Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in the 1970s, the Barri de la Vila is one of the most representative medieval quarters in the Valencian region. This is where Ontinyent was born: in the early 15th century it was the third most populous town south of the Júcar river, after Xàtiva and Orihuela. Perched above the Clariano river, La Vila holds the essence of the town in its streets, alleys and dead-end lanes.
A walk through La Vila
You can enter through the Sant Roc gate or up the steep Pujada del Fossaret. The Carrer Major de la Vila (or de la Trinitat) still has a stately air, with stone-arched doorways and ashlar corners. Heading down, you reach the Plaça de Sant Pere, the Callarís and streets whose names keep their history, such as Cordellat or de l'Església. Restored façades painted in bright colours have brought the quarter back to life. From the far side of the Santa Maria bridge you can see the hanging houses built on the remains of the town walls, with the deep riverbed below.
The Palau de la Vila
At the north-western tip of the old town, above the river, stands the Palau de la Vila, or Palace of the Duchess of Almodóvar, probably built on a Moorish fortress. After King James I conquered the town around 1245 it became a royal residence and later a noble palace. It is a Site of Cultural Interest, was restored between 2008 and 2011, and now houses the town council chamber, the Gegants i Cabets Museum and the Tourist Office.
Santa Maria and the bell tower
The church of Santa Maria was built mainly between the 14th and 16th centuries, probably on the site of the old mosque. Highlights include vaults modelled on those of the Silk Exchange in Valencia, by master builder Benet Oger (1518-1530), and one of the finest Renaissance doorways in the region (around 1535). The silver image of the town's patron saint is kept in the Puríssima chapel.
Its bell tower, begun in 1689, is over 71 metres tall: the tallest in the Valencian Community, with 13 bells. It can be seen from anywhere in town.
The Plaça Major
At the foot of the walls, the Plaça Major has been the centre of public life since the 16th century. It is presided over by the old town hall (Casa del Consell), and opposite stands the Palace of the Counts of Torrefiel, today's town hall, with a Gothic stone doorway identical to the one in the Golden Hall of the Palau de la Generalitat in Valencia. Every August the wooden castle for the Moors and Christians embassies is built here.
