Castalla 1809: Reviving a Legacy of Land, History, and Healing
The Estate formerly known as Casa del Escriva, built in 1809, is a rural estate steeped in the layered history of Castalla, Alicante. Originally serving as a farmhouse a bodega, trading post, and lodging site, it was an important local node in the region’s agricultural and commercial life. Its name, rooted in Valencian tradition, refers to a place where agricultural contracts were written and negotiated - underscoring its role in the economic and social rhythms of the area.
Throughout the 19th century, Casa del Escriva housed merchants, laborers, and travelers, offering shelter and sustenance. Its bodega stored and traded olives, almonds, grapes, and wine, functioning as a key marketplace for regional goods. The estate’s location, nestled in the fertile valley beside the Rio Verde continues to provide a reliable source of irrigation water. These natural features have sustained the estate’s agricultural productivity for over two centuries and remain central to its ecological restoration today.
Throughout the 19th century, Casa del Escriva housed merchants, laborers, and travelers, offering shelter and sustenance. Its bodega stored and traded olives, almonds, grapes, and wine, functioning as a key marketplace for regional goods. The estate’s location, nestled in the fertile valley beside the Rio Verde continues to provide a reliable source of irrigation water. These natural features have sustained the estate’s agricultural productivity for over two centuries and remain central to its ecological restoration today.
Castalla: A Town Woven Through Time
The town of Castalla itself boasts a rich and complex history, anchored by its iconic hilltop castle. The site has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological traces from the Iberian, Roman, and Islamic periods. During the Islamic era, Castalla formed part of the taifa of Dénia, and the castle served as a fortified stronghold. In 1244, following the Treaty of Almizra, Castalla was peacefully incorporated into the Crown of Aragon. The castle was rebuilt and expanded, becoming a frontier bastion between the kingdoms of Valencia and Castile.
Today, Castalla Castle remains a striking monument, offering panoramic views of the Foia de Castalla valley and surrounding mountain ranges. These include the Sierra del Maigmó, Sierra del Cati, and Sierra de la Argueña—natural parks that make the region ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and eco-tourism.
Each year, Castalla celebrates its layered past with the vibrant "Moros y Cristianos" festival, held in early September. This multi-day event re-enacts the historical battles between Muslim and Christian forces, with elaborate parades, mock combat, music, and traditional costumes. The festival honors the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Soledad, and draws thousands of participants and visitors, transforming Castalla into a living tableau of its medieval heritage.
Today, Castalla Castle remains a striking monument, offering panoramic views of the Foia de Castalla valley and surrounding mountain ranges. These include the Sierra del Maigmó, Sierra del Cati, and Sierra de la Argueña—natural parks that make the region ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and eco-tourism.
Each year, Castalla celebrates its layered past with the vibrant "Moros y Cristianos" festival, held in early September. This multi-day event re-enacts the historical battles between Muslim and Christian forces, with elaborate parades, mock combat, music, and traditional costumes. The festival honors the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Soledad, and draws thousands of participants and visitors, transforming Castalla into a living tableau of its medieval heritage.
The Battle of Castalla and Its Historical Context
In April 1813, Castalla became the backdrop for a tactical confrontation between Anglo-Spanish-Sicilian forces and Napoleon's French Army of Valencia and Aragon. Led by Lieutenant General Sir John Murray, Allied troops successfully repelled Marshal Louis Gabriel Suchet’s French forces, who had launched frontal assaults on the hilltop positions near the town. The French retreat marked a localized victory for the Allies, though the battle itself was part of a broader effort to contain French forces in eastern Spain rather than a decisive turning point in the Napoleonic campaign.
The surrounding farmland - including the valley where Casa del Escriva stands - witnessed troop movements and skirmishes during this period. Today, remnants of the battle such as fortifications and scattered artifacts remain visible, offering a tangible connection to the estate’s wartime past.
The surrounding farmland - including the valley where Casa del Escriva stands - witnessed troop movements and skirmishes during this period. Today, remnants of the battle such as fortifications and scattered artifacts remain visible, offering a tangible connection to the estate’s wartime past.
Decline and Rediscovery
After the passing of its last private owner, Casa del Escriva fell into disrepair. For thirty years it stood empty and as a result the house went into a steady decline. Its roof neared collapse, and its legacy risked fading into obscurity. In 2023 at the brink of its collapse, a Dutch family residing in Alicante acquired the estate with a bold vision: to restore its historical essence for the local Castalla community and transform the estate into a sustainable, eco-friendly rural retreat. Thus, the Castalla 1809 project was born.
