AT THE FOOT OF THE MONTGÓ

The Montgó
In the 19th century, the peak of the Montgó mountain served as a reference point for calculating the Paris meridian. At the foot of this mountain today lies a bustling tourist centre grown up around an ancient farming community, with deeply rooted customs and traditions. Beautiful and rugged scenery abounds. The Cova Tallada (cut cave) in Las Rotas lies close to the Gerro watchtower and is partially hidden by the sea. This is an ancient quarry for rough stone which was used for building purposes throughout the district. The Montgó mountain is an important nature park that offers visitors a range of interesting varieties of Mediterranean flora.

THE SLEEPING TORTOISE
The Montgó mountain looks like a giant turtle asleep in the summer sun, with feet and head hidden under its heavy shell. It is elongated, rich in vegetation and rises sharply from the sea to guard the coast from a height of 753 metres. This peak surveys the entire Marina Alta district. On a clear day a brave climber on the summit can see the island of Ibiza far out to sea.

DÉNIA

LIVING THE SEA LIFE
named after the goddess Diana
When the Romans arrived here, they dedicated their settlement to the hunting goddess Diana, initiating the growth of what would much later become a highly active port on the eastern Spanish coast. Huge quantities of raisins were exported from here in the past. The Moorish castle, rooted on a nearby hill, preserves noteworthy historic remains which are all illustrated by displays at the town's Archeological Museum, open to the public in the Palacio del Gobernador. The 18th century Church of the Assumption stands out for its highly representative Renaissance and Baroque altarpieces (retablos). The town hall, or Ayuntamiento, gives visitors a glimpse into the past - built into its attractive façade are two Roman memorial tablets recovered from the ancient temple of Diana.

SALT WATER
The cosmopolitan avenue of Marqués de Campo, lined with immense plane trees, is the stage where Moors and Christians feasts are held in mid-August, but a few metres down the street is the fishermen's quarter, a popular haunt for the people who like to see and be seen. The shore has a harbour for fishing boats, a marina for sailboats and yachts. It also has beaches for swimming and sunbathing. To the north lie Las Marinas, Les Deveses, Les Bovetes and Almadrava. The south coast is rocky, with cliffs and a charming seafront footpath through Las Rotas. Dénia is a small-scale Mediterranean trading port with sea links to the Balearics and a yacht club with moorings. One of the quays is the scene of the popular bullbaiting festivities in August (bous a la mar), listed as a national tourist attraction.

NATURE
The municipal area of Dénia has countless housing estates and residential areas, usually one or two storeys high, painted white with clay-coloured roofing tiles, often with the typical riu-rau architecture featuring arched porches. Because of their excellent location and charm, they are highly popular as resorts and residences for people from abroad. The inland route from Denia to Jávea, crossing the areas of Las Rotas and the San Antonio cape, also has homes built on the mountain slopes. The most convenient access to the Montgó nature park is also located along this road, which makes a steep ascent only to drop down again near Jávea. The San Antonio cape, with an altitude of 163 metres, gives a breathtaking panoramic view.

SIGHTS
Castle, Church of the Assumption, Church of San Antonio.
Ataranzas (shipyards), Town Hall, Chapels of the Reconquest (Sant Joan, Pare Pere, Santa Paula and Santa Lucía).

MUSEUMS
Municipal Archeology Museum, 96 642 06 56;
Ethnology Museum, 96 642 02 60.

FIESTAS
In March, Fallas; in June, St John's bonfires; in July, Patron St festivities with quayside bullbaiting; in August, Moors and Christians.

THE CRADLE OF BASKETRY
Gata de Gorgos is an important production centre for basketry, wickerwork and furniture and objects in rush, cane and bamboo. It also grows muscatel grapes and almonds. The national route runs through the town, which is replete with shops selling bags, chairs, boxes, carpets and everything imaginable in wickerwork. Visiting is a must, buying a temptation.

SIGHTS
Chapel of the Santísimo Cristo; Parochial Church of San Miguel Arcángel.

FIESTAS
Festivity of the 3 Kings of Orient, Jan. 6th;; High feast honouring the Most Holy Christ of the Calvary, end of July to Aug. 6th.

Descending the winding coastal route from the towering Montgó mountain to the north, Jávea opens up before us on a broad plain. As protection against pirate attacks in the past, its town centre has always been hidden away inland, a strenuous walk from the seashore. It developed around the Fortress-Church of St. Bartholomew. Until the 19th century, the townsfolk saw no reason to expand the town towards the port. Today this has changed completely, as it now has a highly attractive beachfront area. The town church is Isabelline in style, with a single nave and chapels ensconced between the buttresses. The historic centre has an Archeology and Ethnology Museum that illustrates the evolution of this coastal resort.

SEAWARD BOUND
Located in the port zone is a modern church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, imitating a ship's keel. On July 16th the fiestas of Our Lady of Mt Carmel are held.

On the last weekend in July, the Moors and Christians festivity is staged, during which the two contingents disembark and fight a mock battle in the port. For swimming and sunbathing, the sandy El Arenal beach is popular. From El Arenal northwards to the port, there is a long rocky shore.

FROM CAPE TO CAPE
The coastal route from the Cape of La Nao to the Granadella cove is an authentic paradise for scuba diving aficionados. Along the way lies the island of Portixol, where tradition says there were iron mines praised by the Greek historian Strabo in his description of the area as "promontorium Ferrarium". The lighthouse on the cape of La Nao is set in scenic landscape.

SIGHTS
Fortress-Church of St Bartholomew.
Church of Our Lady of Loreto.
Monastery of Our Lady of The Angels.

MUSEUMS
Municipal Archeology and Ethnology Museum, 96 579 10 98

FIESTAS
In June, St. John's Bonfires; 2nd fortnight of July, Moors and Christians; early Sept, feasts honouring Our Lady of Loreto, In Dec., Santa Lucía.

DÉNIA
A banda style rice, fresh fish, the llandeta fish stew, and suquet de peix.

JÁVEA
Rice dishes (beans & turnip); Fisherman's paella, fisherman's seafood pot, almond pastissets.

DÉNIA
Approximately 100km from Alicante and Valencia, via the N-332 and the A-7 motorway (junction 62).
Bus and rail connections.
Sea links to Ibiza and Formentera.

XÀBIA
About 90km from Alicante and 105km from Valencia, via the A-7 motorway (junctions 62 and 63) and the N-332 via Gata de Gorgos and then the A-142 to Jávea.
Daily bus connections to Valencia and Alicante.

GATA DE GORGOS
85km from Alicante and 100km from Valencia, via the N-332. Rail connections to Dénia and Alicante.
Bus connections to Alicante and Valencia