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Benissa was an important Arabic settlement called Banu-Issa until it was invaded by the Christian army of Jaime I the Conqueror in 1248. The Moors remaining were then converted to Christianity and became known as Moriscos. The Moriscos were expelled from the area in 1609 and the area was repopulated with people from the Pyrenees, Cataluna and Aragon. Benissa has 4km of coastline with quiet bays between pine woods and cliffs including the beaches of La Fustera and Las Bassetes. The town itself is 275 metres above sea level and some 5km inland. The road winds through many cultivated terraces where you can see almond trees, olive trees and grape vines. Webcam at Las Basettes. You need Java loaded onto your computer to watch the webcam, if you do not have it click here to download it - Java In the town square you will see the church of the Purissima, commonly known as the Church of the Marina and featured on the 26 centimos stamp of 2003. The church is the symbol of Benissa, it was built in the 1920’s by local craftsmen and is dedicated to the Purissima Xiqueta - the patron saint of Benissa - who is enshrined behind the altar. In Benissa fiestas are held nearly all year but the main one is held in April in honour of the Purissima. During this fiesta you can see processions, carnival floats, street dancing, spectacular fireworks and most exciting of all, bull running. A word of warning though, if you decide to join in with the bull running you are not considered to have really tried unless you touch the horn. |
