It is the picturesque Spanish town reminiscent of Chefchaouen for its blue-tinted streets.

The Valencian Community is home to some of the most spectacular wonders of the peninsula. Its connection with the Mediterranean Sea, added to the number of cultures that have inhabited the area for centuries, have made the territory an ideal enclave to discover the cultures of the past and the architectural gems that are still preserved.

More specifically, there is a town in the interior of the province of Valencia that stands out for its streets with blue facades and its mixture of historic buildings of Arab and Christian origin. This is how the town of Chelva, in the region of Los Serranos, has popularly earned the nickname of “Spanish Chefchaouen”.

Although the similarities with the Moroccan city are obvious, the Valencian city has much more to offer, making it an ideal destination for a weekend break.

The story of Chelva

The beginnings of the city of Chelva date back to the Bronze Age, since the enclave has Neolithic sites with remains of civilizations from ancient times. Thus, the enclave has a large number of Roman constructions still preserved, such as the aqueduct of Peña Cortada.

Despite this, the city reached its maximum splendor during the Muslim occupation of the peninsula, as evidenced by much of its architecture. It was taken several times by Christians and Arabs until the reconquest was finally completed.

It was then that King Jaime I donated to the Lord of Albarracín – Pedro Fernández de Azagra – all the castles of Chelva as well as those of other villages in the Valencian Community.

During the Germanías Rebellion, which took place in Valencia and Majorca, the city was occupied by the Germans and the viscount’s palace was attacked and burned. The city was also occupied several times during the Carlist Wars.

What to see in Chelva

The city of Chelva has been inhabited for years by different civilizations, such as the Romans, Arabs, Christians and Jews. For this reason, the enclave houses a large number of buildings – still preserved – among which it is possible to appreciate the passage of time and the multiple cultures.

One of the most remarkable buildings in the city is the Archpriest Church of Our Lady of the Angels, a work of Valencian Baroque style considered a Property of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 2006. Its construction began in 1626 and lasted 80 years, until its completion in 1706.

The church bell tower, built by Juan Bautista Pérez, has an original municipal clock that details the hours, days of the week and the month from just under 60 meters high.

Another of the main monuments of Chelva is the Viscondal Palace, built at the end of the 14th century. From there arise the walls whose remains are still preserved, which surround the entire city and which, together with the Palace, were considered BIC in 2006.

Inside the monument it is possible to see an Almohad fortress from the 12th century, which served as a base to continue expanding the building at the time. The number of cultures and civilizations that have passed through the enclave has determined that it should be restored today.

Both inside the space surrounded by the Palace and outside the city, the enclave has a large number of religious buildings. Some of the main ones are:

In addition, Chelva has a large number of wash houses (popular construction, mainly in the 19th and 20th centuries), which served as a meeting point, hygiene and meeting. In the municipality there are still seven laundries, which are:

The districts of Chelva

The multicultural mix that the enclave has known for centuries has nourished it both architecturally and culturally. Thus, walking through Chelva, it is possible to admire different neighborhoods with varied styles.

One of the best known neighborhoods is the Andalusian neighborhood of Benacacira, which dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Today it is possible to walk through its streets, since its urban layout is preserved intact, among which its dead ends, whitewashed houses and dark arcades stand out.

Although all the neighborhoods are recognizable, the most remarkable of the entire city of Chelva is the Moorish-Mudejar neighborhood of Arrabal. Created from the 14th century, it has serpentine layouts and several legends; such as that of the Viscount of Chelva, who, according to what is said, was murdered for his love with a Moor.

Another of the best known neighborhoods of the enclave is the Christian quarter of Ollerías, which was formed throughout the 14th century and owes its name to the kilns installed for the production of ceramics. It is possible to differentiate the Christian style, among other things, by the organization of its streets.