With remains from the Bronze Age in the Cueva de Loret, this town's golden age came under the Muslims: notable advances being the Qur'an School, old town, farm houses (alquerías), crops and irrigation system. It received its Town Charter from James I, in 1247. As early as 1526, it took part in the Battle of the Sierra Espadán. With the expulsion of the Moors in 1609, the town entered into a more difficult period, which came to end in 1653, with the resettlement carried out by the Duke of Medinacelli, and the exploitation of cinnabar mines in the 18th century.
All manner of economic sectors coexist in Eslida: there are five cork processing companies, five family-run construction companies, retailers, banks and restaurants, as well as rainfed agriculture and agricultural handicrafts.
The old town offers narrow, interlocking, winding, steep streets, in the style of an Arabic medina: as well as the typical streets, you can visit the 17th-century Salvador church, the Town Hall, and other interesting buildings. Walk up to the castle, the Calvary and nearby housing developments.
The municipal district is the southeastern entrance into the Sierra Espadán mountain range (known as the "lungs" of the Valencian Autonomous Region). The square that houses the Town Hall has an elevation of 350 m, compared with the 950 m at which rises up the peak of Puntal del Algibe. The terrain is fascinating, with rugged mountains and ravines, full of pine and cork trees and other crops (almonds and olives), giving it a drier climate than down by the plain (mild in winter and cool in summer). Medicinal springs can be found throughout the district.
Economy
All manner of economic sectors coexist in Eslida: there are five cork processing companies, five family-run construction companies, retailers, banks and restaurants, as well as rainfed agriculture and agricultural handicrafts.
What to see
The old town offers narrow, interlocking, winding, steep streets, in the style of an Arabic medina: as well as the typical streets, you can visit the 17th-century Salvador church, the Town Hall, and other interesting buildings. Walk up to the castle, the Calvary and nearby housing developments.
Landscape
The municipal district is the southeastern entrance into the Sierra Espadán mountain range (known as the "lungs" of the Valencian Autonomous Region). The square that houses the Town Hall has an elevation of 350 m, compared with the 950 m at which rises up the peak of Puntal del Algibe. The terrain is fascinating, with rugged mountains and ravines, full of pine and cork trees and other crops (almonds and olives), giving it a drier climate than down by the plain (mild in winter and cool in summer). Medicinal springs can be found throughout the district.
