Javea / Xabia
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The northern Costa Blanca town of Javea (Xabia)
lies about 80 km north of Alicante between Denia and Altea. Located in
the Marina Alta district, Javea is situated behind a wide bay and is
sheltered by two rocky headlands. A very popular seaside town, the
population of Javea swells from its usual 29,000 to over 100,000 during
the busy summer months.
Enjoying a temperate Mediterranean climate, Javea is sheltered from cold
northerly winds during the winter time by the huge Mount Montgó, keeping
temperatures mild throughout colder months. Apart from the shelter it
gives, Mount Montgó also provides a dramatic backdrop for the town and
these days forms part of the Mount Montgó Natural Park (declared as such
in 1987), covering some 21 km2 and containing some interesting
archaeological remains.
Artefacts found in caves of Mount Montgó, give evidence of human
activity in the area around Javea some 16,000 years ago, during the
Upper Palaeolithic Era, further activity is evident from the Neolithic
Era and from the Bronze Age. There have been some important finds from
the Iberian Culture including pieces in silver and gold, dating from the
3rd to 2nd Centuries BC. The arrival of the Romans after the Second
Punic War (219-201 BC) heralded an improvement in organised society and
many advances in agricultural activity in the area around Javea. Villas
were constructed, particularly in the fertile valley formed by the
River Gorgos, and there was a settlement in the area of Playa de Arenal
where the fish sauce, ‘garum’ was produced and exported. After the
decline of the Roman Empire, the Romans were replaced by the Visigoths,
and although little is known of their time in the region, there is some
documentation suggesting the appearance of a monastery (San Martin),
though there is no firm evidence to support this.
In the 8th Centruy the Moors invaded and conquered the Iberian
Peninsular, where they remained until the 13th Century (the Christian
re-conquest of Denia is documented in 1224). The Arabs continued with
the agricultural improvement of the area, using expert irrigation
methods brought from the arid deserts of North Africa and the Middle
East. In the centuries following the Christian re-conquest, the town of
Javea was walled and fortified to fend off attacks from marauding
pirates, and there is still evidence today of these ancient
fortifications.
Probably the most popular spot for modern day tourists to Javea is the
old port, retaining much of its original charm, it has not been spoiled
by modernisation. It has a good range of bars and restaurants and is a
great place to enjoy a delicious local seafood dish. The harbour dates
from the 15th Century and it was formerly an important shipping point
for the export of raisins until the collapse of the raisin trade in the
late 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Xàbia, also known as Jávea, is a coastal town overlooking the
Mediterranean Sea in Marina Alta, a comarca in Alicante, Spain. The town
itself is divided into three parts; the Old Quarter, the port and the
village that is almost 3 km inland. Declared one of the healthiest
climates in the world by the World Health Organization, Jávea is
protected by the cool harsh winds of the winter from the north by the
mountain of Montgó. The temperatures stay pleasant enough even during
the summer, averaging 32°c in the warmest month of August which is also
one of the most active months in Jávea in terms of tourist activity.
Fast becoming a popular tourist resort, the town of Jávea has developed
into a hot property market for retirement villas and land in general.
The population of around 28,500 swells to over 100,000 when the tourists
pour in. For the most part through, the inland groves of Jávea are
undisturbed by the tourist activities, they still produce tons of citrus
oranges every year and the sight remains awesome when the branches are
laden in season.
From a tourist point of view, the town is accessible through roads while
the nearest train station at Gata de Gorgos is 10km inland. Connected to
Alicante and Valencia through bus service as well, Jávea is at an hours
drive from the two airports. In addition, the coach service caters daily
to travelers headed to and from Madrid.
Once a town fortified to ward off pirates and marauders, the ‘old
quarter’ of Jávea boasts the 14th Century Church of Sant Bartolomé that
is dated a further 300 years back through some evidence. The church was
declared a National Historic and Arts Monument for its historical value
and is a popular tourist attraction now. While the ruins of the 15th
Century Fontana Castle in the Arenal region have been replaced by
apartment buildings, the cannons of the British destroyed fortification
are still displayed in front of the Church of Sant Bartolomé. The Museo
Historico y Etnografico Municipal J.B. Soler Blasco Javea, an
etnographical museum, and the Agustinas Descalzas are also located in
the old quarter, along with a modern market that, even with the span of
time, retains the beauty of the olden days.
The port is an obvious tourist favourite with a gravel beach, marina and
a wide variety of restaurants to keep holiday makers adequately
entertained. As with most areas in Jávea, there is a historical
significance to everything. The port, dating back to the 15th century,
played its extraordinary role in raisins export till the trade collapsed
by the end of the 19th century. An attraction in the port area is the
church of Nuestra Señora del Loreto which shows off the town’s fishing
culture to the hilt in its build. This area compliments the sandy beach
of Arenal which is the party centre for the town. The various sand
artists work away as while the tourists pour in, making it into a
bustling place with bars, beach parties and long nights of fun and
activity.
If all this isn’t enough to set Jávea out as a town to visit, the 2,150
hectares of Montgó National Park add another mix of history and modern
lifestyle to the area. Whether you stay in the village or the beach
area, there is plenty to do and see while in Javea. The Cabo de Nao San
Martin is a small hill with a lighthouse which can be reached by either
car or by a path near the harbor area. The view from Cabo de Nao san
Martin is breathtaking and something anyone visiting Javea should
experience. There are also quite a few old churches in the area which
are also popular attractions. The Inglesia de San Bartolome, for
example, was built in the twelfth century originally erected to defend
against pirates. The Soler Blasco Museum is another popular attraction
and offers its visitor much history on the area. The treasure of Javea
is held in the museum, consisting of jewelry from many centuries ago.
The Montgo Natural Park is also a spectacular sight to see, especially
Elephant Mountain from which you can take experience another one of the
area’s beautiful views. The park is also home to many beautiful flowers,
vegetation and rare birds. The archaeological remains dating several
thousand years back, and the various pagan and Christian and cultural
fiestas held in June, July and September make sure the time spent in
this beautiful resort town worth your while.
The main beach of Javea is Playa de Arenal, a fine sandy beach with a
good range of facilities. The beach is backed by a wide promenade which
is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, and is also the location for
a lively craft market which is held on warm summer evenings. Javea holds
its weekly market on Thursdays and this is a popular place to stock up
on fresh locally grown produce. Javea, of course has its share of
fiestas and festivals, the main ones being the Moros y Cristianos (Moors
and Christians) in July, the Fogueres de San Juan (bonfire festival) in
June and the Nuestro Señora de Loreto (with bull-running) in September.
Javea Fishmarket
You can't get fish much fresher than Javea's Fishmarket which as well as
supplying many of the areas restaurants and fishmongers also sell to the
public in a little shop just outside the main auction house on the quay
side. As the boats unload their catches they are are sold at auction to
the various restaurant owners and fishmongers. A selection of the catch
is also sold at the shop on the side of the auction house. It
opens around 6:00 pm most evenings.
Some fish are line caught but you'll also find other specialities here
such as octopus (pulpa), squid and big red Denia prawns (gamba de Dénia)
which are reputed to be the best in the world!
Don't worry too much if you miss the fish market as you'll also find
fresh fish counters in the Mercandona supermarket and staff there are
happy to clean, fillet and de-scale the fish for you (you'll have to
scrub your own mussels though but they are delicious and very reasonable
per kilo).
As the boats unload their catches they are are sold at auction to the
various restaurant owners and fishmongers. A selection of the catch is
also sold at the shop on the side of the auction house.
Javea can be reached via the N332 coast road or the AP-7 motorway
junctions 62 or 63.
