Castell de Castells

Coat of arms of Castell de Castells.

Castell de Castells (Valencian: [kasˈteʎ de kasˈteʎs], Spanish: [ kasˈtel de kasˈtels]) is a small village high in the mountains of the Marina Alta on the Costa Blanca in southeastern Spain. The village is at the source of the Rio Jalón and surrounded by mountains. It is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the nearest village of Benigembla, and 20 kilometres (12 mi) 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 Serrella mountain range, Malla de Llop, is over 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) high. The remains of an Arabic castle, Penya Castellet, and many trails are found in the area, popular for walking and mountain biking. 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.

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. Caves at the archaeological site have a viewing platform, and the paintings are explained on six interpretive panels.

Three kilometres outside the village is an enormous natural arch, Els Arcs.

Fiestas

San Vicente Ferrer: Celebrated at Easter time.
Week of Culture: This event will be held 18 July to 26 July 2010, 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 24 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 26 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 14 August, with one week of celebrations with events morning, noon and night. 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: Saturday 11th and 12 September the village holds 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 5 km 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

Plants and animals in the area include 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, Fritillaria hispanica, and Dictamnus. Tulips include Tulipa australis.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castell de Castells.

Municipalities of Marina Alta

Adsubia Alcalalí Beniarbeig Benidoleig Benigembla Benimeli Benissa Calp Castell de Castells Dénia Gata de Gorgos Llíber Murla Ondara Orba Parcent Pedreguer Pego El Poble Nou de Benitatxell / Benitachell Els Poblets El Ràfol d'Almúnia Sagra Sanet y Negrals Senija Teulada Tormos La Vall d'Alcalà La Vall d'Ebo La Vall de Gallinera La Vall de Laguar El Verger Xàbia Xaló

Municipalities of the province of Alicante

L'Atzúbia Agost Agres Aigües Albatera Alcalalí Alcocer de Planes Alcoleja Alcoy Alfafara Algorfa Algueña Alicante Almoradí Almudaina Altea Aspe Balones Banyeres de Mariola Benasau Beneixama Benejúzar Benferri Beniarbeig Beniardá Beniarrés Benidoleig Benidorm Benifallim Benifato Benigembla Benijófar Benilloba Benillup Benimantell Benimarfull Benimassot Benimeli Benissa Benitachell Biar Bigastro Bolulla Busot Callosa d'en Sarrià Callosa de Segura Calp Campo de Mirra Castalla Castell de Castells Catral Cañada Cocentaina Confrides Cox Crevillent Daya Nueva Daya Vieja Dolores Dénia El Campello El Ràfol d'Almúnia El Verger Elche Elda Els Poblets Facheca Famorca Finestrat Formentera del Segura Gaianes Gata de Gorgos Gorga Granja de Rocamora Guadalest Guardamar del Segura Hondón de las Nieves Hondón de los Frailes Ibi Jacarilla Jalón Jijona L'Alfàs del Pi L'Alqueria d'Asnar La Nucia La Romana La Torre de les Maçanes La Vall d'Alcalà La Vall de Laguar La Vila Joiosa Llíber Lorcha/L'Orxa Los Montesinos Millena Monforte del Cid Monóvar Murla Muro de Alcoy Mutxamel Novelda Ondara Onil Orba Orihuela Orxeta Parcent Pedreguer Pego Penàguila Petrer Pilar de la Horadada Pinoso Planes Polop Quatretondeta Rafal Redován Relleu Rojales Sagra Salinas San Fulgencio San Isidro San Miguel de Salinas San Vicente del Raspeig Sanet y Negrals Sant Joan d'Alacant Santa Pola Sax Sella Senija Teulada Tibi Tollos Tormos Torrevieja Tárbena La Vall d'Ebo Vall de Gallinera Villena Xàbia

Coordinates: 38°43′29″N 0°11′40″W / 38.72472°N 0.19444°W / 38.72472; -0.19444

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