Molí de Giner- A remarkable landmark with a fascinating history!

The offices of Jacaranda Spain are located in the small Spanish town of Jalón, or Xaló to give it the original Valencian form.  We try to keep our friends and clients informed on latest news in the Vall de Pop (Jalon Valley) and, in 2021, we posted a blog about the commencement of the renovation project to restore the original watermill in Jalón- Molí de Giner

Back in 2017 the town was awarded the incredible sum of 1,100,000 euros to return the Medieval water mill (in Spanish a mill is a Molí) to its former glory, 85% of which came from Alicante Provincial Council and 15% from Xaló City Council.

The watermill was built in the 14th century to grind wheat, which at that time, was the number one agricultural crop in the Valencia region. Wheat was a staple part of the everyday diet and so the watermill was built for practical reasons. It was in use for hundreds of years, right up until the 1970´s and then the building fell into disrepair and became little more than a ruin. However, it has now been recognized by the government as a building of Cultural Heritage and a decision was made to restore the building and turn it into a cultural centre and museum to serve the community. In 2017 the Provincial Council of Alicante pledged a grant to begin restoration work but commencement of the work was delayed and put on hold several times. Firstly, there was a dispute over who the actual legal owners of the building were, secondly the “Heritage Study Phase” allowed archaeological excavations of the site and then, of course, we had the Covid-19 pandemic which lead to further delays. In 2021 the works began in earnest and the watermill opened its doors once again on 4th October 2025. 

The Molí de Giner cultural centre houses the new Municipal Library with study and consultation rooms that will be use for meetings and study. 

There is an open-air auditorium for music and dance performances and the lower levels have been designated as visitor rooms and a museum. Although beautifully reformed, the work here is not complete. Jalón council also intend on restoring the hydraulic mechanism, reel and grinding wheels, to bring the machinery back to working order. It is also the intention, to further develop the public spaces.

The vault before the restoration…

and after!

It is rather fitting that the building, having served the community here in the Vall de Pop for 700 years, will continue to do so in the future. Although the Molí has been a work in progress for many years, it has been a real pleasure to witness the return to glory of this piece of the Valleys history, from the ruin it was into this beautiful and remarkable landmark!