Benicassim

Benicassim Train Stop

Benicassim Train Stop

The name, Benicassim, is derived from the Banu Qasim tribe, a segment of the Kutama Berbers, that settled the area during the 8th century Moorish conquest of Spain, although none of the original history survives. With a population of 18,098, the town is a beach resort who’s main economic activity comes from tourism. Benicassim has some of the most important artificial beaches in Europe and is famous for the music festivals FIB and Rototom SunSplash, which flood the town with thousands of visitors in July and August.

Vormar Beach

Vormar Beach

East of Benicassim

East of Benicassim

Benicassim has 6km of white sand beaches and a great promenade. Promenade

Grass Umbrellas

Grass Umbrellas

Things

Things

WC

WC

The eastern end of the promenade is lined with villas from the late 19th and early 20th century.

VillaVictoria

The Villa Victoria. Renowned photographer Cartier Bresson is reputed to have spent a summer here.

VillaPons

Villa Pons

VillaPaquita

Villa Paquita

VillaAmparo

Villa Amparo

Tree

A little more thought might have gone into the placement of this tree?

The western end of the beach is dominated by high rise  buildings from the 60s and 70s.

Edificio Helena

Edificio Helena

The Rambla

The Rambla

Benicassim2

The ”Vía Verde” is a 5.5 km cyclist and walking coastal route that shows a natural rugged coast with beautiful coves and cliffs between the resort towns of Benicassim and Oropesa.

Benicasim

Vía Verde

 This is clearly a Catholic nation. The saints seem to peek at you around every corner. Almost all the heritage sites have their roots in the church one way or another.

Santa Agueda

Santa Agueda

La Purisima Concepcion

La Purisima Concepcion

Altar4

Altar7

Roadside Altar

That been said, we only bumped into one festival. We noticed on Saturday that the police had stopped all street parking downtown and barricaded off all the side streets. By Sunday morning they were covered with palm frond designs.

Parade3 Parade2

By noon all the bells started to ring, they struck up a dirge and the procession began.

Parade10 Parade8

Parade7

Lighting candles

Lighting candles

Parade4Parade9Parade15Parade12

On a lighter note, a couple odds and ends.

As De Copas Delivery Truck

As De Copas Delivery Truck

This some kind of sealant. We've seen it on quite few  buildings.

2 thoughts on “Benicassim

  1. jeanette

    I think that procession is wonderful – looks like young and old alike come together celebrating old traditions, neat to keep it alive. Is there no Moorish influence? Perhaps a little in that first photo? That beach is so inviting. Thought that roadside altar looked like it could have been taken in Arizona!

    Reply
  2. Leslie b

    Some of the procession scenes look like something out of the Godfather it’s very very cool and I love the way they’re dressed

    Reply

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