Palau de la Vila (Duquesa d'Almodóvar)
A 15th-century Gothic palace built over the former Islamic fortress, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1982. It now houses the tourist office and the Valencian Textile Museum, free to enter.
The Palau de la Vila stands in the Barri de la Vila, the old town of Ontinyent, and is also known as the Palace of the Duchess of Almodóvar. It is a 15th-century Gothic palace built on top of the former Islamic fortress that once crowned the hilltop, a strategic spot that already dominated the bend of the Clariano river in medieval times.
History
The building sums up centuries of local history: its walls rest on the remains of the Andalusian fortress, and the palace itself was raised in the civil Gothic style typical of Valencian noble houses of the period. Its heritage value was officially recognised in 1982, when it was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument.
What to see
Today the palace has two uses: it holds the town's tourist office and the Valencian Textile Museum, which recalls Ontinyent's long-standing textile tradition. Admission is free.
Tips for your visit
- Start your visit here: the tourist office can point you toward the rest of the old quarter.
- Combine it with a walk through the Vila's medieval lanes and its viewpoints over the river.
- Check opening hours before you go, as they may vary by season.
Frequently asked questions
What is inside the Palau de la Vila today?
Today it houses the tourist office and the Valencian Textile Museum, with free entry.
How old is the Palau de la Vila?
It is a 15th-century Gothic palace built on the old Islamic fortress that crowned the hill, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1982.
Where is the Palau de la Vila?
It stands in the heart of the Barri de la Vila, Ontinyent's old town, on a spot that once overlooked the bend of the Clariano river.
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