Prehistory

The Parpalló cave (Gandía) and the one at Malladetes (Barx) constitute two of the more important sites in the Mediterranean peninsular region. The archaeological materials obtained from the caves have attest to the area being occupied uninterrupted between 29,000 years ago and a date just 11,000 years ago. The people developed a hunter-gatherer way of life. The culture can be characterised by the elaborate utensils made from both stone and bone. One of the singular aspects of the Parpalló cave is the rich collection cave paintings and limestone engravings depicting animals and other topics. The existence of these scenes confirms a high artistic and symbolic capacity of the ancient population.

HERITAGE SITES

"La Nevera" (Ice House): This was built in mid-eighteenth century to store the winter snow for use it in the summer as ice. On the way towards Pinet there are two smaller "neveras" but, as yet, these have not been restored.

"La Casa de La Drova" (House of La Drova):  The friars of the Monastery of Santa Maria de la Valldigna built this, in 1723, to shelter  farmers and draught animals. A sundial (date 1799) stands out on the front wall of the house.

"Les Basses de La Drova" (The pools of La Drova): These irrigation reservoirs date from the end of the eighteenth century to the beginning of the nineteenth century. They were constructed by the friars for the irrigation of the fields. On one side is the remains of the wash place.

"Los Riu-Rau": These are the typical buildings from the area of "La Marina" that were introduced by the friars in 1859, with the arrival in La Drova of two families from Jalón. The original use of these buildings was to dry fruit, and to store the harvest.

"El Calvarlo" (The Calvary): This dates from the end of the eighteenth century to the beginning of the nineteenth century. It is the symbol of the consolidation of Barx as a village.

"La Font del Racó" (The spring of Racó): This was built towards the end of 1799, to commemorate the signing of the peace, treaty that put ended the litigation that lasted more than 20 years between the people of Barx and the monastery.

"La Plaza de la Constitución" (Constitution Square): This is the original part of the village, where two oil presses still exist, a grain store and a wine vault from the second half of the seventeenth century.

"La Igiesia" (The Church): This was monk's the private Oratorium  from the second half of the seventeenth century. The frontage is from the end of the nineteenth century.

La Drova
By the Middle Ages La Drova was a place esteemed by who sought contact with nature and tranquillity etc; due the fair weather and agreeable climate. At present La Drova exists as a residential centre of quality that is known to combine technical advances and respect for the environment. The type of urbanization, detached character  of the housing, wide scattering of green open spaces, make La Drova an ideal place for those who seek the traditional Mediterranean tourism that incorporates a respect for nature. To take an impromptu wander around La Drova, click here.

The Patron Saint Fiestas

The most important holidays, designated Holidays of the People, tend to be celebrated during the third week of August and are devoted to Saint Michael and the 'Divine Shepherdess.' These religious fiestas are combined activities of enjoyment. Other fiesta are spread out during the rest of the year and devoted to different things connected with the village.

With regard to the gastronomic of the fiestas aspect it is fitting to emphasize the traditional paellas, roast meats, sausages and cold meats eaten on the occasions.