The best option to get to know the Albufera? Boat
Let's say you take advantage of your vacation weeks to spend a few days of tranquility in the famous Cullera. But after a few days at the beach, beach bars and parties, you feel like also make some different plan.
What options do you have? We have thought of several nearby alternatives with a lot of contact with nature in case the adventurous bug bites you. Are you coming?
Smell of saltpeter and rice fields. Labradors, herons and generous wind will be your traveling companions on the way to our first must: the famous Albufera Natural Park. One of the most recognized wetlands in the country whose lagoon is located about 25 kilometers from Cullera.
Surprisingly quiet despite its size, or possibly because of it, the Albufera is far from being just a tourist attraction. It is pride and life. Backbone spirit and food source.
Several centuries after the local population began to be attracted by its wonderful possibilities, many people still depend on it for fishing, rice farming or hunting.
For the people of the area, the Albufera is like a mother: He will always respect and care for her. And as soon as you go you will understand why.
The immense rice fields of the Albufera
As we said, the Albufera Park has a considerable extension – 21,120 hectares; that each one make their estimate in soccer fields – so knowing it in its entirety is something that requires a lot of time.
If the visit is for a few hours, we recommend accessing from the interpretation center or from the Gola del Pujol pier, where they have observatories to be able to contemplate the calm waters and the numerous species of birds that rent their nooks and crannies for a few months.
You can walk around or, if you prefer, the favorite option of visitors: take a boat ride. The boat tour is a highly demanded idea both among tourists and among the local population.
The smell of saltpeter and rice fields in the Albufera Natural Park
Captained by experienced skippers, you will enjoy the lagoon in depth and feel like a character from Blasco Ibáñez's novels. while the salt, the wind and the sun play on your skin.
The trip usually lasts about 45 minutes and it does not exceed 5 euros, with the peace of mind that it is not necessary to book in advance.
Definitely it's worth waiting until sunset to get on one of the boats. The stillness, the silence only broken by the chirping of the birds and the water crashing against the hull of the boat gradually prevail, a few magical moments, fleeting sunset.
The sunset in the Albufera: a magical moment
If it is not possible for you to enjoy those minutes suspended in the lagoon, do not worry. The Gola del Pujol viewpoint is a good alternative site for this purpose. People come as if it were Es Vedrà, in Ibiza. Many are accompanied by their cameras, but Keep as quiet as possible in a few fragile minutes of collective introspection.
You cannot say goodbye to the Albufera without first paying your gastronomic respects. This area of the province of Valencia offers, perhaps, the best rice dishes in the country, as well as magnificent seafood and without forgetting its famous citrus fruits.
However, we are going to get away from the traditional paella and oranges to introduce you –if you haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting you– the all i pebre, a stew based on eels and potatoes much loved by the Valencians but not yet well known outside its borders.
It is without a doubt in El Palmar where the greatest cult is paid to this identity delicacy. In fact, numerous contests have been held among local restaurants to celebrate this dish and determine who can prepare it best.
As we did not fall into the calm Albuferean waters on the boat ride, we are not going to get wet here either: choose the restaurant you choose to taste the all i pebre you'll be right
All i pebre, don't leave without trying it
From the marsh we moved to the mountains. From the reeds, to the pines. From the sea, to the forest. One of the fascinating things about this corner that surrounds Cullera is how much the landscape changes in just a few steps.
A loosely compacted land is incapable of completely curbing the force of the sea, which camouflages itself a few kilometers in, taking the form of wetlands
The sun, aristocratic, does not understand concessions and although the rice fields ask for mercy they do not obtain it, incapable of covering everything and giving way to drier soils, where orange, persimmon and palm trees have moved.
These neighbors do not like, however, the highest apartments and therefore it will be very strange that you come across one in The Murta.
The valley of La Murta is a Municipal Natural Area (PNM) that is only 20 kilometers from Cullera, boxed in between the Sierra de Corbera -Locality to which we will go later- and the Sierra de Agujas.
