Benigembla

History

Muslim origin. In 1536, Benigembla was added to the Church Parish of Parcent. It belonged to the manor of the family Pedro Andrés until 1544. The town was mainly inhabited by Moorish (40 families in 1609). In this year, they rebelled when their expulsion was decreed. 4,000 soldiers commanded by Sancho de Luna took the town. In the XVIIIth Century, it was under the noble regiment control of the Count of Parcent. Later it belonged to the Cerda's family.

Monuments

• Parish Church of San José (in the late XVIIth Century and in the early XlXth Century) (1832). It is neoclassic style whereas the belfry is baroque style and it has three bells. In 1994, the church was restored and decorated.
• Agrarian Cooperative San Francisco Javier.
• Fountain and washing places.
• Buildings of riu raus.
• In 1958. a 3 high meter wall was built to protect the urban area against the floods of the river Xaló In the early XXth Century. at least 40 houses were swept along by these floods. Leisure point in the surrounding area of this wall.

Open-Air activities

• Municipal market (on Tuesdays).

Feast days

• San Honorato and San Antonio (16th-17th January). Religious festivals and blessing of bread.
• In August, San Jose (12th), San Agustin (13th) and San Francisco (14th, youths' day). Religious acts and bullfighting festivals.

Interesting places

• The washing place.
• Different fountains: Font de Baix, Font de Dalt, Font del Ullet, Font de Murteres, Font de Pascualest.
• Several eaves: Cova de l'Hedrera, Coves de la Cistella, la Cova Roja.
• Mountain of the Peñon or Cavall Verd (Green Horse).
• El Mirabó.
• Shady places with many specimens of ash trees and a little cellar.
• Ravine of Almadix.
• Outcrops of keuper in the Xaló river bed.

Handicrafts

• Palm baskets.
• Crochet.

Local cuisine

• Espencat
• Coques (almond sponge pie).
• Paella (rice cooked with vegetables, meat and fish).

Typical products

• Virgin Olive Oil sale in the Cooperative "La Protectora".