If you have limited funds and still want to live in the Valencian Community, look no further than Ontinyent property.
According to the latest report from Idealista, the average rental price for houses in the province of Valencia has risen to €12.7 per square metre, following a sharp increase of 15.1% over the past year. However, there are still towns where rental prices remain affordable. One municipality stands out not only for having an average rental price that is half the provincial rate but also for its rich historical heritage.
The Valencian Town with the Cheapest Rental Properties
Onteniente (Ontinyent in Valencian) has the lowest average rental price in the province of Valencia. Specifically, the town’s average rent stands at €5.90 per square metre – the highest recorded in its historical series – following a 9.3% increase over the past year. As for property sales, the average price of Ontinyent property is currently €884 per square metre.
In recent years Ontinyent property prices have risen, like everywhere else in the Community, but, still, Ontinyent property is considered a good buy.
Situated in the south of the province of Valencia, on the banks of the Clariano River and nestled in the Sierra Grossa, Onteniente – the municipality with the most affordable rent in Valencia – has a population of 36,430 inhabitants (Spanish Statistics Institute 2024). Notably, the municipality occasionally experiences snowfall, adding to its unique charm.
In recent years Ontinyent property prices have risen, like everywhere else in the Community, but, still, Ontinyent property is considered a good buy.
Onteniente’s Origins: A Walk Through History
There’s evidence of human settlement in the area where the town now stands dating back to the Neolithic period, as seen in sites such as Arenal de la Costa, along with remains of Bronze Age villages.
During Roman times, small agricultural settlements emerged in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Augustus. Some of these are believed to have persisted until the 5th century. Although no Roman settlement has been identified in the current medieval town centre, an extensive late Roman or Visigothic cemetery has been discovered at Bancal del Cel, Casa Calvo, approximately two kilometres south of the medieval centre. This site contains around one hundred tombs, dating from roughly the 6th century AD.
Little is known about the early Al-Andalus period, but records indicate that a significant settlement existed in Castellar, featuring an extensive defensive wall. During this time, the region was scattered with farmsteads.
The urban centre of Ontinyent, known as La Vila, has been documented since the 11th century, while its castle is mentioned in the 12th century as a strategic stop along the route between Murcia and Valencia. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous ceramic and household artefacts from the Islamic period, though few architectural structures have survived.
Onteniente was conquered by James I in 1244 and subsequently incorporated into the Kingdom of Valencia. Initially, its territory included Agullent until 1585 and the Fontanares district until 1927. In 1446, the town council acquired Caudete, taking responsibility for its defence.
This led to a conflict with Villena over control of the Alhorines Valley, a dispute that persisted until the War of Spanish Succession. During the conflict, Villena, which sided with the Bourbons, ultimately emerged victorious.
Following the Nueva Planta Decrees in the 18th century, the administration was Castilianised, and the municipality’s name was changed from Ontinyent to Onteniente, a designation that remained official until the late 20th century.
In 1822, Onteniente was incorporated into the province of Játiva, later becoming part of Alicante in 1833 and finally joining the province of Valencia in 1836. The town was granted the title of a city in 1904.
If you are interested in Ontinyent property, you can find many options on Idealista.com. Also, people thinking of buying Ontinyent property should know that life in this city, considering what there is to see, can be very rewarding.
What to See in Ontinyent
Onteniente’s rich and eventful history has endowed the town with a wealth of monuments and cultural attractions. Beyond its affordable cost of living, the town offers both visitors and residents numerous opportunities to explore and immerse themselves in the region’s fascinating past:
- Santa María Church: Dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, this archpriestal temple showcases a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles. At its entrance lies the tomb of Lope Vaillo de Calderón, who played a role in the town’s conquest. In 1945, the main altar was inaugurated, featuring 19 paintings by José Segrelles. The church also houses a statue of Our Lady of Solitude and a Recumbent Christ, both crafted by renowned sculptor Mariano Benlliure. Its bell tower, standing at 72 metres, is the tallest in the Valencian Community and the second tallest in Spain.
- Old Bridge: Built in 1520-1521 next to the Camino de los Carros, it offers a panoramic view of the city and the Raval. In 2018, renovation works revealed an eye hidden beneath the sediment.
- Tirador de Peraires: Dating back to the 16th century, this site was traditionally used for drying woollen cloths. In the early 17th century, the caves located beside the river, originally inhabited by humble families, were converted into dwellings along what is now Calle Alfarería.
- Santa Maria Bridge: An engineering work that connects the urban centre with a peripheral neighbourhood, crossing the Clariano River. The landscape it forms is reminiscent of Ronda’s bridge.
- San Esteve Hermitage: A temple from the late 17th century, it upholds the tradition of lighting fires on the night of San Esteban to ward off hailstorms, a custom observed by the Luminaries. According to local legend, strange phenomena are said to be seen and heard in the nearby Cave of Averno.
- Onteniente Walls: Classified as a Site of Cultural Interest, these structures were built in the 11th century during the Islamic era. They were later restored by the Christians in 1258, following damage caused by an earthquake that same year.
- Barrio de la Vila: The old part of the town is also listed as a Site of Cultural Interest.
Events and Festivals
At different times of the year, the municipality becomes the scene of various regional events and festivals. These are some of the most notable:
- Moors and Christians: This event, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, has origins dating back centuries. The celebrations take place from the Thursday before the fourth Sunday in August until Monday, commemorating the reconquest of the city and other subsequent struggles. The main highlights are the Entrance of the Armies (Friday) and The Embassies (Monday), where 19th-century texts are performed. Each year, 12 groups per side participate, with one Christian and one Moorish group holding the captaincy. The event is organised by the Festival Society.
- Fiestas de la Purísima: Celebrated between November and December, the festivities honour the Immaculate Conception, with its image created by Agustín Devesa Olmos. Tragically, the central and horrific event is the toro embolado, where bulls are released with fireballs attached to their horns in a closed circuit, despite the immense suffering inflicted on the animals. This practice is one that, if eradicated, would greatly improve the municipality’s image.
- Fair: Held in November, this event dates back to 1418 when Alfonso V of Aragon granted the privilege to Onteniente. Originally focused on agriculture, it now features a variety of attractions, stalls, and a car fair (Firauto). The event takes place on the weekend of the third Sunday in November, with attractions in the fairgrounds lasting for several weeks.
This article is brought to you by Expat Hub Valencia, a property buying agent in Valencia. Using the Expat Hub’s services, you will be able to successfully navigate Valencia’s complicated property market in no time.
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