The best gravel rides around Villena

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.

The hermitage is a prominent natural viewpoint, offering panoramic views of Caudete, the Vinalopó Valley, and on clear days, even the sea. It forms part of the official PR-AB-50 trail, a well-marked circular route of approximately 13.5 km and moderate difficulty (550 m to 1,153 m elevation gain), which allows hikers to enjoy panoramic views, Mediterranean vegetation, and a nearby historic snow well. The area is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding, with several notable routes.

The Hermitage of Santa Bárbara is located on the summit of the Sierra de la Oliva, also known as the Sierra Santa Bárbara, at an altitude of approximately 1,153 meters, about 5 kilometers southeast of Caudete. Built around 1580 at the initiative of the people of Caudete, following a period of severe storms with hail, the mountain peak was chosen as a place of spiritual protection, with the trust that Santa Bárbara would safeguard the crops and the population. Traditionally under the jurisdiction of the parish of Santa Catalina, the hermitage is visited every May 1st in a pilgrimage: pilgrims ascend steep paths in homage to the saint's martyrdom, reflecting sacrifice and devotion.

The Ermita de San Blas in Sax is a small, historic chapel located in the heart of the old town, directly below the castle. It was probably built in the 13th or 14th century and is one of the typical "Ermitas de Reconquista" (reconquest hermitages) built after the Christian reconquest. The building has a simple rectangular floor plan with a later addition of a semicircular chancel and a baroque bell tower above the entrance. The statue of Saint Blas, the patron saint of the town, is venerated inside. The chapel continues to play a central role in the religious and cultural life of Sax. Of particular importance is the annual "Cabildo de San Blas" on December 26th, a traditional gathering that marks the beginning of the patron saint's festivities. In addition, masses are regularly held in honor of the saint. With its historic architecture and picturesque location below the castle, the Ermita de San Blas is an important symbol of Sax's identity and a worthwhile destination for visitors interested in culture.

The Arenal de l'Almortxó is a municipal natural area located in the northwest of Petrer, in the province of Alicante. It is a truly unique site due to its geology and biodiversity, and stands out as the largest active inland sandbank in the Iberian Peninsula.

It is a natural water source, easily accessible from the road and ideal for cooling off on hot days. The source becomes a stream that runs through the natural landscape, creating life in its wake.

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

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. Half-ruined, yet very impressive buildings. Much to discover, arouses curiosity. 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 purposes can still be recognized.