Those choosing Alaquas for a cultural stay will find two architectural highlights in Castell d'Alaquàs and Iglesia de la Asunción, which are also connected historically. This perspective is complemented by a cultural route along irrigation channels, a theatrical tour of old street names, and festival and music traditions. For planning your trip, this offers distinct thematic ways to explore architectural history, water-related cultural heritage and living traditions.

Castell and Iglesia: a connected architectural history

Castell d'Alaquàs has a square floor plan with a central courtyard and four corner towers with battlements. The courtyard is in the centre, and the towers occupy the four corners. The Castell was declared a historic-artistic monument on 21 April 1918; on 1 December 1999, it was designated a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). Since 2003, it has been used as a cultural and educational venue, hosting exhibitions and conferences, among other things. A guided tour lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and includes admission to the Castell. Check the availability of this tour before your trip.

Iglesia de la Asunción is located in Plaza de la Iglesia and is a 16th-century religious building. It is classified as a Local Heritage Site (Bien de Relevancia Local) and is designed in the Churrigueresque style. Its nave has a single aisle; the church has no dome and two entrance doors. The two buildings are also functionally connected: an outer and an inner arch lead to the Castell. This connection allowed the lords of the Castell to attend Mass without having to go outside. The architectural history can therefore be explored not only through the individual buildings, but also through their historical relationship.

Two cultural routes, two different perspectives

Las Acequias de Alaquàs is a cultural route that follows the Sequieta, Terç, Roller and Dijous irrigation channels. Its theme is water-related cultural heritage and its relationship to everyday life in the community. The Ruta Los Nombres Antiguos de Nuestras Calles takes a different approach: it is a theatrically staged cultural tour for families, with the starting meeting point at Plaza de la Constitución. The focus here is on the old street names and the theatrical format. The routes therefore clearly differ in theme: irrigation and everyday life on the one hand, and street names and theatrical presentation on the other.

Traditions between festival and music

The Cordà del Crist de la Bona Mort has a history spanning more than 150 years and is a festival of provincial tourist interest. Its format involves setting off fireworks in an enclosed area over a short period. The Associació Amics de la Cordà d'Alaquàs promotes the necessary safety measures.

La Carxofa has been considered a festival of provincial tourist interest since 2010 and has been classified as a Local Heritage Site (Bien de Relevancia Local) since 2022. The Cant de la Carxofa, in turn, is a musical composition dating from the 17th century that has continued to be performed in Alaquas, among other places; children sing it on the 8th and 9th of a month. The festival classification of La Carxofa and the history of the Cant therefore offer different ways to explore the tradition: through the festival's recognitions and through a composition that lives on in Alaquas.

Discover more destinations: Algar, Atzeneta D'albaida, Mareny Blau, Bocairent, Museros, Piles, Chera, Camp de Túria

For the main travel overview: Valencia.