Discover the secrets of Orihuela

Steeped in history and culture, Orihuela is one of the jewels of the Costa Blanca, and the perfect choice for anyone wishing to relocate to a traditional Spanish city.

Scenery
If you are dreaming of settling down in a charming Spanish city, which is well connected, and yet far enough away from the rat race to offer a calm and peaceful atmosphere, then Orihuela city is just the ticket. Orihuela spans nearly 400 km2, and is known as the historical capital of the Vega Baja with a history dating back to September 1437, when it was declared the first city of Alicante Province. The district of Orihuela can be divided into three very distinctive areas with contrasting landscapes and industries, including the coast, known as Orihuela Costa, which has a thriving expat community and is an extremely popular tourist destination. Then there is the countryside which takes in the beautiful Pedrera Reservoir and surrounding orchards. As one of the region’s principal agricultural areas, the roads surrounding the city are lined with green fertile valley where acres of orange and lemon groves thrive. Finally we come to the city itself, which has expanded dramatically over the past decade, also due to the influx of foreign residents, but managed to retain its Spanish charm and character. From a population of some 34,000 people, the vast majority of the city’s residents are Spaniards, giving expats the perfect opportunity to adopt the culture, make new friends and learn the lingo. In fact, if it weren’t for the cluster of shops, bars and restaurants, along with the multitude of historical buildings and places of interest, you might easily mistake this for a village, with a buzz of community spirit and locals bumbling around in no great hurry to be anywhere.

Climate
One of the first questions which expats tend to consider when deciding upon their new location is “What’s the weather like?” After all, if the UK and Ireland could offer us 365 days of beautiful sunshine the chances are that we wouldn’t be leaving! Although Orihuela cannot quite promise wall to wall sunshine all year round, it does give an average 315 days per year, with the average temperature leveling at 20 degrees and extremely low levels of rainfall. July and August are generally the hottest months, with temperatures rising to about 42 degrees in the city, and falling to around 10 degrees in January and February. In that sense, you can quite comfortably take advantage of “outdoor living” throughout the year, and may even find that its warmer outside than in during the daytime, even in the winter!

Closer To Nature
If you are a nature lover, you will be happy to learn that Orihuela city is bordered by a multitude of flora and fauna, and is even home to the second largest palmeral park in Europe! In this part of Spain a palmeral is a type of farming which was introduced by the Moors, who used to plant palm trees in between plots- a tradition that worked well and thus has survived over centuries. Orihuela’s palmeral is located on the borders of the historical centre, starting at the foot of the Sierra de Orihuela mountain range. The area has been declared a Cultural Heritage Site and provides the perfect location for nature spotting, picnicking, or a pleasant stroll. A second natural park, “Pinar de Bonanza” is situated just outside of the city, and is also a popular route for natural trails, cycling and hiking. The River Segura runs through the heart of Orihuela, lending itself to a leisurely walk, which the locals will usually follow up with a glass of wine (or two) and a selection of authentic tapas at one of the bars en route. The majority of restaurants along the river walk also offer a “Menu del Dia”, menu of the day, with a choice of regional specialties at extremely low prices- an affordable ritual that you will be happy to get used to!

Beaches
You will need to drive some 19 kilometres to Orihuela Costa to enjoy a day at the beach, but won’t be disappointed when you get there, as there are five golden sandy stretches to choose from: La Zenia, Mil Palmeras, Cabo Roig, Punta Prima and Playa Flamenca. All of the beaches are accredited with a European standard “Blue Flag”, and surrounded by a variety of amenities to guarantee a perfect family day out. Orihuela Costa has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, so you may find that the beaches get rather busy during high season. However, as a local you will have the liberty of picking your times, and will find that you have the beach almost all to yourself during cooler months, which are still pleasant enough for bathing.

History and Culture
Orihuela certainly offers an education in history and culture, with a plethora of churches, galleries, museums, and monuments to explore. You will find that the locals are extremely proud of their heritage, and those of the older generation in particular will be more than happy to share some of the finer points with you as a newcomer. You will be encouraged to note that some of Europe’s most influential composers, novelists, artists and poets hail from the city, including the likes of the great literary figure, Miguel Hernandez, whose legacy lives on through the “Casa Museo Miguel Hernandez”, a house which he inhabited from 1914 to 1934. Hernandez was born and raised in Orihuela, and worked as a farmhand and herdsman on his Father’s land for many years. The solitary years in the fields led him to develop a special bond with nature; and a creativity that he began to express through writing poetry, and thus he became one of the greatest Spanish poets of all time. The Miguel Hernandez Museum retains the furniture which was typical of the last century, as well as a collection of original photographs and important aspects of his life.

