Culture

​​​​From the Moorish influence, castles and archaeology to the literary and artistic legacies of Azorin and Eusebio Sempere and the uniqueness of the Misteri d'Elx


Travelling is about learningand the Costa Blanca is very good at showing off its history, art, festivals and heritage as an important part of its culture. It enables visitors to learn about the history of a province that has been influenced by many different cultures, from the prehistoric period, seen in traces such as the cave paintings of del Pla de Petracos, to the Iberian and Roman periods, represented by the archaeological sites of Lucentum in Alicante and La Alcudia in Elche, as well as the undeniable Moorish legacy, seen in the impressive route of the castles, with over one hundred fortresses, most of which have been declared Sites of Cultural Interest. The archaeological site of Rábita de Guardamar is the only building of this style that still remains.

 

The choice of museums is huge and includes the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ), of international importance; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Alicante, which displays the personal collection which Eusebio Sempere donated to the city, the municipal works by the artist of Onil and the Caja Mediterraneo collection; the Historic House Museum of Azorín de Monóvar, which displays the writer's personal and literary legacy, as well as the Modernist House in Novelda and the Sanctuary of Mary Magdalene, two examples of great architectural and decorative impact.

 

The region's cultural diversity is represented by three world heritage sites: El Misteri d'Elx, a unique representation of medieval origin; the Palmeral de Elche, containing over 200,000 palm trees; and the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin, which includes important cave paintings located in l'Alcoià, El Comtat, the Marina Alta and the Marina Baixa.

The Costa Blanca also has some of the most authentic old towns in Spain, such as the Barrio de Santa Cruz in Alicante, where its whitewashed houses reflect the Mediterranean sun, and the old towns of Elche, Jávea, Dénia, Benissa, Teulada and Biar. The region's rich heritage has also been made worthy of a number of Sites of Cultural Interest, such as Orihuela, Alcoy, Cocentaina, El Castell de Guadalest, Tabarca, Villajoyosa and Villena.

 

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