Get to know Bigastro through its landscape, a clearly laid-out route and a range of local cultural traditions. The Ruta Alquibla links La Pedrera, the town centre and the traditional Huerta. The area also features historic sites, religious festivals and local music events.
Ruta Alquibla and the landscape
The Ruta Alquibla is 9 kilometres long and divided into three sections: La Pedrera, the town centre and the traditional Huerta. It is also part of the Camino del Sureste on the Way of St James. When planning your time, it is helpful to distinguish between the full route and its section in La Pedrera: this section is 2.7 kilometres long, rated easy and takes 40 minutes. This duration applies to the section, not the entire Ruta Alquibla.
The traditional Huerta is considered a historic, cultural, natural and agricultural heritage site. It is shaped by a very old rural tradition and a traditional irrigation system dating back to the Islamic period. The Huerta Tradicional area includes organic gardens and a viewpoint with panoramic views of the Huerta and nearby towns.
Vegetation characteristic of semi-arid climates grows on La Loma Ancha. There are clear differences between the sun-facing and shaded slopes. This landscape, away from the town centre, provides animals with a peaceful habitat. La Loma Ancha is also home to an archaeological site: preserved pottery fragments are displayed in various museums in the Vega Baja; remains of the walls of former rectangular houses have also been identified.
Church, history and local culture
The Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de Belén dates from the first quarter of the 18th century and is designated a Bien de Relevancia Local. The church houses an 18th-century sculpture of Saint Joachim, created by Valencian sculptor Felipe Andreu. Another local monument commemorates Maestro Manuel Moya Pomares: it stands on the central street named after him.
The Sociedad Unión Musical de Bigastro dates back to 1918. Its regular concert programme includes a Christmas concert, a New Year’s concert, a members’ concert and a concert for Santa Cecilia. The Bigastro Municipal Historical Archive organises exhibitions, publishes works and offers conferences and guided tours.
Festivals and recurring events
The Procesión del Encuentro takes place on Domingo de Gloria. Two processional groups set off from the church in opposite directions and then meet. The encounter represents the Virgin meeting her son. The Fiestas de la Cruz in the La Cruz neighbourhood focus on local tradition. They are celebrated on the weekend of 5 and 6 May, and the associated cross is currently decorated with carnations.
The Fiestas patronales in honour of San Joaquín take place from 5 to 17 August. The programme includes Comparsa parades, a procession, children’s parades and a floral offering; the annual programme may vary. On Corpus Christi, a procession winds through the streets. The streets and façades are decorated, and a monumental carpet of flower petals is created in the square in front of the church. The Romería de San Isidro goes from the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Belén to a hermitage in the La Pedrera recreational area. The annual arrangements for these events may vary.
Accommodation and getting around
La Pedrera has rural accommodation in wooden cabins, a camping area, picnic spots, barbecue areas, children’s play areas, swimming pools, sports facilities and motorhome pitches. The listed facilities may change over time, so check individual offerings before making your plans.
Parque Huerto del Cura offers a place to relax and occasionally hosts events such as open-air concerts. The concert programme may change. Bigastro Tourist Info is located in the town hall at Plaza de la Constitución 1. Municipal transport information lists bus stops on the CV-95 next to Muebles MEM and beside the Vega Rapid workshop. As transport routes and stop arrangements may change, check the information before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Benijófar, Pedreguer, Canyades d'en Cirus, Benimassot, Alfafara, Orxeta, Callosa De Segura, El Bacarot.
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