Towns of South-East Spain - Costa Blanca South

Rojales

Just inland from Guardamar del Segura and close to Ciudad Quesada this traditional farming village sits on the banks of the Segura River and can be reached from CV-940, the CV-91 or the AP-7 motorway junctions 740, 743 or 745.

The population is usually around 8,000 but this number can treble for a few weeks in the height of the summer season.

Since being founded by the Moors during the Arab conquest (8th - 13th Centuries) the Segura River has played an important part of daily life here in Rojales. A complex irrigation system still exists in a ruined state and the Azud dam built during the 16th Century still works today by raising the level of the river to guide the water to the irrigation ditches and to the Water Wheel. The Water Wheel, built at the end of the 19th Century, is guarded by massive stonework which protects it from damage when the river Segura floods.

The Carlos III Bridge over the Segura River shown in the photo was built in the 18th Century a remains a key feature in the town.

The Gasparito Wells are also worth seeing – these are 2 subterranean wells built during the 1920’s to collect and store rainwater to supply the surrounding villages. Even then bottled water was an important commodity and water merchants from nearby villages would come with their skin bags (rather than plastic bottles) to collect the water and sell it on to their local customers. The West Well is now an exhibition gallery but the East Well still stores fresh water.

The Parque Natural de La Mata y Torrevieja is quite lovely and includes the salt lakes, salt marshes, the reed beds so perfect for walking and cycling around. There is a small tourist office just off the N332 at La Mata where pick up a guide that marks out good routes.

La Finca and Marquesa golf courses are close to Rojales and for the children there is a very nice Aqua Park at Quesada, which is great for picnics.

If you’ve been searching the internet you will probably have noticed ‘cave houses’ advertised and here in Rojales there are some fine examples (El Rodeo) still inhabited and very popular with artists.

Also worth seeing is the famous shell house, which has been painstakingly decorated with shell, tiles and little pieces of mirrored glass over the course of many years – what patience!

Dates for the diary 29th June a Fiesta in honour of Rojales patron saint Pedro and during May the people of the town celebrate Romeria de San Isidro and the Virgin of the Rosary during October.

There is a wide variety of property types in and around Rojales. It’s predominantly a residential area but is still considered a good location for holiday makers so rental potential is reasonable here.

View properties in Rojales