Address : Plaza del Portal, 1

Post code : 03720

Telephone : 965.73.00.58

Fax : 965.73.14.96

WEB: www.benissa.net

Email: turismo@benissa.net

Benissa is located on the windy coastal road between Valencia and Alicante, and has a white church similar to the churches painted by Constable. The Church called the ´Cathedral of the Marina Alta´ was constructed in the ´twenties by pious masons from Benissa who used their own physical strength and monetary contributions to build it. The church was consecrated during the ´Festival of St Peter the Apostle in 1929´ and measures 56 metres in length and 29 metres in width. It includes a magnificent altarpiece in honour of the venerable patron saint of the village, the Blessed Xiquet and a statue attributed to Juan de Juanes. When visiting the cathedral, the curious light shining through the roof onto the altar is not to be missed. Interesting walks can be taken through the village starting from the Ayuntamiento -the former Hospital for the Poor - where you can see the magnificent ´huerta´ and the beginning of the track used by the ancient ribereros (the workers who emigrated from Benissa to harvest rice on the Valencia coast). On the calle Purísima observe the iron grilles on the white houses bedecked with flowers - the town is reminiscent of Montilla and Albaicín in Granada. The streets of the town are mainly narrow and deserted, enabling a peaceful walk through the most interesting places in the town such as the Casa de la Cultura and the Lonja de Contratación (exchange building)- Benissa´s oldest building and the Museum of Ethnography. The medieval centre of Benissa is situated around the ancient prison, which today serves as a Casal de la Joventut (Youth Centre). The municipal district has not been re-developed on a large scale and its 4 km coastline still offers small quiet beaches. These include Fustera -a fine sandy beach with a range of services -, the Cala Pinets and L´ Advocat, which combines rocks and sand. Finally, the Cala Baladrar is a shingled beach. Marine excursions and water sports such as diving and fishing can all be enjoyed on these beaches.

Gastronomy: Arrós amb polp, coques al calfú (pizza-like pastries), Mullador de Pelelta, bull amb Salsa and Faba pelá.

Art: Wrought ironwork and woodwork.

Monuments: Medieval suburb, Franciscan convent, Lonja de Contratación (exchange building), Casa de Cultura, Ayuntamiento (town hall) and neo-gothic church.

Cultural Attractions: The church contains a small Diocesan Museum, the history of which Armando, the pleasant sacristan, will tell anyone interested in Benissa, In the former Lonja there is an Ethnographic Museum.

Name of Councillor: Francesc Xavier Estupiñá Pastor

Festivals and Events: Major fiestas are held in honour of the patron saint on the fourth Sunday in April. Moors and Christians pageants are held in honour of St Peter on the 29th of June. Other fiestas of note are the Fira i Porrat in honour of St Anthony in January, and the Carnival celebrations. In summer, Corpus Christi and other fiestas are held in the rural areas of Saint Ana and Benimarco.

Situation: Near Calpe and 6 km from the coast. It is easily accessible by train and road as the N-332 passes through it and there is an exit off the A-7 in Benissa. It is located 71 km from Alicante and 25 km from Benidorm.

Tour of the town: Cave painting on the Pinós road. Sierra de Bernia and visits to the hermitage.

Sports: Ifach Golf Club (96.649.71.14), Les Bassetes Yacht Club (96.583.12.13) and Horse-Riding Club.

Region : LA MARINA ALTA

Kilometres : 71

Altitude : 254

Number inhabitants 2006 : 12.424