Essential crossroads in the heart of the province of Alicante, Villena is a haven of history, architecture and gastronomy with which to dare at any time of the year to take refuge in the interior of Alicante. Capital of the Alto Vinalopó region, Villena is an accessible territory to dare to come from east, west and south without complications.
Barely 50 kilometers separate it from the city of Alicante and a few more – around 100 – from Albacete and Murcia. Crowned by the impressive Watchtower Castlethe watchword of this town, which also serves as an improvised viewpoint from which you can see the historic center and a good part of the region.
Also famous for its wineries and for what is known as Tesoro de Villena, this town deserves a place in the pages of historical Spanish goldsmithing. To do this we must go back to the 1960s, when the so-called Little Treasure of the Round Heada find in a gypsum quarry where several pieces of jewelry from the Bronze Age are found.
However, Later the great Treasure would appearwith the good fortune that a bricklayer took it to one of the town's jewelers who, faced with such a discovery, decided to consult with the municipal archaeologist.
Total, 66 pieces of goldsmithing which include vessels, plates, bracelets, flasks and necklaces dating from the 10th century BC and where work in eye, silver, iron and amber can be seen, being one of the most important finds of golden tableware in Europe, only surpassed by that of the Royal Tombs of Mycenae, in Greece. This treasure can be seen in the Villena Archaeological Museum.
Furthermore, Villena consolidates this historical heritage also with one of the most important theaters in the Valencian Community. Homeland of the composer Ruperto Chapí, Villena would honor her favorite son with the reconstruction of a theater that would bear the name of one of her great ambassadors.
Completed in 1925 – although the work involved 11 years of work – the Chapí Theater combines architectural details of the historicist modernism with which it began to be built with the details of later classicism. Currently, in addition to a first-rate cultural visit, It is also home to the most diverse theatrical and musical performances, from choirs and sacred music to pop, rock or musical concerts.
In an area of impressive wine-growing activity, Villena is also a good destination for wine tourism lovers, with several wineries in its surroundings that can be visited such as the Francisco Gómez Winerywhich produces different types of still wines and also the legendary Fondillón wine, the great reference of Alicante viticulture.
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