Requena

Understand

Requena (from Arabic rakka'na – 'strong') was established by the Iberians in the 7th century BCE, and was later occupied by the Romans. During the Moorish period it was part of the Muslim kingdom of Valencia, but after the Christian reconquista in the 13th century it became part of the kingdom of Castille, to which it belonged until the mid-19th century when it rejoined Valencia. Largely for this reason the principal language spoken here is Spanish, not Valencian as in other parts of the province. In the Middle Ages the town grew wealthy from the silk trade. Following the collapse of the silk economy in the 19th century it became more known for its excellent wines, a reputation which continues to the present.

1 Tourist Info, C/ García Montés, s/n, ☏ +34 962 303 851, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 17:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00; closed 6, 24, 25 Jan and 31 Dec. (updated Sep 2017)

Getting there

By train 1 Estación de Tren de Requena (Requena Train Station). From Valencia's Estació de València Nord, Renfe regional train line C3 departs several times a day. Has an onsite cafeteria. (updated Aug 2017) 2 Estación de Tren de Requena-Utiel (Requena-Utiel Train Station), Autovia A3, exit 285, ☏ +34 912 432 343 (station info), +34 912 320 320 (tickets). Ticket office: M-F 06:30-22:45, Sa Su and holidays 07:45-22:45. High-speed trains between Valencia and Madrid stop at this station, which is inconveniently located several kilometres outside of town. Has an onsite cafeteria. (updated Aug 2017)

By bus Monbus (☏ +34 902 292 900) operates routes from Valencia, Cuenca, and nearby Utiel, with buses stopping at the 3 parada de autobuses, a block away from the regional train station. Avanza (☏ +34 902 020 052) runs a line between Madrid and Valencia, with buses stopping near 1 Bar Puerta de Alcalá on C/ Desvío Carretera, 46.

Getting around

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.

See

Most sights are clustered in the Barrio de la Villa (aka Recena Medieval), the former Muslim quarter in the heart of town which is still enclosed by the surviving remnants of the medieval city wall.

Monuments

1 Torre del Homenaje (Tribute Tower), C/ Castillo s/n, ☏ +34 962 303 851, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10:30-12:00 19:00-20:00. The only remaining portion of the Moorish castle, built around the 10th century as a border fortification and later modified during the Christian era. €2 (adults), €1 (concessions). (updated Aug 2017) 2 Cuevas de la Villa (La Villa Caves), Plaza de Albornoz, 6, ☏ +34 962 306 018, [email protected]. Tu-F 12:00-14:00 17:00-19:00, Sa 12:00-14:00 17:00-20:00, Su 12:00-14:00 17:00-19:00. 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. €4 (adults), €3 (seniors/youth/students). (updated Aug 2017) 3 Iglesia de San Nicolás (Church of St. Nicholas), C/ San Nicolás, 9, ☏ +34 962 303 851. Tu-Su 10:30-14:00 17:00-20:00. First built in the 13th century, the church was modified and rebuilt several times, most recently in the early 18th century. Free. (updated Aug 2017) 4 Iglesia de Santa María (Church of St. Mary), C/ Santa María, s/n. F-Su 11:00-14:00 16:00-19:00. 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. Free. (updated Aug 2017) 5 Iglesia del Salvador (Church of el Salvador), Plaza del Salvador, s/n. 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. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Túneles (Tunnels), C/ García Montes, 1 (entrance near the tourist office). M-Sa 10:30-14:00 17:00-20:00, Su 10:30-14:00. Excavated during the Sp

Do

Festivals 2 Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival). Late August to early September. 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 1 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. €10 (wine tastings). (updated Sep 2018) 3 Muestra del Embutido de Requena (Requena Sausage Festival), C/ Desvío Carretera, 152 (Recinto Ferial Requena / Requena Fairground). Mid-February: F 12:00-21:00, Sa 10:00-21, Su 10:00-19:00. 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. F €8, Sa Su €10; ticket includes sausage and wine tastings, a serving of roasted ham and a traditional dish, and free admission to a museum/monument. (updated Dec 2017)

Hiking and biking The surrounding area offers a number of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. The tourist office has an online list of hiking trails with trail descriptions in English.

Buy

1 Carnicería Emília 'La Villa' (Emília 'La Villa' Butchershop), C/ Fortaleza, 10 (across from the Torre del Homenaje), ☏ +34 962 303 410. Daily 10:00-15:00, including Su and holidays. Well-known for its artisanal sausages. (updated Sep 2017) 2 Ferevin (Feria Requenense del Vino), C/ Cuenta de las Carnicerías, s/n, ☏ +34 962 305 706, [email protected]. M-F 11:00-14:00 16:00-19:00, Sa 11:00-14:30 16:00-19:00, Su 11:00-14:30. The local wine cooperative is a good place to pick up some of the award-winning regional wines, and also holds frequent wine-tastings. (updated Sep 2017) 3 Mercadillo (street market), Avda del Arrabal. Saturday mornings. Requena's lively street market is a good place to pick up fresh produce and locally-produced foods, as well as other miscellaneous items. (updated Sep 2017)

Eat

Given Requena's inland location, local cuisine unsurprisingly is more meat-based, with influences from the neighbouring region of Castile-La Mancha. Typical dishes include gazpacho manchego, a warm soup with bread (not to be confused with Andalusian-style cold gazpacho), morteruelo, a meat paté with breadcrumbs, and a wide variety of dried sausages.

2 Mesón La Villa, Plaza de Albornoz, 13, ☏ +34 962 302 132. Serves traditional Requena dishes including morteruelo and grill