TRAVEL REPORT
From Gill Moorcroft
REPORT ON THE DAY TRIP TO CONCENTAINA - Thursday 20th October
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Our coach driver headed north for our journey to Concentaina, which is located in the folds of the east end of the Sierra Mariola Nature Park. The oldest origins of Concentaina date back 40,000 years and towards the end of the 11th century, was the capital of a large Islamic region which covered the entire northern part of the present day Alicante province.
As luck would have it (well, for the ladies, at least) we arrived in time for their local market. We were also able to have a coffee and a wander around the old town of Concentaina. Notably we were able to see the fonts which were situated in a landscaped square, traditionally the location of various public services, such as the fountain with five spouts, the water troughs, the ancient laundry and the old slaughterhouse.
We then all met up at the tourist office where we had a guide to take us around a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Miracle. An annual fiesta is held on April 19th to commemorate the miracle of the tears of the Virgin, which took place on this same day in 1520. We were also taken around the Earl’s Palace which was constructed in the 13th and 14th century in fortress style and converted in the 15th century into a palace. This was made most interesting by the enthusiasm of our guide who was also on hand to answer all our questions.
Following the visit to the Earl’s Palace, we made our way to the restaurant where we were booked in for a very pleasant lunch. Our driver took a different route home to make the journey more interesting for everyone.
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