Les Alqueries: Heritage and Orange Groves
Accommodation in Les Alqueries
Les Alqueries combines a completely flat landscape shaped by orange cultivation with historic buildings and places of remembrance. If you are looking for a hotel in Les Alqueries, you can choose your destination based on whether you are particularly interested in local history, architecture or a hike in the surrounding area. The sights tell stories of different periods and give the town several cultural facets.
Towers, churches and historic buildings
La Regenta is a protected cultural landmark. The Torre de la Regenta has a rectangular floor plan and stands 11.2 metres tall. Its features include loopholes, a ground floor with a barrel vault and battlements. The very old defensive tower was later incorporated into an agricultural residential complex. It is located on the CamĂ de la Ratlla, near Vila-real, within an enclosed area. The tower is privately owned and used for agricultural purposes. Check whether a visit is possible before you set out.
El Replà , a municipal heritage complex, lies near the town centre. The ensemble includes the Iglesia Vella del Replà , La Casona del Replà and El Aljibe del Replà . One building in the ensemble dates from the 16th century and was extensively remodelled in the mid-19th century. The parish church of Nuestra Señora del Niño Perdido is classified as a “Bien de Relevancia Local” (Asset of Local Significance). Les Alqueries therefore has both a historic complex and a church with a local heritage classification, representing different aspects of its architectural history.
There are historical points of interest beyond these buildings, too: the Torrasa contains Iberian remains, and there are numerous Muslim remains in Les Alqueries. There are historical points of interest beyond these buildings, too: the Torrasa contains Iberian remains, and there are numerous Muslim remains in Les Alqueries. A Roman bridge is associated with the Riu Sec. These remains point to different historical layers, which cannot all be brought together in a single place.
Orange groves, townscape and a hike
The landscape of Les Alqueries is completely flat and characterised by orange cultivation, numerous alquerĂas and country houses. The town developed from a group of alquerĂas—agricultural farmsteads—that were dependent on Vila-real. This origin connects the town’s history with agriculture, which also shapes the landscape.
A walk through the town reveals interesting houses in the Modernist style. A distinctive building from the 1930s is La Palmera, a former school. The town hall is also housed in a notable building: it is located in the Chalé de Safont, which combines Modernist and Neoclassical architecture. The houses, former school and town hall offer different ways to explore the townscape.
For a hike, an easy, almost level path near Les Alqueries runs through orange groves to the Muntanyeta de Sant Antoni in BetxĂ. The destination is therefore in BetxĂ. The route combines the flat landscape with a walk through the orange groves, setting it apart from the buildings and historical points of interest in the town.
Festivals and local remembrance
A monolith commemorates the independence of Les Alqueries. In June, the Fiesta de la Segregación also marks the occasion. If you are interested in this topic, the monument offers a connection to the town’s history, while the fiesta provides another form of commemoration.
The 2024 patron saint festivities were held in honour of the Virgen del Niño Perdido. Their programme included a bull event featuring eight bulls, as well as a daily running of the bulls in the bullring. The traditional Calderas meal was also part of the 2024 festivities. If you are planning a trip for the patron saint festivities, check the programme for your dates.
Discover more destinations: CatĂ, Espadilla, Coll D'ares, Cabanes, Borriol, Barracas, Puebla De Arenoso, Eslida.
For the wider travel overview: Castellon.
