Spain: Requena
- Matthew P G
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
January 2020
Hindsight is 20-20. The trip to Valencia was my last before the world shut down due to COVID. Had I known, I would have chosen my explorations more carefully.
Requena appeared to be a reasonably interesting destination because it had both history and Cava production. I like both! I set off by train on a cold January morning.
It was a longish train ride for a day trip into the cold interior of Spain in winter. I was hoping it would pay off. In fact, it didn't. Mainly, due to the holiday almost everything in town was closed, including the cava bodegas (which were clearly well-known and good places to visit based on their signage). No matter, I went to the castle which dated back to Moorish times.
Located in the high part of town, the old quarter of Requena following the same style as Hispano-Muslim towns. A visit around La Villa runs through narrow streets with houses bearing coats-of-arms, charming squares and typical houses decorated with tiles and elaborate wrought ironwork. The castle and keep were built by the Moors and, at present, house the Wine Harvest Festival Museum.
I tried my best to find the castle and remaining city walls interesting, but I failed. There wasn't that much to see. Requena was another bust for me (fast on the heels of Segorbe [see: Segorbe]. It was so rare to experience two "lemon" destinations in one vacation (and in Spain!). Had the cava bodegas been open, I am sure I would have enjoyed the town much more.
I returned to Valencia a tad disappointed and made it up by partaking of a nice apertivo in the "Tunnel of Ham".
Requena - I might return for the cava, but I'm not sure.
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