Gallinera

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Gallinera or The Vall of Gallinera is one of valleys in the northeast part Alicante, included in the Marina Alta comarca. It is formed by the nuclei of Benirrama, Benialí, Benissivá, Benitaia, Carroja, Alpatró, Llombai and Benissili. All these towns constitute a single municipality. The total combined population at the moment is around 600.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

Like in all other valleys of the interior of Marina Alta, the Moors occupied during almost six centuries these earth. After the expulsion of the moriscos (1609), the Vall de Gallinera became deserted and the Duke de Gandía, to whom this area was adscribed, brought from Majorca 150 families to repopulate the valley. As per Cavanilles: “it is easy to see still the origin of all of them in the accent and dialect of its inhabitants. They are very hard working, all they take advantage of it and they live contentmently in that delicious enclosure”. Indeed, in this valley, Valencian is heavily influenced by Balearic Catalan.

[edit] Economy

The main cultures of the zone are the cherries, almonds, olives and rural tourism.

[edit] Other meanings

Gallinera is also the name of a Philippine furniture, a wooden seatee, under which chickens were safely kept. It was also used to store visitors' gifts.