VILLENA

city, Alicante provincia, in the comunidad autnoma (autonomous community) of Valencia, southeastern Spain. It lies about 45 miles (70 km) northeast of Murcia. Dating from Roman times, Villena was later part of the Moorish kingdom of Valencia and was taken by the Christians in the 13th century. The locality was devastated by an earthquake in 1829. The city is on the right bank of the Vinalop River and is the centre of a grape-growing area. The city's industries produce wine, soap, and salt. Architectural features include the Gothic churches of Santiago and Santa Mara and the medieval castle of the marquses de Villena, on San Cristbal Hill. Pop. (1981) 28,279.