The best running trails around Sax

The Church (Hermitage) of Santa Eulalia, located in the Santa Eulalia Colony, between Sax and Villena (Alicante, Alto Vinalopó). It forms part of an agricultural colony built in the late 19th century, declared a Site of Cultural Interest (ethnological) in 2016. It is situated in an area between Sax and Villena, near the Acequia del Rey irrigation canal and the Vinalopó River. The hermitage is located in one of the colony's two main squares, surrounded by houses, factories (flour and alcohol), a theater, a casino, and a train station. The current hermitage was built in 1891, on the site of an earlier medieval one, commissioned by the Count of Alcudia (Antonio de Padúa Saavedra). It is a simple rectangular building with a double-arched bell gable built around 1900; each arch housed bells on its lower level.

As a curiosity, it should be said that this is where the Valencian public television series "L'Alqueria Blanca" was recorded. https://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/alicante/2019/02/25/5c70046a21efa0b72a8b4613.html

Imposing hilltop castle from the 12th century on a steep cliff. The oldest part of the castle is the eastern tower, built on the steep slope of the cliff, made of tapia masonry. It dates from the Almohad period, i.e. the end of the 12th to the beginning of the 13th century. The second tower of the complex probably dates from the first decades of the 14th century. Originally a Moorish foundation, after the Reconquista the castle was located in the border area between the Kingdom of Murcia, claimed by Castile, and the Kingdom of Valencia, conquered by Aragon. A chain of castles was built in this area, mainly along the Vinalopó river. Around 1240 the castle was taken from the Muslims under Aragonese leadership and with the help of the Templars and the Order of St. John. Under the name "El Cid", Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became the symbol of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian competitors in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle, the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became “EL Cid”. The Spaniards, however, always spoke of “El Compeador”. CidCT: Camino del Cid Ciclotourista - Route of the castles in the historically contested border region between the Moors and the kingdoms of Castile, Valencia and Aragon.

The oldest part of the castle is the eastern tower, built of tapia masonry on the steep slope of the cliff. It dates from the Almohad period, i.e., the late 12th to early 13th century. The second tower of the complex probably dates from the first decades of the 14th century. Originally a Moorish foundation, after the Reconquista the castle was located in the border area between the Kingdom of Murcia, claimed by Castile, and the Kingdom of Valencia, conquered by Aragon. A chain of castles was built in this area, mainly along the Vinalopó River. Around 1240, the castle was wrested from the Muslims under Aragonese leadership and with the help of the Templars and the Order of St. John. Located on the CidCT route: Camino del Cid Cyclotourista - Route of Castles in the Historically Contested Border Region between the Moors and the Kingdoms of Castile, Valencia, and Aragon. Camino del Cid - Under the name "El Cid," Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became a symbol of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian rivals in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle; the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became "El Cid." The Spanish, however, always referred to him as "El Compeador" (The Warrior).

Sax Castle dates from the 12th century and is a construction of Arab origin. It stands on the top of a large rock, dominating the town of Sax and the Vinalopó valley.

This curious and beautiful place is a true journey through time. It is worth walking through its desolate streets and appreciating the abandoned buildings where you can still see their signs indicating their function, including the theater, a parador, the church, etc. A very curious and interesting site!

The Colonia de Santa Eulalia is an extraordinary historic settlement between Sax and Villena in the province of Alicante. Founded at the end of the 19th century by the noblemen Antonio de Padua Saavedra y Rodríguez de la Guerra and Mariano de Bertodano Roncalli, it is considered one of the first experiments in an agricultural-industrial community in Spain. The colonia was conceived as a self-sufficient village that combined work, living, and leisure. In addition to agricultural land for vineyards, olives, and almonds, factories, workshops, a palace, a theater, a casino, a church, and even its own train station were built. Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain. An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. The buildings are half-ruined, yet very imposing. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their functions are still recognizable.