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Location

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The region of the Vega Baja is located in the province of Alicante and is made up by all the land which starts from the border with the province of Murcia and ends at the Viñalopó river which marks the beginning of the municipality of Elche.

Literally, “Vega Baja” means: VEGA “fertile valley” and BAJA refers to the lower part of the river. This definition is very accurate as the Vega Baja region is an extension of the highly productive “Huerta” (market garden) of Murcia. The all year round mild temperature and humidity plus a complex irrigation system, originally set up by the Moors over 700 year ago, make the Vega Baja one of the largest producers of fresh vegetables and citrus fruits in Spain. Towns such as Almoradí and Pilar de la Horadada have specialised in certain areas, allowing the inhabitants of many of these towns to be quite wealthy due to such a large turnover of crop a year.

local village

Historically, Orihuela has always been the “capital” of the region because of its political and religious importance although in the last 15 years, in so much as population and economy, Torrevieja can be considered the town of most influence in the region.

Orihuela’s history is by far the most documented over the centuries. From its origins as a fortified settlement, through its islamic occupation and later on its ecclesiastic control over most of the south east of Spain. With two cathedrals, Santo Domingo Monastery and a multitude of chapels, shrines and Christian monuments, it can be considered a “sin” not to visit its narrow streets full of tell tale Arabic features but dominated by catholic devotion.

murcia cathedral

Long gone is Orihuela’s strangle hold of the region and nowadays the inhabitants are more concerned with the preservation of their architectural heritage rather than the religious value these represent.

The Vega Baja is not only a fertile valley but a region full of history, culture and tradition, evident in the myriad of small villages and towns that dot its landscape. Miracles, invasions, conquests and an impressive economic revolution (due to agriculture and construction) have put it on the world map and with the advent of the AVE (high speed train) having a stop in the Vega Baja, things can only get better.

For more information on this development, contact us via this brief form below. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.