Genovés combines the history of pilota valenciana with historic buildings and trails through varied landscapes. The Museo de la Pilota provides a tangible starting point for exploring the game’s tradition; beyond the museum, routes lead to the banks of the Albaida, across ridges and towards Cova Negra. This makes it possible to get to know the town through its culture and landscape without combining these trails into a single tour.
Pilota Valenciana in Genovés
The Museo de la Pilota opened in Genovés in 2003 and is dedicated to pilota valenciana. Its collection features different types of balls, protective gear, photographs, playing clothes and models of different courts. The collection therefore ranges from equipment to depictions of the courts where the sport is played.
The museum includes a trinquet de pelota gorda where this form of the game can be played. If you would like to include this facility in your visit, check in advance whether it is open to the public. Some forms of pilota valenciana are also played at Genovés’s trinquet. There are also sculptures on this theme in the town: “El Saque,” a bronze figure by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench, depicts a pilota valenciana player.
Historic Buildings and Local History
Genovés’s history goes back to its time as an Arab alquería, which belonged to Muslim Xàtiva. Genovés became independent from Xàtiva in 1762. A notable element of its cultural heritage is the Font de Sant Pasqual, a fountain built in the Baroque style in 1777. Les Arcadetes del río Albaida, also known as Les Arcadetes de Alboi, is an aqueduct that formerly supplied water to Xàtiva.
Historic sites are also in focus in the town center: the municipality is working to restore or reclaim them, including the Ermita del Cristo del Calvari. This is an ongoing effort, not a claim that restoration has been completed. Those interested in the town’s development will find different layers of history here, from its historic ties to Xàtiva to current projects in the town center.
The Bajada del Santísimo Cristo del Monte Calvario
The Bajada del Santísimo Cristo del Monte Calvario is celebrated every year. Its procession runs from the Ermita del Monte Calvario to the parish church of Virgen de los Dolores and along Calvario, Sant Didac and Rosario streets. Participants include residents, people who live elsewhere but have ties to Genovés, and visitors from the comarca. In August 2026, the Bajada was recognized as a Bien Inmaterial de Relevancia Local and added to the Inventario General del Patrimonio Cultural Valenciano. If you are planning your trip specifically around the procession, check the event dates in advance.
Hiking Trails Between the Riverbank and the Ridge
The Ruta de la Salud passes through Genovés along the route connecting Genovés, Alboi and the Cova Negra natural area. Another option is the old Senda Camí d’Alboi trail: it connects Genovés with Alboi and the banks of the Albaida River, follows the river and is used to reach Cova Negra from there. This route focuses on the connection to the natural area and the riverside section.
The Senda Andaluza starts at the Fuente de San Juan in Alboi and is one of the four officially approved hiking trails in Genovés. Another route starts by the Albaida riverbank near the Xopà d’Alboi and Casa de la Luz, leads to Peña Blanca, follows the ridge of the Serra de la Solana and joins the Senda Andaluza. This route follows the boundary with Benigànim; check the current trail conditions before setting out.
Another hiking option, the Senda de la Ombría-Carbonera, crosses the highest part of the Serra de la Solana. It starts at Camino Manzano, which is also followed by the Senda Andaluza, and ends at the narrow Portet de Lucia trail, which connects with the Senda de la Peña Blanca. Another hiking trail starts in the town center, climbs gently to a prominent peak in the municipality and passes through a small pine forest on the northern slope of the Serra Grossa. The trails described therefore differ in their specific routes, from the riverbank to the wooded slope.
The Ruta del Agua de la Costera also reaches Genovés via the CV-610; its first waypoint is at the entrance to the town. This gives you a clear reference point when exploring this route.
Discover more destinations: Benifairó De La Valldigna, Navalón, Segart, Rugat, Torrent, Campo Olivar, Benissoda, Museros.
For the broader travel overview: Valencia.
