CULTURAL HERITAGE
The high historical value of Castalla's cultural heritage is the result of a long process of changes and transformations from Middle Ages to nowadays. It begins at the foot of the castle, where we could find the remains of the old-city walls or buildings like La Ermita de la Sang which was built during the 14th century and was the Main Church until 1571. In 1577 it became the see of La Cofradía de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo and changed its name as it is now.
The hermitage is a gothic building and it is divided into five naves with big archs and simulated chapels on both sides. The main axis is dominated by a rococo chamber where the Castalla's patron saint, La Virgen de la Soledad, is located. Being the patron's see, it has an outstanding symbolic and religious role during the Holy Week and the Moors and Christians festivities. We could also find the sacristy on the right and on the left, the stairs to the crypt which was used to bury the inhabitants of Castalla during the 14th century and 1571. Besides this communal crypt, there were familiar ones, as one of the Vilanova's, lords of Castalla, or one of the Perez's.
Population's growth during the 14th and 15th century boosted the creation of an irregular area outside de walls. Streets were narrow and steep with typical squares, as for example la Plaça de Sant Tomàs or la Plaça de Sant Antoni.
During the 16th and 17th century the urban scene turns regular with wider streets and squares and buildings like the church or the Town Hall. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built in the 16th century and shows the same structure of the Hermitage: one nave divided in five sections with chapels on both sides in gothic style. The main door dominates the end of el Carrer Major, while the bell tower is the surroundings reference point. During the 17th century the Carrer Major became the main street of the city and it was the stage of some of the most important local festivities, like the Holy Week or the Moors and Christians Fête.
This important street begins at one of the most significant urban spaces of the city: la Plaça Major. There we find the Town Hall. It was built in the 17th century and the ground floor was used as the marketplace until the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, it is still the headquarters of the local administration. Beside the Town Hall there is a Palace known as "the red house" by the colour of its façade. Not so far from the Plaça Major, there is another historic site of Castalla: the Sant Francesc de Paula Convent. It was built during the 18th and 19th century by The Order of the Minims, founded by Francis of Paula. Only the church is the original; the bell tower is a rebuilding and the cloister has disappeared.
In September it is also celebrated in the penultimate weekend another typical festivity: Les danses, an old celebration with popular dancing in which la dolçaina i el tabalet are played.
