Casa Nova, Calp

Casa Nova is a fortified farmhouse in Calp, on the Costa Blanca coast in the province of Alicante, Spain. Perched on a small hilltop above the Pou Roig ravine, it has been one of the town's most recognisable landmarks for centuries.

What is this place?

Casa Nova was most likely built in the late 17th or early 18th century as the property of the Feliu de Benissa family. It follows the model of the Catalan masia — a rural farmhouse combining living quarters with defensive features. During a period of economic growth in Calp, the building was deliberately placed on a hilltop: besides serving as a working farm, it also acted as a refuge for local peasants during pirate raids, bandit attacks, and harsh weather.

How is the building laid out?

Casa Nova has a rectangular footprint spread over three floors, each with a distinct role. The ground floor housed the kitchen, a bedroom and the stables. The first floor contained the family's main living rooms, while the top floor was used to store harvested crops. The building combined domestic space with working areas — a wine press, an olive mill, animal pens and stables — reflecting how self-sufficient a farmhouse of this kind needed to be.

Outside, the large windows on the main floor stand out, along with a distinctive rounded stone entrance and a small defensive structure built to protect the residents in times of danger. Together these features give Casa Nova a silhouette that still dominates much of the surrounding landscape — it remains visible from many points across the municipality.

How to get there?

Casa Nova sits within the municipality of Calp, a few kilometres from the town centre and the famous Penyal d'Ifac rock. The easiest way to reach it is by car — Calp lies right on the AP-7 motorway, making it about an hour's drive from Alicante (roughly 60 km) or around 100 km from Valencia. Once in town, it's worth checking with the local tourist information office for current access, since parts of the building are also used for other institutional purposes.

Heritage status and modern use

Casa Nova is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) within the Valencian Community, giving it formal legal protection as an architectural heritage site. In recent years, part of the complex has been adapted for new uses — a university campus now operates on the grounds, showing that this historic farmhouse continues to play an active role in local life rather than standing as a purely historical relic.

When to visit?

The Costa Blanca enjoys a mild climate for most of the year, but spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the area around Casa Nova, with pleasant temperatures and none of the summer heat. Summer is Calp's peak tourist season thanks to its beaches, though it can get quite hot. Winters remain mild enough that a walk near the Pou Roig ravine and the farmhouse itself is still enjoyable.

Frequently asked questions

What is Casa Nova in Calp? It's a historic fortified farmhouse from the late 17th or early 18th century, built on a hilltop above the Pou Roig ravine, combining residential, agricultural and defensive functions.

Who owned Casa Nova? The building belonged to the Feliu de Benissa family and was constructed following the Catalan masia model typical of the region's economic expansion at the time.

Is Casa Nova a protected heritage site? Yes, it is registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural of the Valencian Community, which grants it formal protection as an architectural monument.

What can visitors see there? The distinctive three-storey structure with large windows on the living floor, a rounded stone entrance, and a small defensive feature, along with sweeping views over Calp from the hilltop on which it stands.