Atalaya Castle – Santa Maria Church loop from Villena

Atalaya Castle – Santa Maria Church loop from Villena

Moderate

5.0

(2)

riders

Atalaya Castle – Santa Maria Church loop from Villena

02:06

46.1km

270m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.15 km

Atalaya Castle

Highlight • Castle

A very interesting castle from the 14th century. Recommended!
No information is known about the original Muslim castle. The castle was first mentioned in 1240 when it was captured during the conquest of the region around Valencia by Jaime I of Aragon.

In the 1970s, the castle's tourist value was recognized and extensive renovation work began. In 1976, Atalaya was declared a monument of national importance. What a good idea! The castle is breathtakingly beautiful and worth a detour!

As a sign of his power, the royal favorite of Juan II, namely Juan Pacheco, had Atalaya Castle expanded into a representative fortification, which essentially corresponds to the castle's current state. In 1480, Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs, took over the castle. They enfeoffed the Count of Ságasto with the rule. The castle subsequently began to decay.

Translated by Google •

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1.45 km

Santa Maria Church

Highlight • Castle

This church was built in the 16th century on the site of the old Muslim main mosque of Villena, at which time it became the church of El Rabal, the suburb outside the medieval walls of Villena.

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45.4 km

María Auxiliadora Church (Villena)

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The Church of Mary Help of Christians (Salesians) in Villena.

Founded in 1917 along with the Salesian House of Villena.

The image of Mary Help of Christians arrived in solemn procession from the Parish of Santa María on May 4, 1918.
During the Spanish Civil War, the altars were destroyed, but the building remained intact.
It has been a key spiritual and educational center in the city, linked to the Salesian legacy and the figure of Don Bosco.

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46.1 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

41.1 km

2.52 km

2.03 km

460 m

Surfaces