The Cova de les Morretes in Benitatxell has opened as a museum, offering guided tours that reveal how a simple cave overlooking the Mediterranean became a refuge for fishermen, farmers and smugglers.
One of the Costa Blanca’s most intriguing historical sites is welcoming visitors for a new chapter in its long history.
Perched along the spectacular Cliffs Route, the restored cave combines stunning coastal scenery with the stories of the people who once depended on this rugged stretch of coastline for their livelihoods.
Guided visits are available by advance booking until September 5, with the attraction set to remain open throughout the year.
A cave shaped by generations
Hidden high above the sea, the Cova de les Morretes has witnessed centuries
of local life.
It served as a shelter for fishermen working the waters below, farmers cultivating the surrounding land and smugglers who used the dramatic coastline to conceal their movements and goods.
Benitatxell began restoring the site in late 2022, carefully preserving its character while transforming it into an accessible museum.
The project included structural repairs, the restoration of the old stable and a large communal oven, together with new displays explaining how the cave was once used.
The discovery of a forgotten treasure
The restoration produced an unexpected surprise.
During archaeological excavations in 2023, experts uncovered a small hoard of 67 Spanish coins dating from between 1869 and 1879. The collection is thought to have been hidden by smugglers, adding another layer to the cave’s colourful past.
The museum also tells the story of the encesers, who harvested natural resources from the cliffs, and the Pesqueres de Cingle, the remarkable fishing platforms suspended from the rock faces that once formed an important part of life along this coastline.
Bringing history within everyone’s reach
The museum has been designed to make the experience as accessible as possible.
Information panels feature illustrations alongside text in Valencian and Spanish, with digital content available in English. Visitors will also find Braille, pictograms, easy-read information and tactile maps to ensure the history can be enjoyed by everyone.
A year-round attraction
Although the current programme of guided visits runs until September 5, Benitatxell hopes the museum will become a permanent part of its cultural tourism offering.
Tours are expected to continue throughout the year, helping to attract visitors beyond the busy summer months. The council is also developing a theatrical heritage route that will allow visitors to experience the stories and legends of the cave through live performances.
For anyone who enjoys combining a coastal walk with a slice of local history, the Cova de les Morretes offers a fascinating new stop along one of the Costa Blanca’s most scenic routes.
For more information or to book your tour, email: benitatxell@touristinfo.net, call 966 493 546 or head to the tourist office at Carrer de les Escoles, 2, 03726 Benitatxell.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- What: Guided tours of the newly opened Cova de les Morretes museum.
- Where: The Cliffs Route in Benitatxell.
- When: By advance booking until September 5, with year-round visits planned afterwards.
- Booking: Groups of at least five people must reserve in advance through the Tourist Office.
- Highlight: Archaeologists uncovered a hoard of 67 Spanish coins dating from the late 19th century during the restoration.
- Looking ahead: Benitatxell also plans to introduce a theatrical heritage route to bring the cave’s history and legends to life.
