A NATURAL CORRIDOR FROM THE INLAND PLATEAU

The valley is the natural corridor from and to the coastline, making this valley a historical pathway since roman times (Via Heráclea and Via Augusta). All the region share with the province its history very important Iberian settlements (the city of Elche is home to some of the best Iberian relics), the Cartago and roman invasions, the Arab settlements and the reconquest of the territory by Christian kingdoms.

THE SALTY RAVINES

The river becomes a salty ravine after the famous medieval castle of Villena in a series of salty lunar landscapes with several salt outcrops, natural salty pools and ponds and salty water springs that have become famous thanks to their high content of minerals (pottasium, iron, etc.) and their medicinal properties. In some of this places water is 5 times as salty as compare to Sea water making bathers float as in the Dead Sea.

SOME COOKING RECIPES

Throughout the riverbed the gastronomy from the región get different shapes, colours, textures and tastes with predominance of rice based dishes, fruits and wines down to the well known date’s delicacies from the Human World Heritage declared palm groves of the city of Elche.

HOW TO GET THERE

From the international airport of Alicante, down to the town of Santa Pola you can follow Vinalopó’s riverbed upwards, crossing all its most beautiful and characteristic hideaways.