Villajoyosa

La Vila Joiosa (Valencian: [la ˈvila dʒoˈjoza])[3] is a coastal town and municipality in the Province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. The town is known to the locals simply as La Vila.[4]

This article is about the town in Alicante. For the municipality in Zaragoza, see La Joyosa.
Not to be confused with Gioiosa.

Villajoyosa
Municipality
La Vila Joiosa
Flag of Villajoyosa
Flag
Coat of arms of Villajoyosa
Coat of arms
Location of Villajoyosa
Coordinates: 38°30′19″N 0°13′58″W
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityValencian Community
ProvinceAlicante
ComarcaMarina Baixa
Judicial districtLa Vila Joiosa
Government
 • MayorAndrés Verdú Reos[1] (PSOE)
Area
 • Total20.45 km2 (7.90 sq mi)
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Population
 (2018)[2]
 • Total33,969
 • Density1,700/km2 (4,300/sq mi)
Demonym(s)vilers, -res (va)
vileros, -ras (es)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
03570
Official language(s)Valencian
WebsiteOfficial website

It is the historic and administrative capital of the comarca of Marina Baixa and is located 32 km from the city of Alicante, in the coastal area known as Costa Blanca (White Coast). La Vila Joiosa literally means Joyful Town, although the inhabitants often abbreviate it to La Vila. It has over three kilometers of beaches, including La Platja Centre (Central Beach), close to the city centre. The river Amadorio runs through La Vila.

The area is famous for its chocolate industry and tourism. One of the most popular tourist attractions is its Gothic Catholic church of the Assumption, with a Baroque altar piece. Another popular destination, the Royal Palm Casino (formerly Casino Costa Blanca), is now closed. The town's festival of Moros i Cristians,[5] celebrated at the end of July, was declared an International Tourist Interest Festival. Currently, this festivity commemorates a boat landing from the Berber pirates that was repelled by the population of the town.[6]

Paradise beach in Villajoyosa

Notable people

Twin towns

References
  1. Equipo del Gobierno Local
  2. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  3. "Adiós a 'Villajoyosa': El tripartito aprueba que el único topónimo oficial sea la 'Vila Joiosa'".
  4. Lonely Planet Costa Blanca Miles Roddis – 2002 – Page 216 LA VILA JOIOSA (VILLAJOYOSA) postcode 03570 • pop 23,700 La Vila Joiosa ('Happy Town') is, in fact, a fairly staid place for most of the year. Its patron saint is Saint Martha. Known to the locals simply as La Vila, it perks up in summertime, dons its glad rags and has a ...
  5. Villajoyosa Moors and Christians Fiesta Archived 12 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, alicante-spain.info
  6. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "CRISTIÀ - Moros & Cristianos Villajoyosa 2017". YouTube.
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