2.- THE SERPIS RIVER
2.- THE SERPIS RIVER
The Serpis River and its surroundings, between Alcoi and Gandia, were declared in 2007 as Protected Natural Landscape of the Valencian Community, by the Territory and Housing Department. It has a length of 50 kilometres and an approximate area of 10.000 hectares. It is a unique space for its scenic, ecological and cultural values, derived from a historical harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment. The villages and towns of this vast territory, grouped along the river’s line, draw a cultural itinerary where the landscapes become history. The river goes across the mountainous area by a narrow passage, through the spectacular sites of the Barranc de l’Infern and the Racó del Duc, and arrives to the plain lands near the town of Vilallonga. At this point, it widens and loses slope, with an increasingly deeper bed, forming wide meanders full of life.
The Catorzena meander is a perfect example of this historic relationship between the natural environment and human activities. This is a river landscape integrating paths and trails, highlighted by the succession of agricultural fields and dry stone walls, raised to overcome the difficult topography of an irregular basin with strong overflows at times. A space of exuberant nature, alternating rocky rapids and peaceful ponds through which the water flows all year round. This, along with a lush and surprising riverside vegetation, serves as a refuge for a varied fauna, where birds, fishes, amphibians, mammals, reptiles and insects abound.
3.- CAMPINA CATORZENA
3.- CAMPINA CATORZENA
You are in the patch known as Alteró, in its surroundings you can observe the highest concentration of ceramic fragments in the whole municipality. It is part of the Campina-Catorzena archaeological site, which documents the intense romanization of rural Mediterranean areas in the 1st century AD. Magnificent geographical conditions, fertile plains and waters, along with a very propitious climate, made it possible to settle numerous farming villas in La Safor.
Although today it is very devastated, the villa in the Catorzena-Campina had a noble building as the owner’s residence, along with several annexes, such as the servants houses, warehouses, corrals, a winepress and an oilmill; but especially the pottery, of which there are still many remains in the Catorzena allotment.
This pottery was located on the river’s right bank, where the terraces have red clay soils, very suitable for their use as raw material. Its most characteristic production were the amphorae, destined for the transport and commercialization of local wine and oil, which were shipped to the peninsula of Italy and Rome. The most frequent ones were wine containers, a product that must have been the basis of the villa’s economy, while oil containers were less frequent, leading us to believe that oil production was less important. In addition, the archaeological register documents the production of several construction materials: tiles, bricks, tubes, etc. as well as a wide sample of common ceramics types. Fragments of imported and luxurious ceramics are also abundant, especially glazed pottery.
4.- THE ORANGE TREE
4.- THE ORANGE TREE
It seems that the orange tree was introduced in our lands by the Arabs some centuries ago. But it was not until the 19th century that it was intensively cultivated in most of the irrigated lands in the region. In fact, in 1851 there was only one plot of 2 fanecades (0.4 acres) cultivated with orange trees in Potries. This new fruit would gradually replace other fruit trees and mulberries, as well as vineyards and cereals or corn and vegetables, which had historically been grown in the lands irrigated by the waters of the Serpis River. Little by little, orange trees extended and even invaded dry land areas. Fields of olive, carob or almond trees disappeared from the agrarian space as new wells and water pumps proliferated in the region.
From then on, farmers had to learn the new techniques related to this new fruit: grafting, pruning, clean up, fertilisers, plagues; as well as to perfect the harvesting and transportation processes.
But commerciatisation was the real driver for the expansion of the citrus sector. The strong external demand favoured the increase of complementary industries and labour related to the collection and treatment of the fruit for export. Here and there, warehouses and plants were built to manage and market the increasing production. This sector became the backbone of the region’s economy, as well as a mark of identity for the people of La Safor and the Valencian people. A cultural background that we must preserve in front of the crisis period affecting the Valencian countryside, specifically the intensive cultivation of orange trees.
6.- POTRIES
6.- ARRIBADA A POTRIES
Et proposem un assossegat passeig pels tranquils carrers del poble, per racons que conserven tota l’autenticitat dels menuts i típics assentaments rurals amb segles d’història. Descobreix dins dels seus murs el singular patrimoni monumental i etnològic que, generació rere generació, han sabut conservar viu els habitants de Potries.
El nucli històric presenta la tradicional disposició dels menuts nuclis urbans medievals, d’indubtable origen andalusí, assentats entre els turons muntanyencs i les planes cultivables. Aquest fet condiciona la morfologia de la trama urbana, amb carrers estrets, sinuosos i, sovint, costeruts. La majoria dels edificis són hereus de l’arquitectura vernacla desenvolupada entre finals del segle XVIII i principis del XX; conservant, açò si, la tipologia clàssica de les cases tradicionals d’agricultors.
7.- VIA VERDA DEL SERPIS
7.- VIA VERDA DEL SERPIS
Once in Potries, we can head for the Via Verda del Serpis (Serpis Greenway, towards Vilallonga), following the old railway route of the Tren dels Anglesos (Englishmen’s Train). This track is a natural open-air museum, where we will pass through one of the most spectacular spots in the region of La Safor: the Racó del Duc.