Orihuela (Alicante)

What you can do and see in Orihuela

The splendour of its orchards and its geographic location made Orihuela a coveted town in the Middle Ages. Its greatest moment arrived in the 8th century, with the arrival of Arabs and Berbers, when it became the capital of La Cora or the Province of Tudmir.  Their rule ended five centuries later when it was conquered by King James I in 1265.

From the Islamic age (and from the times of El Cid) is the castle on a hill, around which the town has grown. Orihuela Castle is in ruins, and it is not easy to reach, but going up to the castle is also a way to mark symbolically the start or end of your journey on the Way of El Cid.

Protected by the city walls, in the 16th and 17th centuries it was the residence of many nobles who left their traces in the numerous civil and religious buildings that make Orihuela a monumental town and justify its designation as a historical-artistic centre. The Cathedral of the Saviour and St Mary, the Church of the Saints Justa and Rufina, and the parish church of Santiago el Mayor preserve interesting examples of their Gothic past that any art-lover will appreciate.

Other buildings, like the College of Santo Domingo, in a Renaissance style, underscore the monumental scale of the town. Orihuela enjoys a long university tradition. The College of Santo Domingo was home to the university from 1610 to 1824. There are currently three universities in the municipality.

Located at the foot of Mt. San Miguel, in the Segura valley, it’s an ideal place for excursions through the Sierra de Orihuela range, of great ecological value, or through the palm tree forest at the foot of the hill, which dates back to the Islamic period.

You should not miss

• Miguel Hernández was one of the great 20th century Spanish poets. His life and his verses can still move us. You can visit his house in Orihuela; turned into a museum, it is devoted to preserving his remembrance. For more information, click here.
• Orihuela Holy Week is designated a Festival of International Tourist Interest.
• The beaches. Somewhat distant from the town, at about 30km away, they are a place for a break at any time of the year. Cabo Roig Tower, next to the beach of the same name, is one of the numerous watchtowers that were built along the Mediterranean coast to give warning of the arrival of Berber pirates.

Rev.: JGG 21.09.21