Jávea or Xàbia
Its mild climate and the variety of the surrounding landscape make Javea, or Xabia one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean coast.
Joaquin Sorolla one of the many prolific Spanish painters, with over 2,200 cataloged works left a record of these unique and varied landscapes in his paintings.
Located in the North of the Costa Blanca and framed by the Capes of San Antonio and the La Nao and bathed by the Mediterranean, it is sheltered from the cold winds by the Montgo Mountain.
To the west lies the valley of the River Gorgos which runs through the municipality from the west to east and on the south is the Granadella mountains which forms a platform 200 meters high.
The Montgo was declared a Nature Park in 1987 and in the Les Planes area of the park there are eleven windmills built between the fourteen and eighteenth centuries.
Arranged in line they are the most important group in the area historically and monumentally. Their cylindrical shapes are conserved although the roofs and machinery are long gone. Seven meters high and 6 meters in diameter the wind powered their sails and the powerful mechanism ground the wheat on circular stones mills.
Javea’s port dates back to the 15th Century and was extremely important right up until the end of the 19th Century due to the export of raisins. The first landing jetty and dock are dated from the 1870’s when the raisin exportation started to weaken, eventually ceasing and the fishing industry taking over. Today the fishing vessels continue to bring in their catch which is auctioned in the local fish market and the area has become a charming neighborhood with the church of Our Lady of Loreto in its centre. This church was in its time an important example of vanguard religious architecture.
The Arenal beach in the middle of the bay of Javea is the main tourist resort due to its fine sand and shallow waters.
Along the coastline there are countless magnificent coves, the Granadella is one of them and is recognized as one of the most beautiful on the Spanish peninsula.
There are 45 miles of marked trails along which you can enjoy the diverse landscape and visit some of Javea’s important cultural and architectural heritage.
Various convents, churches, museums and monuments, complete a memorable visit.