| Formentera del Segura - Originally a Moorish | | | | the Muslim occupation (eighth to thirteenth |
| village, Formentera del Segura was conquered by | | | | centuries) making the soil perfect for the growing |
| the Christian king Jaime I ('The Conquistador') in | | | | of fruit and vegetables. The original village was set |
| 1242, the village changed hands a number of | | | | up by James Rocamora in 1494, he built 29 |
| times over the prevailing centuries until 1730 when | | | | dwellings for 29 families to live and work in the |
| it came under control of Nicolas Pérez de | | | | village - his work was carried on by his son |
| Sarrio (The Lord of Formentera), who gave the | | | | Jeronimo de Rocamora, the church of San |
| village its current name. Largely destroyed by the | | | | Jeronimo still stands today. |
| great earthquake of 1829, Formentera del Segura | | | | Albatera - Lying to the north of the village of |
| was re-built by 1840 culminating in the building of | | | | Cox, Albatera is another of the traditional Spanish |
| the parish church. Relying mostly on agriculture | | | | towns of the Vega Baja district of the Alicante |
| and citrus farming for its survival Formentera del | | | | province, its white-walled houses sit quietly on |
| Segura benefits from an irrigation system put into | | | | wide, palm-lined streets giving it a peaceful, |
| place by the Moors centuries ago. One of its most | | | | pleasant feel. Life in Albatera centres mainly |
| popular fiestas is 'The Day of the Bicycle' | | | | around the Town Square, the location for many |
| featuring a race involving many of its inhabitants. | | | | of its fiestas and celebrations, also in the Town |
| Rojales - A pretty village located on the banks of | | | | Square there is an attractive church with a |
| the Segura river, Rojales has been able to keep | | | | stunning baroque style door, intricately carved in |
| its traditional Spanish feel, despite the onslaught of | | | | stone. The popular Albatera Golf and Country Club |
| tourism and property development. With a history | | | | is some 5 km away from the town. |
| stretching back to the Arab Occupation, Rojales | | | | Redovan - A busy little town located in the Vega |
| still has evidence of irrigation systems put into | | | | Baja region of the southern Costa Blanca, |
| place by the Moors during their time in the area. | | | | Redovan was founded by the Moors during the |
| Worth visiting while in Rojales are the Water | | | | Arab occupation (8th to 13th Centuries). Situated |
| Wheel, the Azud, the Charles III bridge and the | | | | just 7 km from the main town of Orihuela, |
| Gasparito Wells, also worth a look are the cave | | | | Redovan sits at the foot of the Sierra Segura, a |
| houses at El Rodeo, where a regular craft market | | | | beautiful mountain area covered in pine trees. |
| is held. | | | | Over the centuries Redovan has been an |
| La Aparecida - Situated about 6 km from the | | | | important area for the production of ceramics and |
| ancient town of Orihuela, the tiny village of La | | | | is also known for its hemp and hemp products. |
| Aparecida is the last village in the province of | | | | Notable in Redovan is the old city hall with its hand |
| Alicante, sitting as it does, right on the border with | | | | crafted clock tower dating from the 18th |
| Murcia province. The village became a centre of | | | | Century. |
| attention in 1992 when the Olympic Torch passed | | | | Orihuela - The capital of the Vega Baja region of |
| through La Aparecida on its way to the Olympic | | | | the Alicante province, Orihuela is an ancient town |
| Stadium in Barcelona, normally a quiet, sleepy | | | | with a long and distinguished history. Though there |
| village, La Aparecida has seen little to compare | | | | were settlements in the area during the Bronze |
| before or since this historic event. Worth a visit in | | | | Age, Orihuela came into its own during the Roman |
| La Aparecida is the local church, the Nuestra | | | | occupation when it was known as Auraiola, later |
| Señora de Belen, with its 'Milk Grotto' | | | | an important headquarters for the Moors under |
| containing a picture of Mary feeding the baby | | | | Teodomiro it was re-conquered for the Christians |
| Jesus. | | | | in 1296. Recognised for its large number of |
| Benferri - The delightful village of Benferri is ideally | | | | beautiful churches, palaces and monasteries, |
| located in a triangle between Alicante, Murcia and | | | | Orihuela also has several museums that are worth |
| Orihuela, it is one of the Vega Baja (Low Fertile | | | | visiting while in the town. |
| Valley) villages situated in rich citrus farming | | | | So ends our short visit to Formentera del Segura |
| country. The land around Benferri was irrigated | | | | and its neighbouring Costa Blanca towns and |
| first by the Romans and later by the Arabs during | | | | villages. |