The place where I took a walk the other day, and which I bring you in today's post, is a perfect place for a picnic, for a walk and even for getting lost in a labyrinth. Yeah, that is right, there is a real labyrinth made of shrubs where you can try out your orientation skills in space.
In this place, you can also visit a chapel, attend some religious acts, or go for a whole day with your friends and family and prepare a barbecue if you wish. The place, Casa Tápena, is located close to the town of Onil, in the province of Alicante.
We picked this place randomly on the map! Ok, half-randomly, as I was searching exactly for some parks or picnic areas close to that town we went to this Monday early afternoon. Once we finished the thing we had to do, we opened the maps on our phones and the search began. My husband found a nice place, but it was already deeper in the mountain. I found Casa Tápena, it was some 15 minutes away and decided to go. There were several roads offered to arrive there, but I think I didn't pick the best one as there were some huge holes in the asphalt! 😂
Once there, we parked our car in the parking lot of the Chapel Santa Ana. The information I found about it says that it dates from 1671, although its name was different when it was founded. The main celebrations that are held here are those that celebrate the same-named saint, Saint Anne, every 26th of July. Our visit happened this Monday (14th of July), and although I saw the lights through the window of the chapel, I didn't enter.
The facilities around the chapel were a great surprise. There were many wooden benches and tables in the shade of pine trees, just perfect for our lunch... as I had it in my backpack, ready to be consumed. 🍽 You can see these benches in the second photo of this post. It was comfortable to eat there, and later I could wash the plates and forks we used in one of the sinks that are there to be used for free. In the little building you see in the next photo were the toilets, very clean and in perfect condition. We were indeed so pleasantly surprised.
However, this is not the only picnic area you can use here. When I climbed these stairs, I found another huge area with benches and tables, playgrounds, sinks, water taps, several barbecue buildings (although they were closed at the time we were there), another building with toilets, etc...
And then... I climbed to the third "level" of these areas, again with many benches and a playground. I can't calculate how many people can come here at the same time... but you would always find a free table with benches for your lunch, I am sure.
Here are the boards that explain a bit more about the Casa Tápena picnic area. I saw there is a labyrinth, an agricultural area, gardens, ponds, and paths.
I wish I had more time to explore around and that the labyrinth was not closed... I need to come back here at the right time (between 9 am and 2 pm) and try the labyrinth. A challenge, whether I would find my way out... what if not? 🤔 😂
My hand and phone passed over the fence to take a picture of this fountain at the beginning of the maze.
The following hidden photo is from the website of Casa Tápena, showing the maze. Now you can see why I want to go back! It is so cool! Btw, there can be read about the whole area and about the facilities and activities it offers.
! [labyrinth]
This was the entrance to the agricultural area, also closed when I was there, so we will have to repeat the visit one day in the morning hours.
We anyway couldn't stay for a long time more as the delivery boy for a package we were waiting for called my husband to tell him there was an attempt to deliver our order. He agreed with my husband about the time he would come back, so we had to head to our home.
Guess what - he didn't come back at the agreed time. 🤦♀ We left this place earlier for nothing hahaha, I could enjoy these views and breeze for more time, but ok... I want that maze at all costs 😂 so another time we will come back!
