Discover Benissili

Benissili combines a striking location in the Vall de Gallinera with castle history, sacred architecture and paths to archaeological sites. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Benissili, these themes can help you choose your destination: the location details pinpoint the village, while its buildings and paths offer concrete points of connection for exploring its history.

Location and landscape

Benissili lies in the eastern part of the Vall de Gallinera at an altitude of about 400 metres and is the highest village in the valley. Alcalà Castle, usually called Benissili Castle, stands at the entrance to the valley from the interior, at an altitude of 784.7 metres. Benissili lies on an almost circular promontory. On its northern side, three ravines converge into a single ravine.

Castle and church

During al-Azraq’s first revolt, from 1247 to 1258, Benissili Castle was his residence. Its layout follows the usual pattern of a Muslim castle: an albacara is a large courtyard, and a celoquia is the citadel. Other features include the extensive grounds, the complex structure and natural defences.

The church of San Pascual Bailón offers a different architectural focus. Its single-nave interior has four bays and side chapels; the church also features a barrel vault, transverse arches and Corinthian pilasters. The castle and the church therefore offer different architectural topics: the castle is notable for its layout and defences, while the church stands out for the form of its nave and its architectural elements.

Paths to the castle and El Xarpolar

The 3.8-kilometre route to Benissili Castle and the Iberian settlement of El Xarpolar reaches an altitude of 890 metres and is rated moderate. It starts beside the former school in the upper part of Benissili and runs between centuries-old olive trees to the local road. It then follows a paved section to the fortress. Before reaching the archaeological sites, the route passes through a stand of large holm oaks and by terraces of cherry trees.

The distance, altitude and difficulty rating help you assess the walk. Route details may be adjusted by the local authorities, and surface conditions may change. Check the trail conditions before setting out. A side path climbs uphill from the spring to the higher slopes, where El Xarpolar is located at an altitude of 902 metres.

Historical traces in the village

Earlier uses of the land are also reflected in Benissili’s layout. Two surviving threshing floors are beside the cemetery; another was located by the spring and washhouse, where there is now a square. On the Route of the 8 Villages, the square with the spring is identified as a former threshing floor. The historic Camino Real entered Benissili from the north, ran along Calle Major and continued towards the road to Planes.

The Vall de Gallinera in its regional context

Cherry growing in the Vall de Gallinera is another point of reference: the valley’s early cherries are associated with a particular microclimate shaped by mild temperatures, proximity to the coast and the orientation of the mountains. This regional context complements the local themes of the castle, church and paths with an agricultural aspect of the Vall de Gallinera.

Discover more destinations: Aigües, Orxeta, Pinoso, Pilar De La Horadada, Portichol, Muro De Alcoy, Guardamar Del Segura, San Juan De Alicante.

For the broader travel overview: Alicante.