Bigastro: Ruta Alquibla, Huerta and Culture
Accommodation in Bigastro
Bigastro can be explored through a range of themes: the Ruta Alquibla passes through La Pedrera, the town centre and the traditional Huerta; there are also historic sites and recurring festivals. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the landscape, the culture or a particular event date.
Ruta Alquibla and Huerta Tradicional
The Ruta Alquibla is nine kilometres long and divided into three sections: La Pedrera, the town centre and the traditional Huerta. It is also part of the Camino del Sureste, a route on the Way of St James. For specific planning, the La Pedrera section offers a useful reference point: it is listed as 2.7 kilometres long, with a low difficulty level and an estimated duration of 40 minutes. La Pedrera is suitable for hiking.
The Huerta Tradicional is more than just a scenic section of the route. Its ancient rural tradition and traditional irrigation system dating back to Islamic times contribute to its historical, cultural, natural and agricultural value. The Huerta Tradicional area has organic gardens and a viewpoint. From there, panoramic views stretch across the Huerta and nearby towns.
La Pedrera also offers rural accommodation in wooden cabins, a camping area, picnic spots, barbecue facilities, children’s play areas, swimming pools, sports facilities and motorhome pitches. These amenities provide a variety of accommodation and leisure options. As individual facilities may change, it is advisable to check any details relevant to your plans in advance.
Landscape and archaeological traces
La Loma Ancha is home to vegetation characteristic of semi-arid climates. Its sun-facing slopes differ markedly from the shaded ones. The landscape lies away from the town centre and provides a quiet habitat for animals. The Ruta Alquibla and its surroundings therefore bring together two distinct landscape features: the traditionally irrigated Huerta and the vegetation of the semi-arid slopes.
La Loma Ancha is also home to an archaeological site. Pottery fragments found there are displayed in various museums in the Vega Baja; remains of the walls of former rectangular houses have also been identified. Parque Huerto del Cura offers a place to rest. Events such as open-air concerts are occasionally held there; the concert programme may change.
Church, music and local history
The Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de BelĂ©n is classified as a Bien de Relevancia Local and dates from the first quarter of the 18th century. The church houses an 18th-century sculpture of Saint Joachim by Valencian sculptor Felipe Andreu. The name San JoaquĂn also appears in Bigastro’s festival calendar.
The Bigastro Municipal Historical Archive holds exhibitions, publishes works, and offers conferences and guided tours. The Sociedad Unión Musical de Bigastro dates back to 1918. Its regular concert programme includes a Christmas concert, a New Year’s concert, a members’ concert and a concert for Santa Cecilia. Another local memorial is the monument to Maestro Manuel Moya Pomares on the central street named after him.
Festivals and their dates
The fiestas patronales in honour of San JoaquĂn take place from 5 to 17 August. The programme includes Comparsa parades, a procession, children’s parades and a floral offering. The programme may vary from year to year. Corpus Christi is also marked by a procession through the streets: streets and façades are decorated, and a monumental carpet of flower petals is created in the square in front of the church. The annual events may change.
The ProcesiĂłn del Encuentro takes place on Domingo de Gloria. Two processional groups set out from the temple in opposite directions and then meet. They enact the meeting of the Virgin with her son. The Fiestas de la Cruz are celebrated in the La Cruz neighbourhood on the weekend of 5 and 6 May; the associated cross is decorated with carnations. During the RomerĂa de San Isidro, the route runs from the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de BelĂ©n to a hermitage in the La Pedrera recreation area. Check the dates and details of each event for your trip, as they may change from year to year.
Getting around
Bigastro Tourist Info is located in the town hall at Plaza de la ConstituciĂłn 1. Municipal transport information lists bus stops on the CV-95 road next to Muebles MEM and next to the Vega Rapid workshop. As routes and stops may change, check the information before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Beneixama, TĂ rbena, Algorfa, La Encina, XalĂł, El FondĂł De Les Neus, Rojales, Javea.
View the broader travel guide: Alicante.
