The Ayora Valley can be found inland set amongst
unspoilt Spanish countryside. The valley is
divided into six villages which include Jalance,
Ayora, Cofrentes, Teresa, Zarra and Jarafuel.
With an abudance of wildlife including mountain
goats, the eagle and wild boars the area offers
total relaxation and tranquillity and is perfect
for a spot of fishing.
Agriculture plays an important part in the
economy of the region and the countryside is full
of fruits trees, almonds and olives, one of the
main products is honey and to celebrate they hold
a Honey Festival in October.
The capital of the valley, Ayora, has a 16th
century Church (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion),
which holds paintings by Yañez de la Almudaina
and Vicente Lopez. The building itself is a
mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture
and was constructed between 1508 and 1577.
The dominating castle of Ayora is of Arabic
origin, the castle is surrounded by two
fortresses and nearly a thousand metres of wall.
At the foot of the castle you have the Medieval
Church of Santa Maria.
Many of the crafts produced in the village of
Jalance are made from the wood of the nettle tree
and these include pitchforks, hangers, handles
etc. The town itself has picturesque alleyways
paved in stone and it is said that the waters
from the springs here provide healthy minerals
and medicinal qualities.
Cofrentes castle sits up high at approximately 95
metres and is surrounded by battlement walls.
During the restoration of the castle artefacts
were uncovered from Islamic, Roman and Iberian
times and there have also been articles found
dating back to the Bronze age.
The most traditional dish in the Ayora Valley is
without doubt the "gazpacho ayorino" that
consists of meat such as chicken or rabbit. It is
custom in Ayora to make "chazpach ás popular",
where all the people of the town prepare in their
frying pan gazpachos, and they share this with
their relatives and friends. "Agetao" is a
typical plate with white string beans cooked with
codfish and ajoaceite (garlic oil) this is made
for the festival of the Angel. Pastries include
"mead" or the almendraos and magdalenas many of
the products make use of the honey produced in
the area.
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