Jesus Pobre- How it got its name and why it is a gem!

The beautifully quaint village of Jesus Pobre has a population of just over 800 people. This traditional, inland pueblo is only 8km from the coastal town and beaches of Javea and 10km from Denia and yet it is unspoiled by tourism. The local people are rightly proud of the pueblos remarkable history!

Originally the village had the name “Benissadeví”, a name of muslim origin, like many of the villages and towns in the Marina Alta. A Franciscan monk called Fray Pere Esteve Puig, more commonly known as Pare Pere, lived a life of religious devotion from 1582-1658. His hermitage was a cave on the Montgó Mountain. When Pare Pere discovered an image of Jesus Christ in his tomb, he took it home and made an altar to honour the image, which he called “Poor Jesus”. One night he received divine inspiration from God which told him to build a hermitage and hospice in the town. Hospices were originally always run by religious orders and they provided food, medical care, shelter and peace to weary travellers at the end of their journey.  Pare Pere built his refuge and place of worship in 1642, where he installed his beloved "Poor Jesus" image. He was so revered by the townsfolk, that the town was also renamed Jesus Pobre.

The exising church was finished in 1668 and a convent of Franciscan Friars was established. The church was built in the “Rural Baroque” style- as was common at the time in the small villages. Basic, inexpensive materials were used to construct the building, but the front facade, the "doorway to the house of God", was always decorative and ornate.

Nowadays the church is protected by the government as an Asset of Cultural Interest. It is one of the most beautiful historic churches in the Marina Alta. During the Spanish Civil War, Jesus Pobre was renamed “Mongolia” by Francos government! The Valencian name was officially reclaimed in the 1980´s.

The village is situated in the countryside of the Marina Alta, surrounded by orange, olive and almond groves and vineyards. The villagers still rely on the agriculture of the area and, in the months of August and September, you can see the grapes being laid out in the sun to dry and produce the sweet, Moscatel raisins that the area is known for. There are many Riu Rau buildings in the area (stonebuilt farm buildings with arches) that were used to store the harvest and the best example is in the village. This Riu Rau is now used every Sunday as the centre of the weekly market. Here you can buy locally grown produce, olive oil produced from local olives, freshly baked goods, homemade jams and preserves, handmade crafts and local wines. The market is open every Sunday 9am-2pm and in the summer, June- September it is open evenings 6pm-11pm.

Enjoy the market atmosphere in the cool of the evening in summer

The village is perfect to stroll around and pass the time of day with the locals, who are all very welcoming and friendly. Surprisingly, considering the size of the pueblo, there are several excellent restaurants withing walking distance to the centre of town. Bar Pedro and Casa Rosita, serve tapas and traditonal Spanish dishes, both serve excellent, no frills, freshly cooked food. La Tasca is a modern fusion of Spanish and Italian, with homemade pasta dishes and some exceptional specialities! Book in advance for a table on the cozy outside terrace.

The team here at jacaranda Spain love to visit the sunday market and the restaurants are all well frequented by ourselves. Jesus Pobre is a stunning little gem of a village and, if you are considering relocating, the town and the surrounding countryside must be added to your list of possible areas. A rural lifestyle, with village community spirit, scenic country walks, with the Montgó mountain as a backdrop, and a mere 12-15 minutes to Blue Flag beaches, bustling nightlife and cosmopolitan vibes in Javea and Denia- This location has it all!

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