Alcalalí (Alcanali)
 

Alcalalí, with its 824 inhabitants, is located 230 meters above sea level. The village enjoys a temperate climate with an annual average of 17°C. Alcalalí is set in the heart of the Vall del Pop, halfway between Jalón and Parcent. The Vall de Pop is a beautiful valley, with delightful natural scenery, which changes permanently in colour and hue dependent on the season and time of year, offering unusual beauty. This village, as with all the villages in the valley is inhabited by friendly, hospitable and tranquil Valencian people. By road to Alicante city is 79 kms, to Valencia city is 96 kms, and the sea is 20 kms away.

Alcanalí's name is of Arabic origin, explained as a place where pots were  baked. Evidence of Arab settlements are seen in the remnants of pots found during excavations in the village. The main means of livelihood are construction, restaurants, tourism and also but to an increasingly smaller extent, agriculture. Alcalalí is surrounded by vineyard, orange, olive and almond groves, the latter, especially beautiful and spectacular in the month of February, when the almond tree is in full pink and white blossom.

If on a cultural visit to the village of Alcalalí, it is enough to walk through its scrubbed clean streets and see the carved detail on some of the doors, the pretty handmade lace and embroidery hanging in the windows and the wrought-iron work of balconies and "rejas". In Alcalalí's charming, village square is the town hall; the rejuvenated medieval tower (C15th) that houses the Raisin Museum; the parochial church (C18th), and a large oranamental tile explaining the origins and history of Alcalali, once a barony. The 15th century, gothic tower is 38 metres high. It was originally a watchtower for the entire valley. The second floor, open to visitors, contains village records and archives. The third and fourth floors house the Raisin Museum, where the visitor is guided by explanatory panels,  through the tools and techniques used in the elaborate process of raisin production, a traditonal industry in this region.

The tower's fifth floor has glass walls looking over breathtaking panoramic views of the Vall de Pop, as well as the valley's southern mountain range.  This mountain range separates the valley from other coastal towns such as Benidorm and Altea. The single winding road, called Col de Rates (rat's tail) heads over the mountain. This road is well worth the drive for spectacular valley, sea and mountain views. At the summit is a restaurant and bar for a break before descending another awesom mountainside.

A village in this area cannot be discussed without mentioning fiestas, and Alcalalí, ever faithful to its culture and traditions, celebrates 24 and 25 June by carrying the images of San Juan and Jesus through the village's streets. Alsol this is the traditional time for the blessing of the bread which is then distributed among those present. During the last weekend of August, San Miguel is honoured with diverse and popular games and festivities. Gastronomically, there are a few delights to be sampled in Alcalalí, especially dishes with duck or lamb. There are excellent tapas bars in the square. Also there is a sweet typically known as "sequillos", a cake made with eggs, olive oil, almonds and flour, which must be tasted.