A Taste of Calpe Spain

Calpe is located in the province of Alicante, within the region of the Costa Blanca. It is the perfect tourist destination for travelers who love the Mediterranean sun and sea. Tourists from different parts of the globe come to this area of the Costa Blanca region to have fun along the shorelines. The town takes pride in their history, wonderfully preserving their more ancient landmarks for future generations of residents and tourists to appreciate and enjoy. Just beyond the limits of the town are areas where trekkers can explore the vast wonders of nature. There is so much to see and experience in this small town that some tourists come year after year to Calpe, Spain while others have decided to become part of the local community.

The town of Calpe is rich in both history and culture. Evidences of ancient settlements dating back to Bronze Age have been found near the town. Calpe itself may have been built during Iberian periods. With the colonization of the Romans, a greater amount of importance was placed on the coast, trading salts and other local products. Agriculture was important during this time and still remains vital source of livelihood for some of the residents.

There are numerous sites to see while in Calpe. As a predominantly Christian community, quite a few were built for religious purposes. One is the Ermita del Salvador. Erected during the 18th century, it is located on an elevated portion of town. Travelers standing on this point are given a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another is the Ermita San Juan de la Cometa. This structure is a part of a series of religious monuments, making up a defensive point used during the latter parts of 17th-18th century. By the center of what was initially known as the old town stands the parish church. This was built in honor of the town’s patron saint Our Lady of the Snows during the latter parts of 20th century. Adjacent to this structure is the former parish church. Constructed using elements of both Gothic and Islamic styles, it combined the functions from both a religious and a defensive standpoint.

Besides the religious landmarks are the civic monuments. The Castillo Fortaleza was initially built to defend the town from Berber pirates. What remains now are the partial ruins of the tower that was erected during the latter parts of the 16th century. After the destruction of the castle, the Torre del Moli was built in its place during the mid 19th century. This flour mill has a circular foundation with two floors.

The town of Calpe is renowned for its beaches. Within the town’s borders are at least three beaches: the Playa Puerto Blanco, the Levante Playa La Fossa and the Playa del Arenal-Bol. Both the Fosa beach and the Arenal-Bol beach are more urban in nature with finer sand beaches while the Puerto Blanco beach contains boulders.

To get a better taste of the local culture, tourists are invited to participate in one of several festivities celebrated annually. Some are dedicated to various religious figures. Examples include the Feast of the Virgen del Carmen during mid July, the Feast of the Virgin de las Nieves during August and the Feast of the Holy Christ of Sweat as well as the Moros y Cristianos during October. Because a large portion of the local population consists of foreigners, there are also some festivities that have been influenced by their presence. One such festivity is the Bavarian festival known as the Oktoberfest, also celebrated during October.
It is a sign of a merging of cultures, of tourists becoming part of the local community of Calpe, Spain.