Situated
at the far point of land which looks eastward over the Mediterranean
Sea, Javea is both a working port and a tourist haven, where people
from all over northern Europe come both to live permanently, and also
to spend a few weeks of each year, soaking up the unique atmosphere
and culture that is Javea.
With
the Montgo mountain to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the
east, Javea is comprised of three distinctive areas; the Casco Urbano
(urban centre), the Port and the Arenal.
The
Casco Urbano contains much of the history of Javea including San
Bartolome Church, part of which dates back to 1244 when King Jaime
defeated the Moors there. San Bartolome Church is constructed from
Javea's local building material, tosca stone, which was extracted
from the sea.
The
Port has a very different feel to it from that of the Casco Urbano.
It is a working port where the fishermen, returning from their day's
work, sell off their catches each evening. Close to the harbour
is the marina where cruisers and yachts of all sizes are moored.
On the pedestrian precinct, the Marina Española, numerous
bars and restaurants serve tapas and local wines and beers.
The Arenal beach is a sandy beach which is raked at the end of each
day. On the esplanade which adjoins the beach, a variety of bars
and restaurants can be found, and, during the summer evenings, there
are numerous stalls selling handicrafts and jewellery and also musicians
and portrait artists.
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