Benigembla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benigembla is a town in Valencian Country (autonomous community), located in the Pop Valley within the district of Marina Alta in eastern Spain. The town is 314 meters above sea level. It is only 50 km away from Benidorm, 88 km from Alacant/Alicante, 105 km from Valencia, and 23 km from Dénia. The town is of morish origin, like most towns in the Pop Valley. In 1609 more than 10.000 moors of the Pop Valley resisted the decree of expulsion, and they gathered in the mountain of El Cavall Verd or el Pop. At the end, the moors gave up because they were running out of food, water, and basic supplies. After giving up, most of the moors were expelled after suffering high casualties.
Benigembla | |||||
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Location | |||||
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Coordinates : Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2) |
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General information | |||||
Native name | Benigembla (Catalan language (Valencian)) | ||||
Spanish name | {{{spanish_name}}} | ||||
Administration | |||||
Country | Spain | ||||
Autonomous Community | Valencian Country | ||||
Province | Alicante | ||||
Comarca | Marina Alta | ||||
Geography | |||||
Land Area | 18.45 km² | ||||
Altitude | 314 m AMSL | ||||
Population | |||||
Population | 615 (2006) | ||||
Density | 30.5 hab./km² (2006) |
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[edit] Demography
The village has 615 inhabitants according to the latest census of the year 2006. About 34% percent of the population is foreign, mostly British. But there is also a German and North American community in town. The district of Vernissa Park is largely English speaking, with a number of monolinguals. It is a very flat town surrounded by mountains, which one can find very enjoyable and relaxing. The main language spoken by its inhabitants is the catalan language, which the majority of the population speaks and uses as their main language. After the decree of the expelling of the Moors in 1609, the town was populated mostly by inhabitants from Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. Most of the traditions of these settlers are still carried out today.
[edit] Major Festivities and Traditions
There are two major festivities during the year. In January the town celebrates its festivities in honour of Sant Honorat and Sant Antoni. During the summer in August, the town celebrates its major festival from 12 August to 17 August. During the summer festival there are concerts, theatre, fireworks (correfocs), dancing, Valencian hand-ball, running with the bulls, and religious celebrations.
[edit] The Environment
The highest mountain peak of Benigembla is represented by "El Morro d'En Serra" with 1,001 m. One of the walking trails of interest in town is The Route of "El Mirabó". Other known mountains of Benigembla are: El Cavall Verd or el Pop (793 m), La Penya de L'Altar (949 m), La Solana (793 m), and also El Mirabó (691 m). The river Xaló-Gorgos passes next to Benigembla, which borders the town from its west side to its east side, and it was declared, as a site of special community interest by the European Commission in 2005. The river Xaló-Gorgos is 55 km long, and it ends finally in the sea in Xàbia.
[edit] Tourism
The town also has two restaurants, two rural houses, a recreational area in The Safareig, and a camping area. The camping area is located just 1 km from Benigembla, on the road that leads to Castell de Castells. There is a swimming pool, a tennis court, and other facilities. Another site of interest of Benigembla is The Ribàs Botanical Garden next to the main square, with trees that are more than 100 years old, and other species of special botanical interest.
Part of the exteriors of the film "Her Majesty the Minor" was filmed in the olive fields of Benigembla, in October of 2006, a super European production of the French director Jean-Jacques Annaud, who also directed The films "Seven Years in Tibet" and "The Name of the Rose".
[edit] Links
- La Vall de Pop. More information about Benigembla, and other towns of the Pop Valley.
- Benigembla. This is site is about Benigembla, but it is only in Catalan language, however there are nice pictures and sites of Benigembla.
- Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces - Tourist Guide More informatión about Benigembla and other Valencian towns, however is available only in Spanish.
- [La Vall de Pop a la Marina Alta]. Some information about the towns of the Pop Valley is available in English.
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