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Castell de
Castells and Plá de Petracos |

Castell
de Castells is a self-sufficient village with its two bakeries, two
small supermarkets, a butcher, chemist, bars, hotels and rural tourism
hostels. It also offers a gift shop, tobacconist, two banks and a
doctors' surgery, plus a museum and a ruined castle. The municipal pool
opens from the end of June through to early September and there is also a
small sports arena for tennis etc. Castell de Castells is a friendly and
welcoming
village where it is quite natural to greet passersby, whether familiar
faces or strangers.
The town, crowned by the
cupola of the church of Santa Ana, which dates from the 18th century,
rises over the ruins of two Arab settlements, Ajalt y
Bitla.
Castells,
as it is commonly known, is ideal for walking, casual strolling or a
strenuous hike among its fantastic scenery. Nature-lovers will find the ideal place to lose
themselves in the endless number of paths among the pine
trees, visit
the L'Altar Gelat (the Frozen Altar) which the sun never shines upon, and
slake their thirst at the Fountains (fonts) of L'Ombria and Texios. The
font de la Bota is the oldest, situated at the entrance to the town.
There are many panoramic
views from within and outside the village. From El Cocoll, on clear
days, the island of Ibiza can be spotted. Some of the most important
patrimonial treasures of the Valencian Community can be found in Castell
de Castells. The 7,000 year-old cave paintings are thought to have been
created by the first hunters and gatherers to settle in the area. The
cave paintings at Plá de Petracos are particularly significant as
several symbols are recognizable, such as those representing nature,
fertility, social relationships, hunting scenes and the praying figure.
It appears that in ancient times Plá de Petracos was a place for
meetings and culture.
The village fiestas are
celebrated to honour its patron saints, San Jaime and Santa Ana on the
25 and 26 of July every year. In the middle of August, the village
renews it festive spirit and bursts into colour, sound and partying once
again to celebrate the main village fiestas in honour of La Virgen de
Castells.
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In
January and February, the cherry and almond blossoms are a delight to
behold, followed by wild flowers through to the height of the summer.
The aromatic and balmy environment created by natural, wild plants such
as, thyme, rosemary and fennel is simply mesmerising.
The
village attracts a small number of tourists who are interested in
walking, mountain biking, horse-riding, painting, bird watching and seeping up the
village’s relaxed atmosphere which occasionally bursts into colourful
activity with its cultural events and fiestas dotted throughout the
year.
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