ALCOY COSTA BLANCA

Modern Alcoy stands on a promontory, first settled by the Iberians, between the rivers Molonar and Barchell, its houses tumbling down the sides of a gorge. It's the largest industrial centre in the area, a solid, prosperous and seemingly dour town, worth seeing for its position and fine 19th century architecture. Centred around the grandiose Plaza de Espana (Playa d'Espanya) and the arcaded Plaza de Dins (Playa de Dins), Alcoy is scattered with baroque churches and civic buildings, dating mainly from the end of the 19th century. The money came from cotton, still processed here, and was spent on extending the 17th century city, and building the five bridges across the gorge.

The town has the fascinating Museo de Fiestas where the costumes used in the Moros y Cristianos festival are stored. This rumbustious event celebrates a Christian victory over the Moors in 1279, when Saint George came to the aid of the inhabitants, and is a source of huge local pride. The Museu Arqueologico Municipal has a good local collection, which includes some Iberian treasures.