Villajoyosa

Villajoyosa, or Vila Joiosa, which is Valencian means <<joyful town>>, is a small town situated at the mouth of the River Sella and is the chief town of the beautiful La Marina region. The ten kilometres which separate Villajoyosa from Benidorm are filled with olive, carob and almond trees, a few palms, pines and prickly pears. To a large extent, tomato plantations have replaced the vineyards.
Like all towns and villages of the Levante coastline, Villajoyosa, in former times, suffered regular attacks from Barbary Coast pirates. There was a particularly cruel attack on the 29th of July 1538. The story goes that the terrible Algerians came with 36 boats that fateful day, to attack the town, and that the inhabitants were able to fight them off thanks to the intercession of Saint Martha. Since that day she has been the patron saint of Vilajoyosa,and the historic events leading up to this are commemorated in the festivity of Moros y Cristianos, <<moors and Christians>>, with the re-enactment of the landing of the Moorish hosts, an event which has been declared of tourist interest.
King Alphons XII granted Villajoyosa city status in 1911. It is traditionally the home of fisher folk and chocolate makers, activities that have deep roots here. They are represented nowadays by the fishing tackle and the chocolate factories, this last product being a particular weakness of the local people.
The old part of the town has been declared an historic and artistic monument. Various bridges and the funerary monument of the San José Tower still remain from Roman times.
The ruins of the walls and the parish church are also interesting. The church is a Gothic building with Renaissance doorways, though somewhat disfigured by the neoclassical alterations carried out in the 18th centaury. Inside, the Baroque high altar contains paintings from the school of Juan de Juanes.
Villajoyosa also possesses a well-endowed Ethnological Museum, to be found in the Casa de Cultura.
The beaches are all so lovely that it is difficult to choose among them. The nearest to the town centre is Playa de la Vila. A little further away one comes to Paraí hso, a paradise, as its name indicates, and the Torre and Estudiantes Beaches. They are pebbly beaches, and the seaere isclean and calm. The secluded coves of the region, such as Bon Nou or the one at the Colonia Holandesa, sheltered from the north wind, are havens of peace and tranquillity.