Villajoyosa’s Victorian Connection

Just a few miles south of Benidorm lies the pretty coloured houses town of Villajoyosa; it has an historic connection with Victorian England.

That connection comes through a very important Spanish family by the name of Aragonés. Although the Aragonés were not royalty, they were the richest family in the district. From their ranks came senior military officials, lawyers and politicians. The family lived in Villajoyosa probably from the 14th century until the 1990’s when the last of the family died. Their home, which is near to the centre of town, is known as La Barbera.

When the British Empire was at its height and Britain was leading the industrial revolution, Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, launched the hugely successful 1851 Exhibition. The Aragonés family visited the exhibition and took a liking to all things British. In fact, they bought, amongst other things, one of the first beds to be made of iron. La Barbera is now a house museum where the British objects, and many other items, are on display. La Barbera forms part of the exciting new museum, Vilamuseu.

In recent years the museum has held a British Objects Exhibition and also offered theatrical guided tours to the house which includes one of the family, Cayetana, ‘re-appearing’ from the 19th century to talk about the house and the family. Guided tours are offered in English (and Spanish); to find out more about the Aragonés house, La Barbera, and find out more details of other exciting aspects such as the spectacular Roman shipwreck, Bou Ferrer, visit Vilamuseu, Calle Colón, Villajoyosa or visit the Vilamuseu website www.vilamuseu.es/en for times and dates. A visit to Vilamuseu is well worth it as it is a very new and different museum which prides itself on its inclusivity.

hurst122@sky.com