Guadalest

GUADALEST
Passing through Confrides, we come to Benifato, a small village set in the rocks of the impressive mountains of the sierra de Aitana, completely surrounded by extensivepinewoods. One can immediately tell that this as originally an Arab settlement by the layout of the urban centre, the type of houses and the traditions of the village.
Near Benifato is Benimantell, whose steep, narrow, streets are full of local colour. Ascending from the terraced fields, or descending the main road, the main streets of the village converge on the square where the parish church stands. Benimantell is well known for the excellence of its olive oil. One also breathes an Arab air in the village of Beniarda. This village, situated on the edge of huge rocks, is surrounded by wonderful scenery. Here we can taste the delicious waters of the Font Vella spring, and visit a number of interesting caves, the Escaleta, Puchar and Chimenea Caves, to name but a few.
Guadalest is a village protected by fortifications of gigantic stones. It stands in on a rock in the foothills of the Sierra de Aitana, and from this natural fortress there are the most tremendous views. The countryside one can see from here extends from the Aitana and Bernia mountain ranges to Mount Serrella further down, and, on the edge of the horizon, the smooth surface of the Mediterranean. The village is only accessible through the Portal de San José a 15-metre long tunnel that was bored into the rock.
The castle here was built on the rock by the Arabs and stormed in the mid-13th century by the troops of James I of Aragon. He gave it to Vidal de Sarria, Lord de Callosa, and it was part of his fief until 1335, when it became part of the lands of the crown, belonging to Pedro of Aragon. At the end of the 16th century, Philip II decreed that the village and the larger fortress, San Jose, should continue under his control, whilst the smaller fortress, Alcosayba, he conceded to the Marquis of Guadalest. The fortress survived one violent earthquake on June 22, 1644, and another equally stong in 1748. It also suffered damage in the war of Succesion, when the west side was partially destroyed by explosives in 1708.