Penàguila between garden art and medieval heritage

Explore Penàguila through its medieval heritage, the Jardín de Santos, local cuisine and a range of routes. This gives you different interests to choose from when planning your visit: culture, gardens and outdoor activities. The specific route lengths and difficulty ratings make it easier to compare the two circular routes.

Gardens and hiking trails

The Jardín de Santos was laid out in 1841 by Joaquín Rico y Soler. Large trees surround the garden. It includes a three-storey neoclassical pavilion and a large rectangular pond, as well as woodland, an aviary, statues, a lookout point, a stalactite cave and a hedge maze. The garden’s different features create a varied landscape: architecture, water, green spaces and landscaped forms come together here.

The Penàguila–Arco de Santa Lucía–Castillo de Penáguila–Penàguila circular hike is about 7 km long and is rated moderate to challenging. For comparison, the Penàguila–Font de L'Arbre–Penàguila circular route is about 28 km long and has a moderate difficulty rating. The routes therefore differ in both approximate length and rating. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The phytoclimatic route at the Barranco de Aladrach starts at the cypress avenue just outside Penàguila and runs along the shaded side of the ravine. The rock shelters offer another way to explore the surroundings: the Abric del Port de Penàguila is one of seven local shelters and one of two with protective grilles that are considered more accessible, depending on trail maintenance.

The short, vertical Barranco del Salt de Penàguila lies near Penàguila. It is about 70 metres high and is descended in four rappelling sections. Use qualified operators for this activity and check conditions in advance.

Medieval quarter and historic buildings

The medieval quarter of Penàguila was established in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, following the carta puebla granted by King Peter III of Aragon in 1278. Its rectangular layout reflects the military architecture of the time. A wall once surrounded the entire quarter; remains of it are still visible.

The Portalet is a well-preserved gateway to the medieval quarter. Its right-angle layout served security and control purposes. Torre Vernet is the quarter’s only freestanding tower. It is partly preserved and has been consolidated and restored; a surviving section of wall can be seen beside it. These buildings illustrate different aspects of the historic quarter: its entrance, fortifications and surviving individual structures.

The Castillo de Penàguila is designated a BIC (a Cultural Asset of Interest) and is considered a building from the 12th-century Almohad period. South of Penàguila, on the mountainside, stands the Ermita de los Santos Médicos Cosme y Damián. It belongs to Valencian Gothic architecture and is a so-called Reconquista hermitage dating from the 13th to 15th centuries.

Culture, traditions and cuisine

Between 13 and 29 December, a solar alignment can be observed at the Arco de Santa Llúcia: the sun’s disc passes through the arch for about five minutes. The viewing point varies from day to day. Check the viewing conditions and use solar filters.

The Museo Etnológico de Penàguila shows the traditional process of producing olive oil. Historical equipment on display includes millstones, presses, a mixer, esparto-grass baskets and settling tanks. Check the museum’s visiting arrangements before your trip. The two-day Feria de Santa Lucia is a visitor fair featuring local and handmade products; its programme includes traditional dances, dulzaina music and performances by the Sociedad Musical Cultural de Penàguila. For a specific trip, it is advisable to check the programme for the current year. Traditional dishes from Penàguila include Pericana, Arroz con conejo, Pebreretes Farçides, Olleta and Borreta.

Discover more destinations: Almoradí, La Murada, Parcent, La Encina, Benidoleig, El Chaparral, Muro De Alcoy, Alfafara

For the main travel overview: Alicante.