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Calpe
is a small costal town whose strategic
location on the coast has attracted many
voyagers and settlers throughout history.
Remains of Iberian tribes were discovered
around the skirts of the Rock of Ifach. Later,
the Romans founded a prosperous colony on the
coastal plain whose main activity was commerce
in dried, salted fish. Calpe entered a period
of redevelopment during the 18th century,
consolidating the town in the 19th century and
laying the foundations for its current
prosperity as a major attraction for both
national and international tourism.
The municipal district extends along the
gently-curving bay whose northern edge is
marked by the impressive Rock of Ifach. The
rock has been turned into a Nature Park and
provides shelter for a variety of plants, such
as the rockrose, tree germander and the Ifach
campion. This immense rock, towering to 332m,
just out into the sea to the punta de Carallot.
The summit can be reached via a pathway
tunnelled through solid rock, from which you
can enjoy a marvellous panorama of the
coastline, with the island of Ibiza being
visible on a clear day.
With small, rocky coves and wide, urban, fine
sandy beaches, Calpe has a wide variety of
attractive coastline where transparent waters
are the order of the day. Its beautiful,
peaceful coves include Les Bassetes, to the
north - a natural shelter that provides
perfect conditions for learning to sail and an
interesting sea bed carpeted with underwater
plants perfect for diving.
The local diving club and sailing school
ensure safe conditions for both activities. La
Fossa and El Arenal beaches offer a bustling
contrast with a complete range of services,
well-cared for promenade and summer rental
facilities for windsurf, pedal boats and jet
ski equipment.
The festivities calendar starts in February
with the Carnival, in which marching bands
from both Spain and Europe meet in Calpe. The
Fallas festivity is held in March, in which
monumental statues are ceremoniously put to
the flames on Lt. Josephs Day, the 19th .
There is a midsummers festival on June 24th.
August 5th marks the patron saints day of the
town -Virgen de las Nieves- with processions,
outdoor parties, fireworks, etc. In October,
after the Spanish-German Beer Festival, on the
22nd the fiestas in honour of the Santísimo
Cristo del Sudor are held and around the same
time, the fiestas of Moors and Christians are
celebrated also in honour of the patron saint.
Stroll round the ancient town centre and see
the typical fishermans houses in the towns
picturesque streets, then visit the Fiestas
Museum and finally go to the hermitage of San
Salvador on the hilltop. In the afternoon,
wander down to the fishing port and watch the
boats arrive with their daily catch. See the
auctions at the Fish Market (Lonja).Enjoy
local nature by travelling along the quiet
rural roads running through vineyards, olive
tree and almond orchards, or ascend the Rock
of Ifach to get a splendid panoramic view of
the entire area.
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