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Municipality in Valencian Community, Spain
Photo: Carlesmari, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Requena is a town of 20,000 people (2018) in the west of Valencia province. It is dominated by the ancient citadel of the Moors, and still has traces of the original town walls. There are three ancient parish churches. Near the town are the sulphurous springs of Fuentepodrida. It is known for its excellent wines.
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Tribute Tower
The only remaining portion of the Moorish castle, built around the 10th century as a border fortification and later modified during the Christian era.
La Villa Caves
Built by the Arabs, the maze of caves and tunnels run underneath almost the entirety of La Villa. At various times they were used as granaries, war-time shelters, wine cellars, and an ossuary.
Church of St. Nicholas
First built in the 13th century, the church was modified and rebuilt several times, most recently in the early 18th century.
Church of St. Mary
Construction of this church began in the 14th century and was completed in the 18th century. Especially noteworthy is the Flamboyant Gothic portal of the Annunciation; the interior is mostly Baroque.
Church of el Salvador
This 15th-century church was extensively remodeled in the 18th century, but the Flamboyant Gothic portal has survived. It is the only church in La Villa still used for worship.
Tunnels
Excavated during the Spanish War of Succession in the early 18th century, the tunnels were used as a bomb shelter during the Civil War, and most recently for growing mushrooms. The city has now opened them to visitors.
Hermitage of San Sebastian
The small chapel was built in the mid- to late 14th century to convert Moors to Christianity. Despite a number of later alterations, the Mudejár ceiling has been restored.
Florencio de la Fuente Contemporary Art Museum
Palacio del Cid / Wine Museum
So named in reference to the 11th-century mercenary Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the well-preserved 15th-century palace now houses a museum showcasing to the history and process of wine-making in Requena.
House of Silk
Formerly the seat of the Silk-Weavers Guild, the museum is dedicated to illustrating the history of silk production in Requena, which stretched from the 17th century to collapse of the silk trade at the end of the 19th century.
City Museum
Located in a former royal convent, the museum showcases archaeological finds from the region.
Municipal Market Exhibit Hall
Hosts temporary art exhibits.
FOCAM / Photography Museum
The small museum is dedicated to the history of photography, from its invention in 1839 to the current era.
Wine Harvest Festival
Celebrated annually since 1948, this is the oldest wine harvest festival in Spain. Activities include numerous parades, fireworks and mascletás (gunpowder demonstrations), bullfights, and of course wine tastings.
Wine tastings are held M-Th at 12:30 in a pavilion behind the Sala Antiguo Mercado (entrance through the mercado), and include four glasses of wine, a four-course meal, and a souvenir wine glass. Entry tickets are sold beginning at noon, but people usually start queuing about 20-30 min beforehand as seats are limited.
Requena Sausage Festival
This annual three-day festival is devoted to local artisanal sausages, as well as other regional specialties including cheeses and olive oils. Visitors arriving by train can present their train ticket for an additional 10% discount on purchases, and for this weekend the high-speed AVE train offers discounts 70% for travel between Madrid/Cuenca/Valencia and Requena-Utiel. A full schedule of tastings and other events (Spanish only) can be downloaded from the website.
Serves traditional Requena dishes including morteruelo and grilled meats and sausages.
One of the oldest restaurants in Requena, it serves typical regional cuisine using ingredients from the local market.
A highly-regarded restaurant, it serves Mediterranean cuisine with creative flair in an elegant setting. Reservations recommended.
One of the larger wineries in the Requena-Utiel region; offers a tour and wine-tastings.
Another large winery with wine-tastings and tours.
Known for its cavas and rosados, the winery also has an English-speaking guide.
The small family-run operation produced good cavas and rosados, and practices vendimia nocturna (night harvest) of its grapes. The vineyard also operates a small hotel rural with 8 rooms. English spoken.
Finca Casa Don Angel
The smaller family-run winery has some especially good Bobal wines. Wine tours (Spanish only) must be booked in advance.
Facilities include an onsite bar-restaurant, nonsmoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi. Pets permitted on request for no extra charge, and free nearby parking is available.
Facilities include an onsite bar, nonsmoking rooms, a terrace, and free Wi-Fi. Pets permitted on request for no extra charge, and free onsite parking is available.
Emília 'La Villa' Butchershop
Well-known for its artisanal sausages.
Feria Requenense del Vino
The local wine cooperative is a good place to pick up some of the award-winning regional wines, and also holds frequent wine-tastings.
street market
Requena's lively street market is a good place to pick up fresh produce and locally-produced foods, as well as other miscellaneous items.
By bus
Monbus (+34 902 292 900) operates routes from Valencia, Cuenca, and nearby Utiel, with buses stopping at the parada de autobuses, a block away from the regional train station.
The old centre of Requena is quite small, and if you're reasonably fit you can get around just fine by foot. To visit any of the nearby wineries, though, you'll need a set of wheels.
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