Villena: Discover culture, history and nature

Villena brings together archaeological traces, protected buildings and attractions for a range of interests. Its history spans a settlement dating back around 3,500 years and collections documenting human settlement in the comarca through to the present day. There is also a former railway line adapted for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as wetland and steppe birds. When planning your trip, you can give different weight to culture, exercise and nature watching.

Castles, churches and historic buildings

Castillo de la Atalaya was built by the Almohad Empire at the end of the 12th century as a refuge for Villena’s Muslim population. The churches also represent different periods in the city’s history: Iglesia de Santa María was built in the 16th century on the site of Villena’s former main mosque and is protected as a Bien de Relevancia Local. Iglesia Arcedianal de Santiago was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. It is considered one of the most important Gothic-Renaissance examples in the Comunitat Valenciana, features twelve monumental spiral columns and is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Archaeology, museums and festivals

The Treasure of Villena is on display at the Museo de Villena (MUVI). It consists of 66 objects containing almost ten kilograms of gold and was buried 3,000 years ago. The museum documents human settlement in the comarca from prehistory, 50,000 years ago, to the present day through valuable exhibits. Cabezo Redondo is also home to a Bronze Age settlement dating back around 3,500 years. These sites and collections offer different ways to explore Villena’s past, from archaeological finds to an ancient settlement at its original location.

The Museo Festero is housed in a four-storey former bourgeois residence dating from the 19th century, with floors laid with Nolla ceramic tiles. Exhibits include costumes, festival images, posters, programmes and memorabilia from past celebrations. The Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos in Villena date back to the late 15th century, when the Virgen de las Virtudes was declared the city’s patron saint.

Teatro Chapí also brings together architectural history and culture. The present-day theatre opened in 1925; Neo-Mudéjar features can be seen on the side façades and around the stage house. It reopened to the public in April 1999 after renovation and is now considered one of the most important theatres in the Comunitat Valenciana. If you would also like to explore Villena’s connection with wine, there is another local distinction: Villena has the highest number of wineries in the entire province.

Routes and nature

Vía Ferrata Castillo Salvatierra is 115 metres long, has an elevation gain of 53 metres and is rated AD (somewhat difficult). Vía Verde del Chicharra, by contrast, is a disused railway line adapted for cyclists and pedestrians. It starts at Santuario de Las Virtudes and ends in Biar; from there, you can continue on to Alcoy. Railway heritage along the green route includes abandoned stations, aqueducts and spectacular bridges. The route also passes through a changing landscape. The two activities therefore differ considerably in the type of activity and the route features described. Check current access and safety conditions before using the via ferrata; conditions on the Vía Verde can also change.

Birdwatching is considered a sustainable, nature-friendly tourist activity in Villena. In the area of the former drained Laguna de Villena, a variety of wetland and steppe birds can be observed throughout the year. These include Kentish plovers, black-winged stilts, reed warblers, shrikes, short-toed larks, black-eared wheatears and bee-eaters. The opportunities to observe individual species vary by season. Protected areas in Villena are included in the European Union’s Natura 2000 network under four categories: ZEPA, LIC, flora micro-reserves and fauna reserves. The endemic, endangered fish known as Fartet has been reintroduced in the flora micro-reserve.

Plan your visit

Villena’s visitor service provides tourist information and sells tickets for municipal tourist attractions. Guided tours of Castillo de la Atalaya are available by prior reservation. Teatro Chapí offers guided tours for individuals and groups on one Sunday each month. To arrange a tour of the Museo Festero, you must make a reservation at Tourist Info Villena, located next to the museum. Reservation procedures and visiting times may change, so check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Tormos, La Torre de les Maçanes, Jijona, El Campello, El Ràfol d'Almúnia, Aigües, Guadalest, Jacarilla.

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