The Peñon de Ifach
Possibly the best known and most photographed landmark of the Costa Blanca region, is the towering rock in the Bay of Calpe, known as the Peñon de Ifach. The result of a landslide from the nearby Sierra de Olta, this 1 km long mass of calcareous rock rises vertically from the sea to a height of 332 metres. Joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the Peñon de Ifach stands guard over the town of Calpe like a protective mother.
Thought to have been occupied by Phoenician fishermen and traders in around 700 BC, the Peñon has always been an important landmark for navigators and mariners over the centuries. The inhabitants of settlements on and around the Peñon have utilised the rock as a watchtower, a superb vantage point from which to spot raiding Berber pirates who sailed these coasts for many centuries.
Various artefacts and remains have been found on the Peñon, giving evidence of its history over the years, among these finds have been remnants of Greek ceramics from the 4th to 3rd Centuries BC, Roman coins, fragments of Byzantine pottery from the 4th Century, and the remains of an Arabic wall from the Moorish occupation (8th - 13th Centuries).
Possibly the best known and most photographed landmark of the Costa Blanca region, is the towering rock in the Bay of Calpe, known as the Peñon de Ifach. The result of a landslide from the nearby Sierra de Olta, this 1 km long mass of calcareous rock rises vertically from the sea to a height of 332 metres. Joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the Peñon de Ifach stands guard over the town of Calpe like a protective mother.
Thought to have been occupied by Phoenician fishermen and traders in around 700 BC, the Peñon has always been an important landmark for navigators and mariners over the centuries. The inhabitants of settlements on and around the Peñon have utilised the rock as a watchtower, a superb vantage point from which to spot raiding Berber pirates who sailed these coasts for many centuries.
Various artefacts and remains have been found on the Peñon, giving evidence of its history over the years, among these finds have been remnants of Greek ceramics from the 4th to 3rd Centuries BC, Roman coins, fragments of Byzantine pottery from the 4th Century, and the remains of an Arabic wall from the Moorish occupation (8th - 13th Centuries).
The Peñon de Ifach
Costa Blanca Attractions - The Peñon de Ifach
The Peñon de Ifach
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Contact.
The tunnel which now facilitates the walk to the summit was only excavated early in the 20th century, by the owner of the rock at that time, one Señor Vicente París Morla of Gandia.
The Peñon de Ifach has been significant in the history and culture of the area for many centuries and has been photographed, painted, written about, inspired musical compositions and has featured on postage stamps and more recently, lottery tickets. The Peñon has been owned by various private individuals over the years, but finally became the property of the Valencian Community in 1987.
Nowadays the Peñon de Ifach is a tranquil refuge for a large number of bird and plant species, including one rare species of wild orchid which can only be found on the Peñon itself. Bird species, of which there around 80, include Eleanora’s falcon, peregrine falcon, Audouin’s gull and marine ravens. The Peñon is now a protected Natural Park and although visitors are allowed on the rock, number are limited on a daily basis, so it is advisable to arrive early, it is also advisable to wear appropriate footwear for the climb, which takes around 2 hours to complete , and begins in the exhibition rooms at the base of the rock, where visitors can learn a little of the rock’s history and ecosystem. Along the way the Peñon offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere along the Costa Blanca coastline, so be sure to take your camera.
The Peñon de Ifach can be easily reached from the town of Calpe and is well signposted. Calpe can be accessed from the N332 coast road and the A-7 motorway.
Other Places to Visit:- Altea - Benidorm - Moraira - Javea - Denia - Oliva - Alicante - Guadalest
The Peñon de Ifach has been significant in the history and culture of the area for many centuries and has been photographed, painted, written about, inspired musical compositions and has featured on postage stamps and more recently, lottery tickets. The Peñon has been owned by various private individuals over the years, but finally became the property of the Valencian Community in 1987.
Nowadays the Peñon de Ifach is a tranquil refuge for a large number of bird and plant species, including one rare species of wild orchid which can only be found on the Peñon itself. Bird species, of which there around 80, include Eleanora’s falcon, peregrine falcon, Audouin’s gull and marine ravens. The Peñon is now a protected Natural Park and although visitors are allowed on the rock, number are limited on a daily basis, so it is advisable to arrive early, it is also advisable to wear appropriate footwear for the climb, which takes around 2 hours to complete , and begins in the exhibition rooms at the base of the rock, where visitors can learn a little of the rock’s history and ecosystem. Along the way the Peñon offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere along the Costa Blanca coastline, so be sure to take your camera.
The Peñon de Ifach can be easily reached from the town of Calpe and is well signposted. Calpe can be accessed from the N332 coast road and the A-7 motorway.
Other Places to Visit:- Altea - Benidorm - Moraira - Javea - Denia - Oliva - Alicante - Guadalest
Costa Blanca Property © Needahand Spanish Properties 2006-2008 - The Peñon de Ifach