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Sax

Santa Eulalia Colony

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Santa Eulalia Colony

Recommended by 16 road cyclists out of 17

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    Best Road Cycling Rides to Santa Eulalia Colony

    5.0

    (1)

    134

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    1. The interior of Alto Vinalopo — Circular from Villena

    60.2km

    02:42

    490m

    490m

    Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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    Intermediate

    Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

    Intermediate

    Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

    Intermediate

    Tips

    August 26, 2023

    The Colonia de Santa Eulalia is an extraordinary historic settlement between Sax and Villena in the province of Alicante. Founded at the end of the 19th century by the noblemen Antonio de Padua Saavedra y Rodríguez de la Guerra and Mariano de Bertodano Roncalli, it is considered one of the first experiments in an agricultural-industrial community in Spain. The colonia was conceived as a self-sufficient village that combined work, living, and leisure. In addition to agricultural land for vineyards, olives, and almonds, factories, workshops, a palace, a theater, a casino, a church, and even its own train station were built.

    Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain.

    An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. Half-ruined, yet very impressive buildings. Much to discover, arouses curiosity. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their purposes can still be recognized.

    More information at:
    es.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Colonia_de_Santa_Eulalia

    Translated by Google •

      August 18, 2022

      This curious and beautiful place is a true journey through time. It is worth walking through its desolate streets and appreciating the abandoned buildings where you can still see their signs indicating their function, including the theater, a parador, the church, etc. A very curious and interesting site!

      Translated by Google •

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        Elevation 490 m

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        Location: Sax, Vinalopo, Alicante, Spain

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