Castalla 1809 is a heritage restoration and sustainability initiative that honors the estate’s original functions—agriculture, trade, lodging, and wellness—while integrating these with modern ecological practices. The project revives the farmland with organic olive, pomegranate, and lemon cultivation. The historic bodega is being restored as a marketplace for farm goods, offering tastings and direct sales. Lodging facilities are being reimagined as boutique eco-tourism accommodations and wellness retreats, preserving the estate’s legacy as a rest stop for travelers.
Educational workshops on sustainable farming and historical agriculture are planned to reconnect visitors with the estate’s agrarian roots. On request, guided tours of Castalla will showcase the Napoleonic battlefield remnants and offer a deeper understanding of Castalla’s long history. Wellness programs will include movement therapy, mindfulness retreats, yoga sessions, and farm-based nutrition education - particularly catering to guests aged 50 and above.
The restored Casa del Escriva will offer tranquil nature immersion through hiking, relaxation activities, and holistic wellness experiences, all set against the peaceful backdrop of the Finca valley.
Educational workshops on sustainable farming and historical agriculture are planned to reconnect visitors with the estate’s agrarian roots. On request, guided tours of Castalla will showcase the Napoleonic battlefield remnants and offer a deeper understanding of Castalla’s long history. Wellness programs will include movement therapy, mindfulness retreats, yoga sessions, and farm-based nutrition education - particularly catering to guests aged 50 and above.
The restored Casa del Escriva will offer tranquil nature immersion through hiking, relaxation activities, and holistic wellness experiences, all set against the peaceful backdrop of the Finca valley.
Key Activities
Castalla 1809’s operations span several interconnected areas:
- Agricultural Revitalization: Restoration of 9 hectares of farmland, planting 1,000 olive trees, and cultivating traditional crops like pomegranates, lemons, and almonds. The estate partners with the Castalla Co-operative and local farmers, using advanced irrigation systems fed by the Rio Verde and the estate’s natural spring - ensuring long-term ecological sustainability. The estate will be used for educational workshops for instance on modern farming techniques.
- Revival of the Historic Bodega: Renovation of the bodega as a local community marketplace offering tastings and retail of locally produced organic farm products. A resting place for the modern traveler interested to reconnect with nature and the Castalla region. This space also serves as a cultural hub, reconnecting with its historical role in trade and lodging.
- Conservation of Casa del Escriva: Structural restoration preserving the stone façade and traditional architecture. Applications for heritage funding have been submitted to programs such as NextGenerationEU, Alicante’s Rehabilitation Programs, and the Diputación de Alicante’s Historic Restoration Program.
- Eco-Lodging and Wellness Retreats: Boutique accommodations designed for guests aged 50+, offering rehabilitation support, mindfulness retreats, and holistic wellness programs. These include movement therapy, pain management, yoga, and farm-based nutrition education.
- Historical and Educational Experiences: Guided tours of the estate’s Napoleonic-era battlefield, Castalla and its castle and workshops on sustainable farming and historical agriculture.
- Outdoor Activities: Nature immersion through hiking, cycling, and relaxation, tailored to active wellness seekers and history enthusiasts.
- Agricultural Revitalization: Restoration of 9 hectares of farmland, planting 1,000 olive trees, and cultivating traditional crops like pomegranates, lemons, and almonds. The estate partners with the Castalla Co-operative and local farmers, using advanced irrigation systems fed by the Rio Verde and the estate’s natural spring - ensuring long-term ecological sustainability. The estate will be used for educational workshops for instance on modern farming techniques.
- Revival of the Historic Bodega: Renovation of the bodega as a local community marketplace offering tastings and retail of locally produced organic farm products. A resting place for the modern traveler interested to reconnect with nature and the Castalla region. This space also serves as a cultural hub, reconnecting with its historical role in trade and lodging.
- Conservation of Casa del Escriva: Structural restoration preserving the stone façade and traditional architecture. Applications for heritage funding have been submitted to programs such as NextGenerationEU, Alicante’s Rehabilitation Programs, and the Diputación de Alicante’s Historic Restoration Program.
- Eco-Lodging and Wellness Retreats: Boutique accommodations designed for guests aged 50+, offering rehabilitation support, mindfulness retreats, and holistic wellness programs. These include movement therapy, pain management, yoga, and farm-based nutrition education.
- Historical and Educational Experiences: Guided tours of the estate’s Napoleonic-era battlefield, Castalla and its castle and workshops on sustainable farming and historical agriculture.
- Outdoor Activities: Nature immersion through hiking, cycling, and relaxation, tailored to active wellness seekers and history enthusiasts.