Relleu

Where is Relleu?

Relleu is in the South East of Spain, in the area affectionately known as the Costa Blanca, it is in the province of Alicante. You can arrive in the town from three different airports. The first airport, Alicante airport, is the closest at 61.9 km which is about 50 minutes drive. The next airport by distance is Murcia airport at one and a half hours drive, about 145 km. To the north there is also Valencia airport which is just under 175 km, one hour and 50 minutes driving time.

The town is to the north west of Benidorm, to the north east of Alicante city, and is surrounded by several small towns including Finestrat, Orxeta, Sella, Torremanzanas, Xixona, L’Alfas del Pi, and La Nucia.

Relleu accommodation

Self catering houses, guest houses, camping facilities, and hotels, are some of the places where you can stay in the Costa Blanca. There are accommodation styles to suit all levels of finance. One rural hotel that has got some good reviews is the Las Puertas del Indiano which is situated on Carre Alacant, 23, 03578 Relleu. They can be contacted by telephoning 0034966856326. This rural casa is dedicated to health tourism. Apart from the accommodation and catering staff, Las Puertas del Indiano employs a qualified physician and a chiropractor. They offer a variety of treatments including aromatherapy, steam baths, facial aesthetic treatments, intensive pedicures, etc. The cost of a room during a weekend night is between €80 and €90.

Car rental in Relleu

If you are thinking of staying in the town then you will need to rent a car. Your best bet is to either rent a car from the airport as you arrive, or you can pick up a car rental in one of the cities. Car hire in Alicante city is going to be a bit cheaper than renting at the airport. To take advantage of everything that the province has to offer you should also try and rent a GPS system and get a good guidebook.

What to see in Relleu

History

The name is taken from the local Valencian language pertaining to a relief area, aptly describing the area surrounded by a rough patch of land. It originated as a farmstead built by the Muslims, much like the origins of the other towns in the region. Relleu Castle was built during this time. As the lands within the region were conquered through the conquest of King Jaime I, ownership of the town was passed from the Muslims to Bernado de Sarria. Relleu was attached to the parish of the municipality of Finestrat until the year 1535. In 1609, prior to the expulsion of the Moors, they had grown to add up to 70 houses in the village. The Muslim families fled to the mountains following a government order requiring all residents to be converted to the Christian faith. Because of this, only around 15 families of Christians remained in the village. However, the town continued to grow. By the start of the 20th century, the village was known to have had some of the largest population numbers in the area. This increase was influenced by its proximity to the Amadorio River which provided the water to irrigate the farms. Currently however, much of the residents have transferred out of the village reducing the numbers significantly again.

Architecture

The Muslims and Christians that have settled in the village of Relleu built a number of structures that continue to stand to this day. There are several structures built for a more defensive purpose. These include the Relleu Castle, the Tower House Balde, the Tower Vallonga and Garrofera’s fortified house. The fortified structure is square shaped with additional features consisting of turrets built for defense. Its layout is typical of a Catalan farmhouse with a broad corridor. At the back portion is a large kitchen with a hearth and grazers used to bake bread.

Besides structures used in protecting the village, it is also common to see a number of structures built for spiritual purposes. This includes the Parish Church of Saint James as well as the Ermita de San Alberto. Built during the 17th century, the parish takes pride in having the oldest bells in the province. The parish went through a process of being torn down during the late 19th century but was later rebuilt. The rebuilding process was finished in 1931. On the other hand, tourists will also enjoy heading for the shrine. Located on an elevated area near the center of the village, tourists will get a great glimpse of the town as well as the surrounding areas.

Tourist Attraction

In addition to the shrine which gives a quick look of the surrounding areas, tourists can also travel to the nearby Relleu Swap. Built during the 18th century, it was initially used as a dam. The structure currently has no use but continues to draw crowds because of its size.

What to do

When in Relleu during one of its special holidays, visitors will take pleasure in seeing the best of the local culture. Each of the towns in Spain has their own specific set of holidays celebrated apart from those celebrated nationally. One of the most important is the Schutzheiligenfest, dedicated to the town’s patron saint. In the village of Releu, the final weekend of September is devoted to the Virgen del Milagro and the Saints Cosmas and Damian. Common activities include filling the streets with color, cooking paella, correfoc as well holding a series of musicals and fireworks.

Sport

Spanish towns in this part of the province are active in sports, encouraged by the physical surroundings and the climate. The town has numerous facilities for sports. These include facilities for swimming and indoor football.

Golf Courses

Relleu golfing is an additional feature when visiting the area. There are numerous golf courses known around the world and are easily accessible through major roads and highways. Some of the nearest golf courses are around the area of Benidorm and Finestrat. These include Las Rejas Golf and the Villaitana Wellness Golf and Business Resort in Benidorm as well as the Sierra Cortina Resort Pitch and Putt in Finestrat.

What can you eat in Relleu

This province of Spain boasts gastronomy from numerous areas around the world. To name a few, there is food from Spain, Germany, China, France, and Hungary. There will be other pleasant national cuisines if you search for them. You certainly have to be finicky if you cannot discover something to fit your tastes in this area. One restaurant that has received good reviews is the Restaurant L’era which is situated on Calle de Evarist Manero Molla, 44, 03578 Relleu and can be contacted by phone on here is a 34966856449.

The weather conditions in Relleu

Just as it is everywhere in the province, the weather conditions in Relleu are in general fairly warm and sun-drenched. The winters are temperate and sunny the summers are wonderful and hot. The invariable warmth can now and then be broken up by an unusual drizzly day or two. Some of the thunderstorms can be impressive.