Cala del Metge, on the northern edge of the Serra Gelada Natural Park (in the municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi), is today an unspoiled, rocky spot that’s hard to reach and wins over hikers and lovers of quiet waters. But its name and its history go well beyond tourism: this is a stretch of coast bearing traces of medieval fishing, mining, defence against pirates and rural housing.
Where the Name Comes From: the “Doctor’s House”
The place name Metge (“doctor” in Valencian) comes from an old rural home that belonged to a local doctor, located near the cove. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, maps and documents show variants such as Caseta del Metge or Platgeta del Metge, referring to small stretches of coast linked to this owner.
Traditional Fishing and Early Settlements
The Albir coastline still holds traces of very early occupation.
- Nearby archaeological sites have turned up bronze fish hooks from the Second Iron Age, evidence of fishing activity in Iberian times.
- In 1325, the Carta de Poblament de Benidorm records a large fixed fishing ground (“pesquera”) in the Albir area (Fenoll Marí), right at the foot of the mountain, confirming intensive use of the coastline well into the Late Middle Ages.
Although Cala del Metge isn’t mentioned directly in medieval texts, its location alongside historic fishing grounds suggests it was part of the small-scale fishing network that supported the community, just like other nearby spots such as Playa del Albir.
Ochre Mining in the Serra Gelada
Very close to the cove lies Cala de la Mina, where an important red ochre deposit was mined from the 19th century into the early 20th.
- The remains of the foreman’s house are still visible, along with the pillars that once carried the ore-laden wagons down to the sea.
- Some historians trace the origins of pigment extraction here to Phoenician and Roman times.
The ore was loaded directly onto barges anchored just off the coast, making the cove part of a small-scale mining industry that left its mark on the landscape. Today, this site is referenced on routes such as the one to the Faro de l’Albir.
Coastal Defense and Piracy
The proximity of Punta Bombarda gave the area a strategic role against attacks by Barbary pirates.
- In the 16th century, the Torre Bombarda watchtower was built.
- In 1863, the Faro del Albir was built on its ruins, and it still watches over the bay today.
The cove thus became part of a maritime surveillance network that protected the coast from raids and smuggling, a network that also includes other historic sites such as the Villa Romana de l’Albir.
Local Landmarks: From the Doctor to the Fisherman
In the 20th century, in addition to the historic doctor’s house, the area also had a small “fisherman’s hut” built in the 1960s on the cliffside. It served as shelter and storage for a local fisherman, but was deemed illegal within the natural park and ordered demolished in 2015. Today it remains abandoned, a testament to a past of modest, functional uses.
Old Access Routes and Paths
Traditionally, Cala del Metge could only be reached by sea or by climbing down from the mountain. In the past, there was a staircase carved into the rock that led directly down to the cove; traces of it can still be seen today next to the current path that branches off from the route to the Faro de l’Albir.
Current Use: A Corner for Adventurers
Today, Cala del Metge is a refuge for:
- Hikers exploring the Serra Gelada.
- Swimmers and snorkeling enthusiasts looking for clear, calm waters.
- Naturists, thanks to its seclusion.
It has no facilities, so its preservation depends on the respect of those who visit. It is one of the featured spots in the Guide to Coves Near El Albir.
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