Places of Interest
Orihuela is known for its deeply religious connections, which are reflected in its buildings, daily activities and annual fiestas. There are a number of churches and other religious monuments located within the city, including the Gothic and Baroque style “Santa Justa y Rufina” Church; the Santiago Parish Church; and Our Lady of Montserrate, which is a Baroque temple in the form of a cross. The Salesian Monastery also lies within the heart of the city, on the remains of a Jesuit College. Today it operates more like a museum, housing a fascinating collection of works by the Court Painter, Vicente Lopez. Then there is the city’s Cathedral “El Salvador y Santa Maria” which was built as a church on the grounds of an ancient mosque during the 12th Century, ascending in importance to become a cathedral in 1510. The building has been renovated several times, with the addition of a very ornate entrance called “Door of Loreto” during the 15th Century, through which you will find a stunning Baroque style organ. The Cathedral also displays evidence of Catalan Gothic and Renaissance style architecture and is well worth a visit. Another monument which will interest culture vultures is The Palace of Rubalcalva, which was inhabited by a local family up until 1933, becoming property of the town in 1976. It is now open to the public as a stately home, and features a luxurious sweeping staircase, leading to the noble main salons. These comprise the red salon where family portraits and other memorabilia are displayed; the yellow salon, which is available to hire for weddings and other special occasions; and the French style dance hall or “hall of mirrors” as it is better known. The Casino Orcelitano with its beautiful tiled patio and the Teatro Circo concert hall are also popular haunts for local people, offering a variety of performances that will quickly make your daily soap opera fix a thing of the past!

Shopping
Orihuela city hosts a vast spectrum of shops, ranging from food superstores such as Mercadona and Lidl, to more specialist stores and clothing boutiques. The city centre is easy to navigate on foot, with cobbled winding streets and a traditional central plaza featuring fountains and plenty of shaded benches where you can sit and watch the world go by. The city has two very popular local markets, operating on Tuesdays and Fridays, with stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to flowers and leather goods. You will also find a number of important government buildings such as the main Social Security office, PROP Residents Office, Town Hall, Court Building and Tourist Information situated within the centre. These locations are all worth noting as you are bound to need to visit most of them at some point, particularly during your first few months in Spain. Just outside of the centre you will find the “Ociopia” Centro Commercial, a modern open air mall which is home to a wide selection of high street clothing stores, children’s clothing stores, shoe shops, phone shops, jewellers, a DIY superstore and various eateries and cafes. The mall even has its own cinema, with ample free parking available to customers. Just a short car journey away in Orihuela Costa you will also find the shopper’s heaven, La Zenia Boulevard, which opened in September 2012 to become the largest shopping mall in the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida region. The Boulevard is open late seven days per week, including bank holidays, and is home to some 150 stores and over 20 bars and restaurants, plus a secure children’s play area.

Fiestas
Finally, Spain would not be the same without its fiestas, and expats are always interested to know what is happening in their new home. With its rich culture and heritage, Orihuela will certainly not disappoint, with a fiesta of some description taking place almost every month! It is particularly famous for the grand processions that take place during Semana Santa, or Easter week, characterized by a group of “Cofradias” who are trained to carry hefty floats and monuments symbolizing the death and resurrection of Christ. The events continue throughout the entire week, reconstructing the story as it unfolded each day. Another significant fiesta for Orihuela is that of the Moors and Christians, which takes place in July and virtually everyone living in the city becomes involved in some way! In fact, as the activities are incredibly loud and continue throughout the day and night, if you live locally you have little choice but to join the party! Otherwise known as the Re-conquest fiestas, the celebration gives a dramatic interpretation of how Christian troops arrived during the 13th Century, and triumphed over the Saracens to claim back the land. Impressive costumes, ferocious battles and endless firework displays are all central to the fiestas. ¡Viva España!