Les Alqueries combines a completely flat, agricultural landscape with traces of different architectural and local histories. Highlights range from the defensive Torre de la Regenta and the El Replà complex to Modernist houses and a hike in the Betxí area. These points of interest sit side by side without necessarily forming a set sightseeing route.

Landscape and local history

The landscape of Les Alqueries is completely flat and shaped by orange groves, numerous alquerías and country houses. The town’s origins are also linked to this agricultural setting: Les Alqueries grew from a group of alquerías, or agricultural farmsteads, that were dependent on Vila-real. The landscape and local history thus offer two different ways to explore the destination: through its agricultural character and through the development of the settlement.

La Regenta and El Replà

La Regenta is a protected cultural monument. Torre de la Regenta is a very old defensive tower that was later incorporated into an agricultural residential complex. Its rectangular floor plan, height of 11.2 metres, loopholes, ground floor with a barrel vault and battlements offer specific insights into its architecture. The tower is on Camí de la Ratlla, near Vila-real, within an enclosed area. It is privately owned and used for agricultural purposes. Confirm access before setting out.

El Replà is a municipal heritage complex near the centre of Alquerías del Niño Perdido. The complex includes Iglesia Vella del Replà, La Casona del Replà and El Aljibe del Replà. One of its buildings dates from the 16th century and was extensively remodelled in the mid-19th century. The parish church of Nuestra Señora del Niño Perdido is classified as a “Bien de Relevancia Local” (a local heritage asset).

Buildings and historical traces

Public buildings and former school buildings also shape the town’s architectural character. The town hall is located in Chalé de Safont, a building in the Modernist and Neoclassical styles. La Palmera is a striking former school dating from the 1930s. A walk through the town also reveals interesting Modernist houses. These buildings add further architectural styles and uses to the history represented by the defensive tower and heritage complex.

The historical traces extend beyond architecture: Torrasa contains Iberian remains, and Les Alqueries has numerous Muslim remains. A Roman bridge is located at Riu Sec. Together, these sites and structures offer different points of interest for those interested in architectural and local history, without the individual finds necessarily forming a single sightseeing route.

Festivals and a trip to Betxí

A monolith commemorates the independence of Les Alqueries; the Fiesta de la Segregación is also held in June to mark the occasion. The 2024 patron saint festivities were held in honour of the Virgen del Niño Perdido. The 2024 programme included a bull event featuring eight bulls, a daily running of the cows in the bullfighting enclosure, and the traditional Calderas meal. If you are planning a trip around the festivities, check the latest dates and programme details.

For an outing in the surrounding area, an easy, almost flat hike leads through orange groves to the nearby Muntanyeta de Sant Antoni in Betxí. It offers a landscape-based complement to the historic buildings and remains. When planning, you can choose between a focus on architectural and local history and an outing into the orange groves, without treating the hike as a sight within Les Alqueries.

Discover more destinations: Cabanes, Moncófar, Fuentes De Ayódar, Atzeneta del Maestrat, Sant Joan de Moró, Castell De Cabres, Xilxes, Aín

For the wider travel overview: Castellon.