Orihuela is one of the most beautiful towns in Alicante. The poet Miguel Hernández was born here in 1910 and it was where he spent most of his life. His house today is a museum.
Surely that is why Orihuela is the cultural and heritage capital of the province of Alicante. Furthermore, three cultural routes coincide in its municipal area: La Senda del Poeta, which runs through the places that Miguel Hernández visited; the Camino Caravaqueño, a pilgrimage route to the Sanctuary of Caravaca de la Cruz, and the Camino del Cid, which reaches Vivar del Cid, the Burgos town where the Campeador was born.
Places of interest and historical value in Orihuela city
Below, we list the essential places to see in Orihuela city:
Orihuela Castle: medieval walls and towers
Located on Mount San Miguel, at an altitude of 240 meters, Orihuela Castle is in a state of obvious ruin, although you can still see large sections of its walls, as well as the remains of some of its medieval towers, which have remained mute witnesses of an ancient splendor. At the top of the castle there is a cistern with extraordinary views of the old town of Orihuela. Of course, you can only get there on foot.
El Salvador’ Cathedral and Santa María de Orihuela
Built on Visigoth and Hispano-Arab remains, its origin dates to the 13th century and it was Alfonso Cathedral. Its museum preserves paintings by Velázquez, José de Ribera, Valdés Leal or Juan de Juanes, and sculptures by Francisco Salzillo and José Vergara.
Palace of the Marquises of Rubalcava
Built in the 1930s next to the church of Santiago, the magnificent Rubalcava Palace was acquired in 2010 by the Orihuela City Council from its previous owners to give it social and cultural use. It consists of three floors and beautiful gardens with fountains and tiled benches. It also has a valuable collection of ceramics, mainly from Manises, and paintings.
Convent of Santo Domingo
Also known as Colegio del Patriarca Loazes or as “el Escorial de Levante”, the Santo Domingo convent is the largest monument in the entire Valencian Community. With more than 18,000 square meters, it has two cloisters (the convent and the university), a baroque church and a tower, also in the baroque style, unique for its abundant decoration and color. Currently, it is the headquarters of the Diocesan College of Santo Domingo.
Plaza de Ramón Sijé
This square is dedicated to the Oriolano lawyer, journalist and essayist José Ramón Marín Gutiérrez, known at the time as Ramón Sijé. He was a great friend of Miguel Hernández and upon his death, in 1935, the poet dedicated to him what is probably his most heartfelt work, Elegía a Ramón Sijé. Today this practically pedestrianized urban space is one of the most peaceful in the center of the town, very close to the Cathedral.
Villaescusa House
Casa Villaescusa is one of the most striking and colorful civil buildings in Orihuela. A modernist style construction built in 1915 and designed by local architect Severiano Sánchez Ballesta with a double function: residential and commercial. Many Oriolanos know it as Galerías Colón, because of the commerce it housed for decades. The façade, painted in bright colors, draws attention to the decorative richness with numerous plant details, the grilles on the balconies, the chamfer, which houses harmonious galleries of wood and glass, and the small turret, which rises a few meters above the large terrace of the building.
Palace of the Marquis of Arneva
Due to its institutional function, as the headquarters of the Orihuela City Council, the Palacio del Marqués de Arneva is the most important civil building in this town.
A construction from the 18th century that has undergone various renovations between the 19th and 20th centuries and a complete restoration at the end of the latter, when it was decided to transform it into a Town Hall.
Museums in Orihuela
This Alicante city has numerous museums that are very attractive to visit on your tourism getaway through Orihuela. Among all of them, we highlight the following:
Regional Archaeological Museum
This museum is the heir to the old Museum of Antiquities of the Santo Domingo Diocesan School, founded in 1902, from which part of its funds come. Since 1997, it has been in the 18th century church of San Juan de Dios. It preserves pieces ranging from the Paleolithic to the beginning of the 19th century and the majority are of local or regional origin.
Wall Museum (Museo de la Muralla)
Located in the basement of the Casa del Paso building, on the Las Salesas Campus, the Wall Museum houses a site with an important archaeological heritage: the wall, four Almohad towers, Arab baths, Islamic and Christian homes, a Gothic palace, and remains of the Casa del Paso. The museum is visited through a perimeter corridor and glass walkways.
Miguel Hernández Museum
As we have mentioned before, it is the birthplace of the poet Miguel Hernández. He lived here with his parents and siblings and the rooms of the property are typical of a house from the beginning of the century, to which must be added a corral for the goats and a small garden next to the mountain. It preserves furniture and a trousseau from the period, as well as photographs of the author of the “Onion Lullabies.”
Festivities in Orihuela
Holy Week in Orihuela
Its celebration of Holy Week, declared of International Tourist Interest on September 20, 2010, after numerous campaigns, such as television campaigns on Canal Nou and Spanish Television channels. It is one of the most traditional Holy Weeks in Spain, having its origin in the demonstrations promoted by the Council of Trent, although its brotherhoods are sometimes from medieval dates.
Festivities of the Reconquest of the Moors and Christians
The reconquest festivities are celebrated in the month of July. During the festivities the different troupes, both Moorish and Christian, parade on their respective days exhibiting the splendor of each of them. Its main day is Reconquista Day (July 17).
The Festive Half Year (El medio año festero)
This is the celebration held by the Santa Justa y Rufina Association of Moors and Christians when there is still half a year left for the reconquest festivities. It is celebrated the weekend following the 20th of January, coinciding with the celebration of the San Sebastián festivities. During the festive half-year, the new ambassadors of the Moorish and Christian sides take office, the awards are given to the best ranks, as well as the parade of the troupes of both sides on Sunday morning.
Medieval Market in Orihuela
In mid-February, the medieval market is held for a full weekend. In addition, numerous outdoor shows with recreational content set in the Middle Ages are held. This market extends throughout the historic center, having received more than 150,000 visitors during 2009.
Festivities of the Virgin of Monserrate and Orihuela Fair
They are celebrated from September 6 until the weekend immediately after the 20th of the same month. During these periods, concerts, an equine fair, a national purebred competition, and events are held in honor of the patron saint of the city and the Diocese.
San Antón Festivities in Orihuela
They take place the weekend immediately after January 17, holding numerous events such as the National Charlatans Competition, the San Antón fair, the appointment of Knights and Ladies of the Royal Order of San Antón, as well as events and cults in honor of the patron saint of the neighborhood.
