the Angels.
Festivities:
3rd February: Festivities of Saint Blaise, with the celebration of a “Porrat” (held in honour of the saint). During the previous weekend, the miracle of the discovery of the saint is represented, followed by the pilgrimage down from the hermitage to the village.
From 20th to 23rd September: festivities dedicated to the Miracle of the Divine Saviour, Saint Thomas and the Virgin. The days end with open-air paellas, accompanied by a dance and the original “carrera dels cresols”.
Telf.: 962813072 (Ayto.)
