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It is too simplistic to say of
Javea that the World Health Organisation named it as one of the healthiest
climes in the world and that there are more recorded hours of sunshine per
year on this little point of land than in any other place in Spain. That
is important for those who suffer the northern European climate but Javea is
much much more.
After a
number of false starts on how to adequately describe Javea we have taken
the wisest course of using the words of a professional writer who can put
the case for this lovely area far more eloquently than ourselves.
Charlene
Quince has lived in Javea for over 20 years and we have leaned heavily on
extracts from her latest book “Javea/Xabia – A Year in the life of a
Spanish Town”. A beautiful account of the area, the history, the
festivals and not least the people, punctuated with some wonderful
photographs by Billie Cook
(www.memories-of-javea.com)
that capture the beauty of this special part of
Spain. Our sincere thanks Charlene.
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Javea has
long been called Amanecer de Espana,
Dawn of Spain, because it occupies a far point of land looking eastward
over the Mediterranean Sea. The rising sun’s path catches variously the
three headlands. One day San Antonio, another day San Martin, or Cabo de
la Nao sees the first golden rays. But always day dawns over that blue
sea, enriching the life of the old Spanish fishing community. |
| There is a
sense of contentment, which wells up and exists just under the surface
here. This is partly because Javea continues to be a working port and not
just a tourist mecca; but also because it is a place where people from
many parts of northern Europe come to live permanently, not just a few
weeks a year. |
| There is
much history here, with the influence of the Moors much in evidence, with
perhaps the ancient San Bartolome Church containing the soul of the
village. One of its inner walls was there in 1244 when King Jaime El
Conquistador defeated the Moors here, whilst the outside wall is
pockmarked by fusillades of the Civil war seven centuries later. |
more pictures about the old
town
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Then there
are the wonderfully fresh fruit and vegetables, the wine of all qualities
and prices, the incredible almond blossom in the early spring, the outside
markets, the fields of orange trees,
literally hundreds of restaurants (where to pay more than a £10 a
head is a special occasion) and then of course always the clear clear air.
Halfway
between Alicante and Valencia airports, less than an hour from each via a
modern Autopista, but far enough away to never see an aeroplane. Centrally
placed to reach the cities of Madrid or Barcelona, to travel down to the
Costa del Sol or just travel 10 minutes inland into the hills that
surround Javea.
Of course
there are the tourists, but unlike most of the resorts on the Costas of
Spain, the vacationers here prefer to rent a villa with a private pool, or
an apartment with a communal pool. There are very few hotels in Javea, and
those that are here do not cater for package holidays. |
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Importantly, the Spanish have taken Javea to their hearts, and now make up
a large percentage of the influx to the town.
There are a
number of areas of Javea where people have chosen to live, whether it is
an apartment or town house in the port or near the beach, or a villa in an
urbanisation or the surrounding countryside.
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more pictures about
Javea puerto
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Javea is no longer a hidden paradise. Clubs, restaurants, the Parador, the
Javea Golf Course, and our proud Club Nautico do all they can to make us
known; as does the annual Tourist Feria. The shooting range on La Plana,
riding stables, tennis courts, cricket pitch, bowling clubs, undersea
diving facilities – exist for the pleasure and profit of all. Many local
clubs exist and walking in the area is a favourite past-time. |
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And standing guard over us all is
of course our beloved Montgo, which needs a page on its own, but we just
include a photograph. We simply ask you to come and visit it and Javea
yourselves, to find that our web site only just scratches the surface of
this little jewel in this vibrant country that is Spain. |
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