| The town can
be split into three distinct areas: the old town, the
port and the Arenal.
The "pueblo" was once a walled town to protect
the inhabitants from marauding pirates that once sailed
this coast and there is still evidence of the presence
of these fortifications. In the centre of town, mostly
built in original Tosca stone, sits the impressive Church
of Sant Bartolomé which dates back to the 15th
Century but there is evidence that some of the structure
may date back a further 300 years. There is also a historical
and etnographical museum ("Museo Historico y Etnografico
Municipal J.B. Soler Biasco Javea") and an established
art gallery in the old town, Atelier 1, regular art
exhibitions are held in the gallery at the town's library,
and many accomplished 'sand artists' work along the
beach in summer.
The bustling port is a firm favourite with tourists
with its fantastic seafood restaurants, safe gravel
beach and impressive marina. The landmark is the Church
of Our Lady of Loreto with a roof that has been built
to resemble a fishing vessel bursting through the waves.
The busy Arenal area is a blue flag beach of wide white
sand flanked by a promenade of shops, bars and restaurants
to suit all tastes and wallets. During the summer evenings
there are a number of stalls selling handmade crafts.
Many of the bars offer live music and you can party
away until the very early hours.
The town's market day is on Thursdays. There are also
three main fiestas: Fogueres de San Juan (June), Moros
y Cristianos (July) and Nuestra Señora de Loreto
(September).
A large range of sports and hobby activities are catered
for in the area, including cycling, diving, fishing,
golf, horse-riding, mountain-biking, photography, sailing,
trekking; there are many shops & rental centres
that serve these pursuits.
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