Marisa and I discovered the Relleu valley in the 70’s. Its location behind the coastal chain of sierras and between Cabezo d’Or (ancient frontier of the Moorish kingdom of Murcia) and the massif of Puig Campana, give the landscape a rugged mountainous feel softened by terraces of almond and olive trees.

We decided then to one day create an Arts and Literature Centre here.

After five years of hunting for the right property we discovered the Almàssera Vella hiding behind a derelict garage structure in a dramatic position opposite the castle mound and with views of Sierra Grana, Aguila and Cabezo d’Or.

We started building in 2000 literally on the first day of the new millennium. Our inaugural writing course, ‘The Poet’s Notebook’, was run in May 2002 and we now have a regular programme of creative writing days and weekends as well as week-long, all-inclusive, residential writing courses, mountain walking, photography and painting courses.

In 2004 accommodation facilities were extended with the opening of the casa rural annexe at 69 Carrer de la Mare de Deu del Miracle, opposite the Almàssera Vella. The annexe is now available for writer's and artist's retreats and for simply relaxing weeks or weekends enjoying tranquility and mountain air. There are mountain walks from the front door.