Explore and Learn About JÁVEA by visiting its historical architecture and monuments with Arts Historian, Educator & Author - Karla Ingleton Darocas, B. A. (Hons)
BOOKING INFO & FORM
Exclusive Private Screening * The Way*
The Way is an inspiring and visually stunning film directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen.
The Missing Half of Juana la Loca’s Story—And Her Surprising Connection to Jávea
The story of Juana la Loca is one of power, betrayal, and suffering, and it extends far beyond the passionate heartbreak depicted in the film.
Award Winning Film - Juana la Loca (2001) Español - English Subtitles
Don’t miss this chance to experience the beauty of Spanish history, culture, and romance on a big screen. Historian Karla Ingleton Darocas, BA (Hons) will be on hand to give insights and answer any questions!
When - tba
ABOUT
Juana la Loca (2001), directed by Vicente Aranda, is a gripping tale of passion, betrayal, and political intrigue, based on the dramatic life of Queen Joanna of Castile. Her obsessive love for Philip the Handsome leads to emotional turmoil amidst the power struggles of 16th-century Spain.
With stunning period costumes and breathtaking landscapes—from medieval castles to grand halls—this film transports viewers into Spain's rich cultural and historical past. A must-see for lovers of historical romance, royal intrigue, and Spain’s captivating beauty.
Goya Awards (2002): Best Actress: Pilar López de Ayala, Best Costume Design: Javier Artiñano, Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Miguel Sesé and Mercedes Guillot
REVIEW.
**Joan the Mad / Juana la Loca**
This is a film to be savored. Settle in and allow yourself to be transported to the world of 16th-century Spain, where every visual detail is a feast for the senses. Karla explained all details that really helped put the storyteller into perspective.
Watching this film was like opening a jewel box filled with treasures. From the exquisite red leather gloves to the richly embroidered gold and burgundy brocades, the luxurious fur trims, and the delicate drop pearl earrings, every element is a masterpiece.
The opulent colour palette flows seamlessly throughout the film, creating a rich and immersive experience. Even the Andalusian horses, with their ornate saddles, move with a regal elegance as they rein up to a prancing halt.
The cinematography is equally breathtaking. Interior scenes, whether set within the castle chambers or aboard the galleon where Joan and her mother share a poignant farewell before her departure to Flanders, are captured with striking contrasts of light and shadow. The dramatic lighting evokes the depth and intensity of classic paintings, perhaps even those found in the Prado.
The story is deeply rooted in its historical setting. It begins gently but soon gathers momentum, becoming utterly captivating. The plot offers everything one could desire in a compelling film—intrigue, romance, betrayal, and deception. The narrator provides a guiding voice, seamlessly linking scenes and reminding the audience that this whirlwind of drama is based on real events in Spain’s monarchy.
Philip of Habsburg, with his wild mane of hair, chiseled jaw, tight-fitting pants, and oversized codpiece, looks more like a heavy-metal rock star than a prince. If he were on stage, he could easily be mistaken for a guitarist from Whitesnake or Scorpions. My only complaint about the film is that the bedroom scenes are far too restrained. One has to rely on imagination, but I suspect Philip had much more to offer than what we were shown.
As for Juana—was she truly mad, driven to madness, or simply madly in love? That is a question worth debating over tapas. I won’t reveal more, but kissing a decayed, rotting skull might just be a clue...
- Rhona
Introduction to Spanish Romanticism in Painting
Spanish Romanticism in painting, emerging in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a response to political upheaval, national identity struggles, and evolving artistic influences from Europe. Unlike the structured realism and compositions of Neoclassicism, Romanticism embraced emotion, drama, and individuality, often highlighting Spain’s historical past, cultural traditions, and exoticism.
Several distinct movements developed, each reflecting different aspects of Spanish Romanticism.
Rococo
Immersive Journey into the Rise and Fall of Rococo in Spain!
Step into the splendor of 18th-century Spain as we explore the captivating rise and dramatic fall of the Rococo style.
José de Ribera
José de Ribera (1591–1652) was a master of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. His work is relatively easy to grasp within the context of the Baroque era, a time when the Catholic Church employed art as a powerful tool of propaganda—reminding the faithful of the saints' suffering under Roman persecution, reinforcing religious devotion, and countering the influence of Protestantism.
What stands out about Ribera is not only his command of Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro but also his unique position outside the traditional court system. Unlike court painters who were often confined to formal portraits and official commissions, Ribera worked under the Spanish rulers of Naples, granting him a broader creative range. His subjects extended far beyond tortured saints to include some of the most intriguing and unconventional themes, often rooted in gripping stories from Spanish history.
Franciscan Convent of Benissa is a Cherished Renaissance Landmark
Thank Goodness the Franciscan Convent of Benissa Was Not Turned Into a Hotel
Preserving the historical and architectural heritage of the Franciscan Convent in Benissa was a relief to many locals and history enthusiasts alike. Plans announced in 1917 to transform this storied convent into a hotel were met with mixed emotions, as the proposal risked altering the character of one of Benissa's most iconic landmarks. Instead, the convent remains a treasure of cultural and spiritual significance, even as its use evolves to accommodate modern realities.
Architectural Features of the Convent
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