Hondon de las Frailes

he charming village of Hondón de los Frailes is located in the beautiful Hondón valley about 40 km from the Alicante airport and beaches. The municipality of Hondón de los Frailes covers an area of about 12 km2 and has a population of just over 1,000 (2006 figures), it is bounded by the mountains Sierra de los Frailes. Numerous mountian bike trails criss cross the area.

Frailes means Friars and the village was owned by an order of Dominican Friars during the 17th Century and was controlled by the Corregimiento de Orihuela until 1833. In 1840 along with the village of Redovan, Hondón de los Frailes became part of the municipality of Hondón de las Nieves and remained so until it gained its independence in 1926. There is evidence of settlements in the area going back to ancient times and there was a Roman site there during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsular. Later settlements by the Moors established Hondón as an agruicultural area, producing crops such almonds, olives and grapes. The present day village has mostly grown up around the 19th Century church, the Iglesia Virgen de la Salud, which was built by the Dominican Friars.

This friendly farming community is a major producer of almonds, olives and grapes. In the evening the locals stroll along the pedestrian only street in the town where there are several bars and restaurants. There is a good selection of shops for day to day purchases, Dutch and English foods from Arkwrights supermarket, a butchers, a bank and a green grocers.