Bocairent is a beautiful town in the province of Valencia located on a promontory of the Mariola mountain range, surrounding it. It also belongs to the region of Albaida Valley, which dominates from its almost seven hundred meters of altitude.
Although the area was inhabited since Neolithic, Bocairent was born as a town in muslim era, after the dissolution of the Caliphate of Córdoba and as a town of the Taifa of Denia. Later he went to Kingdom of Valencia and in 1418 it was recognized with the title of Royal Villa. Samples of its rich history have remained in its streets, which make up a beautiful town worthy of your visit. If you want to know Bocairent better, we encourage you to follow us.
What to see in Bocairent
It is surprising that a town of barely four thousand inhabitants can offer us so much rich monumental heritage. However, Bocairent is one of those towns that have no waste: in each of the corners of its municipal area we find something interesting. Let's see it.
The Medieval Quarter
With this name the old town of the Valencian town is known. Located in the upper part of it, it is a labyrinthine network of narrow and steep streets that twist to connect with each other. This historic center, which responds to arabic style, in turn houses several interesting monuments.
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
This is the case of the main Bocairent temple, which is located at the top of the Medieval Quarter. Built in the XNUMXth century on an old fortress, it responds to the aesthetic gothic, although later reforms adapted it to the style baroque. Inside you can see a processional cross from the XNUMXth century and a baptismal font from the same period, as well as works by Juan de Juanes y Joaquín Sorolla.
Other temples of Bocairent
Also in the old town are the hermitages of San Juan, the Mother of God of the Helpless and the Mother of God of August. The first of them is the oldest in the town as it was built in the XNUMXth century and inside you can see a beautiful baroque altar.
Hermitage of San Antonio
The second has elements renaissance although the date it was built is unknown. For its part, the hermitage of the Virgen de Agosto was built above the access door to the town so that those who entered Bocairent were protected by it. Also outside the town you will find several hermitages. Among them, that of San Antonio, With the holy Christ and of Saint James.
The Caves of the Moors
They are one of the greatest singularities of Bocairent. It is a set of caves or windows dug by man in the middle of a ravine. They were created in Muslim times, specifically around the XNUMXth century, first to save crops and later for defensive purposes.
These caves, in total some fiftyThey are communicated from the inside and you can currently access them by means of a staircase. However, walking through them is not entirely easy.
You will also find other caves of this type in Bocairent. Are the calls Covetes del Colomer, which are located in the historic center of the town and also house a Interpretation Center of these curious cavities.
Cava de Sant Blai snow well
This huge deposit, eleven meters deep and almost eight in diameter, was used as a snowfield, that is, to preserve the snow that fell in winter and then sell it in order to preserve food. It was excavated in the seventeenth century and you can see another snowfield in the monumental Cava of En Miquel.
The cave Monastery, another singularity of Bocairent
It dates from the XNUMXth century and its peculiarity is that it is a underground convent dug out of the rock. It served to house cloistered nuns. You will be surprised when you enter the chapel and see its sculpted ceiling in which moldings are simulated and its equally carved walls. From there, you can access other rooms to contemplate everything that was this cave monastery.
Caves of the Moors
Mariola Tower
Located at the top of the mountain range of the same name, it was built around the XNUMXth century under Islamic rule. It was one Vigilance tower and is cataloged as A Cultural. From there you have spectacular views of the Albaida Valley and very close, you have the recreational area of the source of Mariola.
The Hotel L'Ágora, a modernist building in Bocairent
This building in the Valencian town has a very different character than the previous ones, but it is also worth seeing. Because it is a beautiful eclectic construction that combines the Modernist and Neo-Mudejar styles. It is due to the architect Joaquin Aracil Aznar.
Bullring
Finally, we advise you to visit the Bocairent bullring. And this for two reasons: it was built in 1843 (it is the oldest in the Valencian Community) and it also has the peculiarity that it was dug out of the rock.
Bocairent museums
Bocairent is also surprised by the number of museums you can visit. Among them, the Parochial, of Trades and Customs or Antonio Ferry, an important painter linked to the town. But they stand out above the others Archaeological, with Neolithic pieces found in the Sarsa Cave and in other deposits, and the Festive, which offers you a journey through the history of the popular festival of Moors and Christians, with costumes, programs, musical scores and other objects.
Things to do in Bocairent
Along with all the above, you can do more things in the Levantine town. For example, go through any of the walking routes that pass through the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park or the one that follows the bank of the Clariano river, where you will see old hydraulic mills as well as a spectacular landscape.
As for the former, the Route of the Cavas and Montcabrer, both for its extension (almost forty kilometers) and for the natural wonders that it offers you. However, if you prefer the bicycle, you can travel the Xixarra Greenway, which follows the foothills of the Mariola mountain range and shows you various castles such as those of Villena and Banyeres.
Sierra de Mariola Natural Park
What to eat in Bocairent
We do not need to remind you of the fame of the Valencian gastronomy to which Bocairent belongs. Thus, they are very popular in the Levantine town Rice dishes, even as a filling for peppers. Also famous are game dishes, local mushrooms and pot, a stew of legumes, vegetables and different types of meat.
You can also taste in Bocairent dishes such as Mariola gazpacho, which carries small game meat; the erase, which is roughly prepared with cod and spinach, and the soup, similar to Madrid stew. Equally popular is the pericana, a powerful sauce made with olive oil, dried peppers and salted fish.
Regarding sweets, you can have some delicious ones carquinyols; the condoyat, which is a quince paste and a large assortment of pasta. What is almost obligatory to finish your meal is that you try the herbalist, a dry and sweet anise liqueur that is flavored with local herbs.
When is it better to go to the Valencian town
The Valencian town has a Continental weather, with large temperature differences between winter and summer. Thus, it is not difficult to find Bocairent snowed between the months of January and March. However, the summers are warm and with temperatures softened by the altitude at which the town is located. For its part, the rains occur mainly from January to April.
Bocairent Town Hall Square
Therefore, the best times for you to visit Bocairent are the spring and summer. In this last season, specifically in the month of August, the Saint Augustine festivities. However, if you want to attend the Moors and Christians, which we have already mentioned, you should know that they are celebrated on the first Friday of February.
How to get to Bocairent
The only public transport that takes you to the Valencian town is the bus. There are several lines from Ontiyent, but only two a day from Valencia (one on Saturdays). Therefore, it is better that you go in your own vehicle, although parking is not easy. To get to Bocairent, the road you must take is the A-7 to deviate later by the CV-81.
In conclusion, Bocairent is a beautiful town located at the south of the province of Valencia who has managed to preserve all his medieval charm. Narrow and steep streets, monuments and wonderful views of the Albaida Valley await you in the Levantine town. Don't you dare to meet her?