THE HISTORIC CENTRE

A SHORT HISTORY OF JAVEA

The first recorded mention of Jávea dates back over 700 years as Jaime II swept southwards to consolidate a launchpad from which to attack the Muslim-held lands of Andalucia. The modest population of the village had already begun to build a simple watch-tower to protect themselves from marauding pirates but when North African pirates swept through the valley of Jávea, razing much of it to the ground, the population was forced to find refuge in Denia and the settlement was abandoned. A tower was eventually built at the beginning of the 14th century and a community began to grow on the southern flanks of the Montgó massif; by the beginning of the 15th century, the village of Jávea had its own council and a century later the population approached 1,000. The persistent danger from pirates resulted in a defensive wall built around the village in the late 15th century, following a perimeter that is still defined by the main roads that give the modern town its characteristic hexagonal shape. These walls protected Jávea for some 400 years until they were demolished in the late 19th century. During the War of Spanish Succession (1704-1714), whilst Denia supported the Austrian claim to the throne, Jávea remained faithful to the Bourbon dynasty and was subject to sustained attacks from Austrian-Habsburg forces. For its loyalty to Felipe V, the town was awarded the privilege of using the heraldic iris and two crowned "L's" on its shield. A century later, during the Peninsular War, Jávea offered resistence to Napoleon's French forces stationed in Denia and one man in particular, Antonio Catalŕ, gained infamy for his successful harassment of French troops in the region. During the 19th century, the production of raisins greatly enhanced Jávea's economic fortunes and many of the large palatial houses built throughout the historic quarter date back to an era when Jávea was exporting raisins to much of Europe and even North America. Fortunes were already in decline when the devastating Spanish Civil War tore apart the whole country in the 1930s and Jávea didn't escape the horror of war. Italian fascist bombers bombarded the area around the Arenal whilst the fortified church of San Bartolomé suffered great damage from persistent shelling and the great walls remain pockmarked as a reminder. In the 60s and 70s the tourism boom turned around the fortunes of the town and much of its economy still relies on the holidaymaker.

SIGHTS TO SEE IN JAVEA'S HISTORIC CENTRE

LA IGLESIA-FORTALEZA DE SAN BARTOLOMÉ, Plaça de l'Església
The fortress-church of Saint Bartholomew dates back to the 14th century. Designed by Valencian architect Domingo Urteaga, the church was built in the Elizabethan Gothic style to meet the two needs of the local population: religious worship and defensive protection. From the top of the bell tower, a chaplain once threw rocks at Napoleonic troops who had marched onto the town in 1812; once those French troops gained access to the church, the chaplain himself was thrown from the tower! Look for the statue of Saint Bartholomew in the tympanum above the eastern entrance as well as the defensive machicolations above both doorways. And if you're lucky, the church may be open for a glimpse inside.
AYUNTAMIENTO, Plaça de l'Església
The town hall building were once the town's court rooms which was originally built in the 18th century. Underneath this fine building are remains of a medieval cemetery which was used during the 14th and 15th centuries and some of these ancient graves can still be seen under the glass floor of the tourist office. 
MUSEO MUNICIPAL, Plaça dels Germans Segarra
Dating from the early 17th century, the building was originally the home of Antonio Bańuls, trusted servant of the Marquis of Denia and butler to Felipe III and Felipe IV. The building was refurbished in the 19th century and now houses the town's museum collection, telling the story of Jávea from prehistory. At the very top of the building is a viewing terrace which overlooks much of the old quarter as well as a near-360ş view across the area.
PORTAL DEL CLOT
On the location of the old gatehouses that allowed access into the walled enclosure have been built small tosca stone crosses. The cross at Portal del Clot affords a great view south towards the sea, the Arenal and the hills of Cabo de la Nao.
CAPILLA DE SANTA ANNA, Carrer d'Avall
The chapel formed part of the old hospital that was built in 1502 to meet the needs of a population beset by plague and pestilence and it's the only part of the hospital that remains. The chapel is normally locked but you may be lucky enough to pass by and the doors will be open so you can glimpse the three Gothic vaulted-arch ceiling.
CASA DE TENA, Calle Major
Built in the mid-19th century, this building has been recently refurbished and opened as a public gallery.
CONVENTO DE LOS MÍNIMOS, Placeta del Convent
The building was constructed just 65 years ago on the site of the 17th century 'Convento de los Minimos' which housed the Augustine order of Nuns. Whilst the chapel is still is use, the convent is now used as a day centre for sufferers of Alzheimers.
RIURAU DELS CATALÁ D'ARNAUDA, Parque Montaner
Located in the trees above the Plaza de la Constitución, this prime example of a traditional raisin drying facility was built in the latter half of the 20th century.
THE ANICENT CITY WALLS, Avda. Príncipe de Asturias
The old city walls were pulled down in the 1870s but their original route around the old village remains and part of the walls have been replicated in the main road that passes through the town.
MERCADO MUNICIPAL, Plaza Celestino Pons
Although the building gives the impression of antiquity, it was constructed just over 65 years ago, designed in the Civil Gothic style with its single gable roof supported by large diaphragm arches. It houses the municipal market, the centre of commerce for fresh food in the town

