Les Murtes Donkey Sanctuary Jalon-Xaló valley

Source of information updated 31.7.23: https://les-murtes.jimdo.com/kolonial/home/the-sanctury/

Since August 2008, the donkey sanctuary “Les Murtes”, belongs to the World Culture Donkey Heritage Foundation of Valencia (Fundacion el Burro Patrimonio del Mundo de la Comunitat Valenciana).

Through this foundation, we hope to have at last a competent vocal representation for the donkeys. We also hope to establish, without interference, a permanent area for different European donkey breeds and for donkey riding treks.

Alexander and Edith Aretz started “Les Murtes” more than 19 years ago on 12 hectares of land in the Xaló / Jalon Valley, in the province of Valencia / Alicante. Their dream was to safeguard those breeds of donkey threatened with extinction, in particular, the Andalusian Giant, the Catalan, Leon and the Poiton. “Les Murtes” is a breeding sanctuary for them in Spain as, worldwide, there are only 82 Andalusians, 300 Catalans, 60 Leons and 300 Poiton (Breeding book A) left.

Neither must we forget those donkeys in need of help. Up to now, we have helped more than 120 donkeys through our emergency rescue operation. These numbers are still on the increase. At the moment, we have 60 various donkeys living here. The running costs of such a large enterprise are, of course, very high. That is why we rely heavily on donations and partnerships.

To offset some of these costs, Alexander and Edith opened a restaurant “La Cantina” and a souvenir shop at the sanctuary.

Opening times: We are open to the general public between 11 h and 18 h, Wednesdays to Sundays and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tel. 0034 693 548 489.

ALL THOSE YEARS A GO, WE WROTE ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE WHEN WE VISITED THE DONKEY SANCTUARY “LES MURTES”:

We arrived at 14.00h on Sunday, 19th September, 2007. The parking was a little difficult, unless you drive a 4×4. Seating was outside and the temperature was 26c, some cloud, which was cooling. We meet our friends and started the afternoon with albondigas, red peppers, courgettes and salad.

Donkey Sanctuary

Bread and ali oli were also presented. Lamb was ordered for all of us and the pieces of shoulder and leg arrived golden brown in roasting trays, also plates of sweet red cabbage and boiled potatoes, were passed around. The meat, especially lamb in this region, does fall off the bone, if cooked well, and this was no exception. Sweets were a sort of a mixture of ice cream and moose. All very well presented and the rosado and white wine flowed freely. The Donkey Sanctuary is worth a visit, views are wonderful down the valley, you can see El Montgo. It is a long drive back to Javea, 25 minutes, with winding roads, but worth every minute.

There is a local hotel on the road up to the sanctuary, called Caserio del Mirador, house phone +34 965 973 024 , where you can stay and enjoy days of walking, eating and/or just chilling around the pool.

Book well in advance, Tel. 0034 693 548 489 (updated 31.7.23).