Holidays in the mountain village of Quatretondeta.

The village dates back to the Moorish occupation and owes its unusual name to the first written record of the village, which noted that there were 4 (Cuatro) houses occupied by a Moorish family named Tonda.

It has 2 claims to fame in its history; in 1924 it democratically elected the 1st Lady Mayoress in Spain and probably Europe. The relatives of this lady still have letters from the King of Great Britain and other European Heads of State congratulating her.

The other is that it was the home of Spains most prolific author Rafael Perez i Perez, who wrote 157 romantic novels in his life time, he is said to have sold more books in foreign languages than any other Spanish author in history.

Like so many other Spanish villages, Quatretondeta has been facing a slow death with the elderly population not being replaced. The population has fallen from a peak of almost 700 in 1965 to todays 120.

After 40 years of deterioration 2005 saw the first signs of regeneration, public money is being spent renewing the village infrastructure, people who moved away from Quatretondeta are renovating houses and returning and the last 6 months has seen the first increase in population in 40 years . This has been helped along by our development has we are now providing full our part time jobs for 6 to 7 locals.

Some 12 miles from Quatretondeta are the historic towns of Alcoy and Cocentaina.

Alcoy is famous for holding the oldest and most spectacular Moors and Christians fiesta in Spain, held each year around St Georges Day, the towns patron saint.

Cocentaina only 3 miles from Alcoy has the honour of holding Spains oldest town fair, now approaching its 654 year; this is another spectacular event and is held at the end of October each year (All Saints Day)

Although only 1 hour from the arid Mediterranean coast, the mountainous region of the north west Alicante province is surprisingly green and varied, supporting a rich variety of wild flowers and herbs, oak and pine wood lands.

Traditional villages and historic towns are dotted throughout the region. The whole area reflects its Moorish history, eight centuries of Arab occupation: old mule tracks, abandoned villages and ruined castles, as well as the curious neveras; ancient ice houses up to 30m deep where snow was stored to last through the summer.

The Climate
A moderate climate with on average 300 days of sun per year.

July and August are hot and dry. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Approx 6 / 7 days per month. Winter average day time low 14C, high 20C.

For a map of the local area, please click HERE

Click HERE for the Spanish language version - en lengua espaola