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In the
thirties writers such as Hemingway spent their summers in Calpe.
Calpe's first hotel was established next to the Peñón Rock: the
Ifach Parador. The Morro del Toix and the Peñón de Ifach mark the
extremities of Calpe's bay. The Peñón de Ifach (Ifach means north in
Phoenician) is the symbol of Calpe and, by extension, of the Costa
Blanca. It is the highest rock in the entire Mediterranean and divides
Calpe's shoreline in two. The limestone mass is 332 metres high and
penetrates 1 kilometre into the sea, forming a first-rate geological
feature. Since 1987, a Natural Park has preserved its unique
ecological treasures such as the Ifach carnation. The summit of the
rock can be visited in organized groups and in the Nature Auditorium
the rich fauna and flora of the park is explained. There is also one
of the best views of the Costa Blanca from the top of the rock.
Prehistoric, Iberian, Phoenician and Roman remains have been found
immediately next to the Peñón and on the isthmus which links it to
the coast. At the foot of the Peñón are the 'Baños de la Reina'
(literally, The Queen's Baths) that, in reality, was the site of a
Roman 'factory' for the drying and salting of fish. The Peñón was
also an extremely good watchtower for the people that lived at its
base. The Morro de Toix was another place used to watch over the
Barranc del Mascarat, which provided access to the coast. During the
course of the centuries, the village retreated more inland for greater
protection and, following an attack by pirates, protective walls were
built around the village in the 15th century. The only sections of
these walls remaining are the Peça Tower next to which is found the
only church built in a Mudejar-Gothic style in the entire Valencian
Region. Between Les Bassetes and the Morro de Toix Calpe there are 11
kilometres of sandy beaches - for instance the Levante and Arenal
beaches - and coves like the one at La Manzanera where there are three
buildings designed by Ricardo Bofill, and the Les Urques cove where
scuba diving and fishing are possible. The Cueva dels Coloms, in the
Morro de Toix, which faces towards Altea, is a freshwater cave that is
only accessible from the sea. The nature of Calpe can be appreciated
through nautical excursions and walks. The Peñón de Ifach is
renowned by climbers for its difficulties and unique features, and it
can be climbed by a number of routes of varying difficulty. Potholing
is possible on the steep banks and peaks of the Monte Oltá and the
Barranc del Mascarat. Calpe's attractions have made the village a
tourist destination of note for both national and international
visitors, who live together all year round in peace and harmony.
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