Almoradi – Area Guide

Located in the south of the province of Alicante, in the Vega Baja del Segura region. It has a population of 20,803 inhabitants. Its economy is based largely around fruit and vegetable exports and furniture production.

History

The first known place-name is Amarión, a name that, according to legend, the legendary King Brigo gave it when he founded the city in 1196 BC. The term Almoradí has traditionally been translated as “my will and my desire”. However, palaeographic studies derive it from المُوَلّدين (al-Muwalladin, the Muladids), a place cited by the geographer al-Udri in one of his texts.

The Torrevieja earthquake of 1829 completely destroyed the town of Almoradí, as well as other municipalities in the Vega Baja. Thus, the old typically Muslim plan that the town had had until then disappeared. The Current design of the town, which is centred around the church and expands in straight and relatively wide perpendicular streets, was designed to minimise damage from future earthquakes.

Local Information

There’s a lot to see and do in Almoradí and the town is well known as a local centre for the arts. The Cortes Theatre, The Municipal Auditorium, The Huerta Museum incorporating the local library as part of the Local Cultural Centre and the Almoradí Musical Society (founded in 1880) are all functioning institutions, and the town’s fiestas are legendary in the area.

The town is built around the large church square, from which all manner of cafeterías, bars and restaurants can be discovered. The square is also host to the weekly town market every town Saturday. The market day is bustling; with the backdrop of the church, it’s like the old within the modern and walking around, one can almost transport oneself in to some heady ancient time when people gathered in groups.

As well as the annual fiestas which start in July, Almoradí also host various fairs throughout the year such as: The Furniture Fair, The Gastronomic Fair and The Automobile Fair.

Useful To Know

A 15 minute drive from Ciudad Quesada, Almoradí is about a 30 – 40 minute drive from Alicante Airport and has a direct junction to and off of the AP 7 motorway. A 20 minute drive will take you to the beach at Guardamar, 30 mins to the beach at Playa Lisa in Santa Pola and Elche is about 30 minutes away.