Castell de Castells

Castell de Castells is a small village high in the mountains of the Marina Alta on the Costa Blanca in South Eastern Spain. The village is at the source of the Rio Jalon and surrounded by some beautiful mountains. It is approximately 12 km from the nearest village of Benigembla and 20km from Jalón the nearest large town. It is approximately one hour's drive to the beaches, the Fuentes de Algar and Terra Mítica theme park. Also in the area are the caves of Vall d'Ebo and Benidoleig.

The highest peak of the mountain range Serrella is over 550 metres. The remains of an Arabic castle, Penya Castellet, and many mosarabic trails are found in the area, a location for walking holidays and becoming popular with mountain bikers. Five kilometres outside the village in the area known as Pla de Petracos are ancient cave paintings said to have been painted over 5000 years ago. The area has a rich history with three settlements around the village: Pla de Petracos, Bitlla and Pla d'Alt (The High Place). The ruins of these settlements are now being rebuilt as modern homes.

Caves at the archaeological site of Petracos with pre-historic art have a platform making it easier to see this macro-schematic art and the paintings are explained on six panels. Three kilometres outside the village is an enormous Natural arch, Els Arcs.

Fiestas

* San Vicente Ferrer Celebrated at Easter time.

* Gastronomic Fair Last 26th and 27th of April 2008

* Week of Culture 19th July until 27th July 2008 with poetry readings at the Font d'la Bota, music concerts in the square, performed by the village band "La Primitiva", traditional dancing with entertainment for young and old. Saturday 26th of July is International Day in the village, with a variety of international events organised by the ex-pats living in and around the village.
* Santa Ana The 26th of July is the day of "Santa Ana", patron saint of Castell de Castells. This is a day of great celebration in the village with a candlelit procession though the streets in the evening.

* Summer Fiesta Starts on the 14th August. One week of great celebration with something morning, noon and night for all. A typical Spanish fiesta is very noisy and tends to go on very late at night, so siestas are important in the afternoon, when it is extremely hot.

* Pla de Petracos On the second Saturday in September the village hold a great fiesta under the old trees in the ancient settlement of Petracos. Trees are lit with fairy lights, then music, food and dancing goes on through the night. On Sunday morning the Saint is carried from the village church to Petracos, about 5km down the mountain. Mass is then held under the trees. Afterwards families gather for an aperitif before cooking their paellas in the open air and continuing with the weekend fiesta.

Flora and fauna

"Narcissus assonanus", "Narcissus dubious", Bee Orchids, "Ophrys speculum", Venus' Mirror Orchid, Man Orchid, "Aceras anthropophorum", Sombre Bee, "Ophrys fusca" Sawfly, "Phrys tenthredinifera" and Woodcock, "Ophrys scolopax", also the Yellow Bee Orchid "Ophrys lutea", the very rare "Orchis italica and numerous others. "Fritillaria hispanica", "Dictamnus". Tulips include "Tulipa australis".

External links

* [http://www.39steps.aixa.com Castell de Castells]