The visit to La Murta is completely different from the Albufera. The smell of saltpeter cannot make its way to this forest, but the fragrance of rosemary and thyme will accompany us at all times.
La Murta is a valley much appreciated by lovers of hiking, of those who opt for boots instead of sandals. Pines, laurels and strawberry trees they sway between emerald sparkles, as well as the myrtle bushes that give the place its name.
The Sierra de Corbera: an ideal place for the most adventurous
The forest paths can take you on numerous routes. As in the Albufera, Going through the place in its entirety would take several days, time we don't have.
Walking aimlessly –which is not the same as getting lost– in contact with the lush vegetation is as good an idea as follow one of the routes already prepared . We really like the monastery of Santa Maria de la Murta, which is a Site of Cultural Interest.
Protected from the closest urban centers, nestled in the thick of the mountain, a relaxing sensation of peace passes through the body when you sniff around the stately tower, the large rafts or the charming aqueduct in the surroundings. An overwhelming isolation in which the Hieronymite monks indulged in introspection.
The legs ask for more and the clock winks at us, so why not continue the path from the monastery to the well-known Cardinal's Cross.
The walk to the peak where the cross is nailed, at about 550 meters high, becomes a little more difficult but if you go easy you will reach the top without problems. The reward will be beautiful views of the green mantle that covers the valley, and also we can see Cullera in the distance.
Monastery of Santa Maria de la Murta
Cullera and its surroundings are part of a piece of land that carries a lot of history behind it. Prehistoric, Iberian, Roman, Muslim or Christian reconquest remains The plains and hills of the region truffle without modesty.
Unfortunately, many of them are very poorly preserved, some of them completely in ruins, although it seems that the administration is beginning to show interest and is giving some first steps against abandonment prevailing until now.
Maybe he corbera castle be the jewel in the crown of this historical-cultural complex that was turned away for a long time and that is now being studied for rehabilitation.
In ruins, but still with the walls and its famous albarrana tower standing, in its corners we hear Muslim and Christian whispers.
during a time boasted great strategic value although its splendor was left behind a few centuries ago, as evidenced by the intramural remains.
Only the buttresses of the homage tower and some supposed Arab baths still face the wind, the vegetation of the place and oblivion, attractive decadence.
Corbera Castle, a strategic place in the Muslim and Christian times
Some inhabitants of Corbera sometimes go up to imagine what life would be like in the castle in its moment of maximum splendor.
Nonetheless, It is advisable to climb with extreme caution, watching carefully where we step and, if possible, be accompanied by someone who knows the terrain. There is no record of any incident but in a ruin it is better to be cautious.
There is something always melancholic, magical, intriguing, attractive in the ruins of buildings that in the past stood proudly. Some walls that still look more proud to continue standing despite so many years and so much exposure to the elements.
This does not mean that it is important to carry out conservation and rehabilitation works to learn more about the past, increase cultural capital and, why not, promote tourist attraction.
Cullera, without going any further, understood it years ago, as we can see in its rebuilt castle. And also the municipality of Simat de la Valldigna, 25 kilometers away from our starting point. The reason why we suggest you visit Simat is so that you can admire its famous monastery.
Conservation work is essential to preserve the value of the monastery
Among orange trees and perfectly conditioned for our visit. This is how he welcomes us Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldigna, that receives the name of real because it was entrusted in 1298 to the Cistercian Order by the monarch Jaime II of Aragon.
During its centuries of activity it managed to become an important focus of power in the area, something that is reflected in the size and level of the monastic rooms.
Within opening hours you can walk around the complex as you please, although we certainly prefer the guided visit, in which you can learn about the lifestyle of the religious and the importance of the monastery over the years.
You will find that in some points the monastery is still in the process of restoration But don't be alarmed, it's normal.
The Disentailment of Mendizábal (first half of the 19th century, according to our institute books) marked the beginning of the decline of this religious center. A decline that did not begin to slow down until the end of the dictatorship.
It was in 1991 when the reconstruction work began and that is why today we can all enjoy this interesting visit.
Cloister of Silence of the famous monastery