Benissa

Benissa is a municipality and city located northeast of the province of Alicante, in the district of Marina Alta. The township, of 69.7 kilómetros2, has 4 miles of coastline. It has 15,254 inhabitants (2008), of which 44.5% is of foreign nationality.


The municipality of Benissa has a surface that presents a very irregular and heterogeneous terrain. From the coast, formed mostly by small coves and cliffs, to the highlands, formed by the mountains of Olta, La Solana, the green jersey and, most prominently, the Sierra de Bernia with almost 1,200 meters .
The village is located about 200 meters above the sea level.


Several findings suggest the development of certain prehistoric activity in Benissa. The discovery of three small paintings in the game of Pines, coins, vases ... shows us the coming of the Romans in these parts.
The origin of the name is Arabic Benissa "Beni Isa" or "Sons of Isa".


Throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, suffered numerous attacks by pirates. The population remained predominantly Muslim, divided by the field, while the Christian population was based mainly on the town. The expulsion of the Moors held in 1609, followed by a repopulation with people from the Pyrenees, Catalonia and Aragon, who came to the walled town.


Its most unique buildings and monuments are:
- City Hall. Is installed on the old Municipal Hospital, built in 1790.
- Church of the Immaculate Conception. Gothic style building and is also known as the Cathedral of the Navy, because of the magnitude of its dimensions.
- Old Church Square. Here was the Church-Fortress of St. Peter built in the fourteenth century until it was destroyed in the early 50's.
- La Lonja. Sixteenth century a medieval character and now houses exhibitions of high artistic and cultural value.
- The Riberero. It is a highly symbolic figure that appears in praying position due to the habit of praying to save the stone before the journey beniseros farmers, who emigrated twice a year to the shore of Valencia for planting and harvesting rice.
- Convent of the Franciscan Fathers. Data from 1645 and has a distinctly defensive facade.
 
Its coastline is suitable for scuba diving, rock their funds, and sailing. The most popular beach is Playa de la Fustera, with more services, sports and games.
Benissa has also called Les Basetes marina, located on the edge of Calpe.

A traditional saying of Benissa is "octopus and Mass" (polpa i missa) and refers to one of the local gastronomic traditions: the octopus stew where the meat is replaced by rock octopus.
One of the culinary riches for which he is known for its sausages Benissa is the best of the Marina Alta.
Linked to the grape and the culture of riu rau, you can taste the sweet wine and muscatel.


The most representative Benissa holidays are:
- The Patron. In honor of the Immaculate Xiqueta are held the fourth Sunday in April and lasts 10 days, where you can enjoy free concerts, bullfighting events and the emotional rise and fall of the Virgin, before and after the procession.
- Moros y Cristianos. In honor of St. Peter, held the weekend closest to June 29.
- Fair and Porrat. In honor of San Antonio, are held in January and last three weekends, where you can also enjoy a medieval fair.
Some neighborhoods in the urban core and rural various items have their little party, which include the San Antonio district, held in summer.