What to see in Elda
Elda, administrative capital of the Vinalopó Medio about 116 km from Valencia, gathers 55,222 residents on a fertile terrace by the river. With Petrer it forms a conurbation of almost 90,000 neighbours that works in practice as a single town, shaped by the shoe industry.
The Shoe Museum, opened in 1998, tells that industry with machinery and historic models. Above the old town, the 12th-13th century castle keeps the Renaissance Coloma palace, and at its foot the Santa Ana church, founded in 1528, marks the skyline with its Neoclassical towers.
The town shares more than streets with Petrer: the 1904 Castelar theatre is Elda's historic stage, and the Monastil site is identified with the Ibero-Roman town of Elo. The old town, with the castle above and Santa Ana below, is walked in an afternoon that can start at the shoe museum. The conurbation with Petrer gives the trip an urban scale rare in the Vinalopó.
What to see in Elda
- Museo del CalzadoMuseum~650 m from the Town Hall
Museum of the Elda shoe industry, opened in 1992, with machinery, lasts and historic models.
- Castillo de EldaCastle~100 m from the Town Hall
Medieval castle from the 12th-13th centuries with the Renaissance Coloma palace inside, under restoration since 1983.
- Iglesia de Santa AnaChurch~100 m from the Town Hall
Parish church founded in 1528, a Baroque building with towers over the old town.
Frequently asked questions
Which industry defines Elda?
Footwear, told by the Shoe Museum since 1998.
Does Elda form a conurbation?
Yes, with Petrer: almost 90,000 residents working as a single town.
What to see in Elda?
The Shoe Museum, the castle and the Santa Ana church.
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