Ontilles: Cultural History and Trails

The Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja opened in 1909 to care for people with leprosy. Its historical significance extends beyond its original care mission: it played a fundamental role in eliminating leprosy in Spain. At the same time, the sanatorium remains a reference center for leprosy training and research. This means that two time periods are relevant to the subject: its opening and purpose at the time, on the one hand, and its present-day professional role, on the other.

Church and Castle Ruins

The Església Sanatori de Fontilles is located at the entrance to the sanatorium. It is dedicated to San Francisco de Borja, the founder of the Jesuit order, and has a neoclassical façade designed in the style of a retable. The comparison with a retable refers to a façade design resembling an altarpiece; the dedication indicates the church’s religious connection. Its architectural form and dedication can therefore be understood as two distinct features. Neoclassicism draws on classical forms from Greek and Roman antiquity.

The Castillo de Azabras is open to visitors. Its remains include sections of the wall, the remains of a square tower, and a cistern. These structures offer a concrete view of the surviving parts of the site. Unlike the Església, whose façade and dedication are key features, the Castillo is defined by its wall and tower remains and cistern. The two buildings can therefore be viewed in terms of the different forms that have survived.

Hiking Trails and Directions

The approved SL-CV 185.1 variant, Variante Barranco de Fontilles, is a 1.30-kilometer linear trail. It starts at Plaza del Sanatorio de Fontilles and follows an old path to Puerta de Orba. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out. This trail is distinct from the SL-CV 185 Sender de les Atzavares hiking trail, which leads to the Sanatorium de Fontilles. The SL-CV 185.1 variant has a specified length and starting point, and ends at Puerta de Orba; the Sanatorium is the stated destination of the Sender de les Atzavares. This comparison helps distinguish between the two trail descriptions.

Landscape and History

The buildings, wall, fields, and valley landscape of the Fontilles valley are material evidence of personal and communal life stories. They also represent the social, political, medical, and cultural history of Spain. This perspective broadens the view beyond individual buildings: the life stories are connected to a wider social and historical context. For anyone interested in cultural and social history, the built environment and the valley landscape are therefore as much part of the subject as the individual buildings.

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For the main travel overview: Alicante.