• The magical town of Xativa in the Valencia region of Spain is one of most vibrant places to visit in the Valencia region. Xativa sits on a gentle slope on the Sierra del Castillo with its castle located at the upper end of the city at a height of 307 metres. The city then extends downwards into the valley as far as the railway line and spreads out towards the west.
• Due to the geographic location of Xativa it has been an important communication centre since ancient times when the Via Augusta passed nearby by linking Gades with Rome.
• The first documented evidence of its inhabitants is a skull of a Neanderthal man discovered in the Cova Negra and is dated 30.000 BC. The Romans called the city Saetabis. (Some local businesses still use this name) It was also conquered by the Almoravids in 1092 and the Almohads in 1172. The city was the seat of the bishop in times of the Visigoths.
• In the 11th century Xativa built the first paper factory in Europe. The paper was made out of straw and rice and still today in Morocco it is called 'xativa' paper.
• The city became Christian after its conquest by King Jaime I on the 22nd May 1244. Two future popes belonging to the Borja dynasty were born in Xativa during the 14th and 15th Centuries: Calixto III and Alejandro VI. French-Castilian troops entered the city on 5th May 1707, they turned the townsfolk out of their homes and set fire to the city. This was re-built one year later by oreder of the despot Felip V. Since then, the Valencian people call the local Xativa people 'socarrats' 'the burnt ones'!
• Modern Xativa is one of the most up and coming towns in the Valencia region. The town still has an 'old' quarters - a maze of little streets with tall buildings and marble paved walk ways. There are many bars, restaurants and shops in the 'old town' but also buildings of historic interest, still boasting their glorious facades. The old market square is very popular during the evening with the younger generation of Spaniards. The town also has a market twice a week on a Tuesday and Friday where you can find your bargains, whether they be food or clothes or household goods, everything is available. The market is spread all around the old part so be ready to walk the streets to see it all... There are plenty of cafe bars to make the shopping trip a very pleasurable experience.
• In the new more modern part there are also many shops ranging from the 'cheap' nick nack shops to your luxurious designer department stores, absolutely loads of cafe bars and restaurants, with many up-market restaurants too. The town has many sports facilities including gymnasiums, football stadium and swimming centre with spa, Jacuzzi etc. There is also a bowling alley with pool tables which is a regular Friday night extravaganza for the younger generation.
• The casa de cultura, theartre, town hall and Justice Courts are all historic buildings that add to the charm of this captivating town.
• The town also has schools that cover all age groups, a train station with regular service to Valencia and Alicante and as well as doctors and medical centres there is a large state of the art hospital. Everything you could possibly want is here in the enchanting town. More recently (November 2007) has seen the opening of the 'Plaza Mayor' shopping centre adding more cosmopolitan shopping to the town of many faces. New chic shops, restaurants and a new cinema are just a few of the additions to this fantastic new shopping mal which is located just passed McDonalds going toward the motorway. If you are into clubbing, Xativa also has the famous 'Apache' nightclub for which many young people travel from all over Spain to enjoy an evenings music and in the market square there are many other night clubs which usually begin around 11pm and go on until 7 or 8 am in the morning!! Great fun, lots of music and dancing and open for all age groups... The town of Xativa has something for everyone and has the privilege of being only 30 mins to the coast and the award winning beaches of both Tavernes and Xeraco...
Xativa Fiesta's
• The many Fiesta's of Xativa are generally held through the large tree lined road that runs through the town and up to the old part and the castle road. Worth visiting to see them with the large fantastic firework displays that usually start and finish any fiesta. In March the Fiesta of the 'Fallas' see's the streets decked with large statues that are eventually set fire to and burnt to the ground! This is carried out after much presentation and prize giving for the best statues and is usually accompanied with firework displays all over the town. The Fallas Queens in their custom costumes light the fire to start the burnings. A very exciting fiesta and one of our personal favourites. During April, Easter and Palm Sunday bring in the Holy Week. Its various guilds and images, some dating back to the 17th century, are some of the most important in the Valencia Community. June sees the celebration of orpus Christi with its famous giants and carnival figures with enormous heads accompanied by processions of traditional dancers and biblical scenes surrounding the monstrance.
• One of the largest fiestas is in August in honour of the patron saints. Sant Feliu is on the 1st of August when a pilgrimage to the hermitage del santo takes place and on the 5th Virgen de las Nieves is celebrated. The large August Fair usually occurs between the 14th and the 20th August and is one of the oldest in the Valencian Community. Permission to celebrate this event was granted by King Jaume I in 1250 and has been held annually since that date. The main tree lined road that runs through the town is closed to traffic and a huge market is installed throughout the area. It includes funfair rides as well as the many different market stalls and is accompanied by the most spectacular firework displays to open and close the event. There is also a motor bike racing morning where the town is turned into a race track and local motorbike riders race around the town to win trophies. This is fantastic to watch.
• During September and October various neighbouring towns hold smaller fiesta's and then in December the Christmas fiestas begin. On the 5th January, (another of my favourites) is the three kings procession, when a carnival of floats depicting all sorts from famous fairy tale characters to animals and nativity scenes proceeds through the town, with the Three Kings who arrive to deliver their presents. This too is accompanied by the famous firework displays which light up the midnight skyline. So many events to see this is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the Valencia region.
The Castle
• Probably one of the most well know historic buildings belonging to the town of Xativa is the Castle sitting up high and overlooking the whole town. In spite of its Roman and Iberian origins, the majority of the remaining walls are Islamic or Gothic style. The most exceptional parts of the castle are the Porta de Socors, the Queen Mary Chapel - containing the tomb of the Count of Urgell, the Crown of Aragon state prison and the Duke of Calabria hall. There is a magnificent panoramic view from the top of the castel - to the north the city and orchards, to the south the dry farming land and the Grossa, Mariola and Benicadell mountain ranges and to the west the border with Castilla. The small tourist train runs up to the castle giving a guided tour during the summer months and is well worth a visit. There is a bar and a-la-carte restaurant at the top and half way up the mountain is the Monte Sant Hotel... one of the most romantic hotels I personally have ever seen. With views similar to the castle and a menu that offers exquisite cuisine should be a must in every diary for that special occasion.
The countryside
• The town of Xativa is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in the region. Orange blossom covers the hills and valleys during spring, giving the whole area a fragrant smell travelling of oranges that travels on the wind. The valley of Bixquert which is behind the main town of Xativa and covers miles of land over the mountains, is dotted all over with Spanish chalets and villas, surrounded by beautiful pine trees and orange groves. Everywhere you look is full of lush green trees and scenic views. The Bixquert valley is considered the 'in place' around this area where Spanish and foreign people choose to buy their holiday homes. There are many smaller towns and villages all surrounded by the ever green of the orange groves, but all within easy reach of the main town and Castle of Xativa. Genoves, Lloc Nou D'En Fenollet, Manuel, Barxeta, Canals, Novetle, Llosa De Ranes, to name but a few. All of these villages are within a few minutes drive of Xativa, and are now the home villages to lots of British people who wanted to settle in this area. All of these little villages and towns are set in the beautiful, lush countryside of Valencia and most of them still have property available at reasonable prices.
To view property for sale in Xativa click here...
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