THE PORT

THE ARENAL

JAVEA'S GATEWAY TO THE SEA

IGLESIA DE NUESTRO SEŃORA DE LORETO
Inaugurated in 1967, this uniquely-designed church is dedicated to the patron saint of fishermen, La Virgen de Santa Loreto. The story goes that a large number of fishermen was caught in a huge storm at sea and they promised that they would build their saint a new special church if she saved their lives. It's an unusual modern design, the twelve pillars representing the Twelve Apostles holding up the roof which, when viewed from inside, forms the shape of a boat’s hull. It has been considered one of the three most accomplished modern temples, along with Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral (1967) and the Cathedral of Brasilia (1970) in Brazil.

PORT DE XŔBIA
A harbour of sorts has existed since the Middle Ages but the first jetty was not built until the latter half of the 19th century when Jávea became an important gateway for the export of raisins to the rest of Europe and North America. When the industry collapsed at the beginning of the last century, the port's purpose changed to fishing and the modern harbour was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s. Watching the trawlers come home, the haul unloaded and the fish sold off in the auction house is a wonderful way to spend a few hours in the port.

CALA DE TANGÓ o POPE
At the very end of the harbour, close to the steep cliffs of Cabo de San Antonio, sits the hidden beach of Cala de Tangó (aka Pope's Cove) and the bottom of the path that rises up to the viewing platform at the top of those steep cliffs.

MORE THAN JUST A BEACH

ELS BANYS DE LA REINA
Just behind the Parador Hotel, located on the apparent promontory to the north, lie the remains of a Roman salting industry. Known as the "Queen's Baths", a number of tanks were carved out of the tosca stone coast into which were deposited the guts of fish caught further up the coast in special “fisheries”, one of which was thought to exist at Cala Blanca. They were then filled with salt extracted from the flats known as the 'saladar' fed by sea water through special channels cut through the coast just a few hundred metres away. Under a fierce sun, the mixture cured over a period of around two months and produced the precious "garum", a condiment that was an essential flavour in Roman cooking, which was then packed into jars and distributed throughout the Roman Empire.  

SÉQUIA DE LA NORĚA
Carved through the tosca stone, remains of a fossilised sandbank, a 200m long channel, up to 1.70m wide and once more than 4m deep in places, extends inland from the water's edge. It has been thought that the channel was built to drain the water that accumulated in the low-lying Saladar area but the most common theory is that it allowed sea-water to flood the Saladar; a subsequent evaporation produced huge salt flats from which the salt could be mined and used in the "garum" industry. There was once a wheel – the “noria” – which moved the sea-water into the canal but this has long since disappeared. 

LOS MIRADORES DE JÁVEA

PARQUE NATURAL DEL MONTGÓ

"One of the main natural tourist attractions of the Jávea coastline are the exceptional panoramic views which can be seen from fifteen viewpoints which have been meticulously prepared and signalled for your enjoyment and contemplation. They all comprise the "Xŕbia Scenic Viewpoints Route", exclusive enclaves near the Mediterranean Sea where nature has created a landscape which will captivate all the visitor's senses."

One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Jávea's coastline is by visiting the official viewpoints which have been selected for their outstanding panoramas.

They begin in the north with ELS MOLINS, the remains of several windmills which overlook the town and are often mistaken for castles or watchtowers. To the south, the stunning high cliff landscape of Cap Negre and Cabo de la Nao can be admired from a number of viewpoints.

In 2011, a group of friends walked all fifteen viewpoints in 8h22m, a distance of just over 27 kilometres. Read more about their challenge here.

The mountain of Montgó has a modest height of 753m (c. 2,470ft) but its proximity to the sea provides a significant visual impact on visitors and it has become an almost sacred symbol of the Marina Alta region.

The Parque Natural del Montgó was inaugurated in 1987, just over 2,100 hectares of protected flora and fauna. There are over 650 species of flora, some of which are rare enough to be found only on the slopes of the mountain. The Bonelli's Eagle, one of the most endangered species in Europe, might be spotted in the skies above this protected area whilst the Peregrine Falcon and European Eagle-Owl can also been seen. On the ground, there are wild boar, rabbits, badgers, foxes and weasels along with several species of lizards and snakes.

The mountain itself can be climbed, most popularly from the east where a path winds its way up the steep face before a medium scramble up the eastern ridge brings the eager walker to the summit of Montgó. The view can be quite stunning in all directions; the Balearic island of Ibiza can be clearly seen nestling on the horizon to the east whilst the mountain of Sierra Aitana, the highest in the Alicante province can be spotted to the south. To the north, the huge Bay of Valencia sweeps away into the distance whilst the deep ravines that once protected (for a few years) the unfortunate Moriscos from forced expulsion carve into the mountains to the west.