Església dels Sants Cosme i Damià de Benimaurell

Església dels Sants Cosme i Damià is the parish church of Benimaurell, the last and most remote village of the municipality of la Vall de Laguar, tucked into the Marina Alta mountains in the province of Alicante. The church stands on the village's main square, Plaça del Sacrament, and has served for centuries as the religious and social heart of this small mountain community.

How do you get there?

Benimaurell sits deep in the Vall de Laguar valley, surrounded by the terraced slopes of Marina Alta, a fair distance inland from the coast and from Dénia. The approach follows winding local roads that link the valley's hamlets — Fleix, Campell, and Benimaurell itself. Driving from Dénia or Xàbia toward the interior is the most practical option, since public transport to such a small settlement is limited. Once in the village, the church is impossible to miss: it anchors the main square, which is also the natural point of reference for anyone arriving on foot.

What will you see?

The building shows layers from different periods — some sources trace its origins to the 16th century, others place the church's construction in the 18th century, when the bell tower was also added. This kind of layered history is typical of rural churches in Marina Alta, adapted over generations as village communities grew. The square in front of the church, Plaça del Sacrament, is as much a part of the experience as the building itself: an old, large mulberry tree grows there, widely regarded as an informal symbol of Benimaurell and a natural gathering spot for residents.

The architecture is modest and unadorned, characteristic of the valley's village churches — no grandeur, but a strong sense of place, framed by stone terraces and narrow lanes. The church remains an active place of worship, so visitors should keep a respectful, quiet presence, especially around service times.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the mountains, and the Vall de Laguar valley looks its best then, whether in the green of the terraces or the autumn light. Saints Cosmas and Damian, the church's patrons, were twin brothers venerated as patrons of medicine and healing; their feast day falls on 26 September, and it is often marked with local patronal festivities in Benimaurell — worth checking the exact dates in advance if attending a village festival is part of the plan. Outside festival season, most visitors pass through as part of walking routes across the valley that lead directly to this square.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the church? As an active parish church, it tends to open around service times and on feast days; outside those hours access may be limited, so visitors should be prepared to admire the building and square mainly from the outside.

Where does the church's name come from? The patrons are Saints Cosmas and Damian, early Christian twin brothers who worked as physicians; their veneration as patron saints of medicine spread across Europe from the medieval period onward.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — Benimaurell lies along popular hiking routes through the Vall de Laguar, including trails toward the Barranc de l'Infern gorge, one of the best-known rock canyons in Marina Alta.

Do you need a car to get there? Given Benimaurell's remote mountain setting, a car is by far the most practical way to arrive, since public transport connections to the valley's smaller villages are scarce.