The Romans had a road running through this valley called The Via Augusta, which proves the importance that they placed on this area, you will notice many road-signs, place names and public notices in both Castellano (common Spanish), and Valenciano which is still spoken as the main language in many parts.
Xativa
At the heart of La Costera is the vibrant town of Jativa (Xativa), also known as the “town with a thousand fountains”. The first documented evidence of its inhabitants is a skull of a Neanderthal man which was discovered in the Cova Negra (Black caves) and dates back to 30,000 BC, the Romans called the city Saetabis and some local businesses still use the name. In 1092 the Almoravids conquered the city and not long after it was taken over by the Almohads in 1172. During the 11th century Europe ’s first paper mill was built in Xativa and the paper was produced using straw and rice, today it is still known as Xativi paper. On the 22nd May 1244 the city became ‘Christian’ after it was conquered by King Jaime. Xativa also lays claim to two future popes belonging to the Borja dynasty who were born there during the 14th and 15th Centuries: Calixto III and Alejandro VI, the family virtually controlled the papal power for nearly two hundred years.
On the 5th May 1707, Franco-Castilian troops entered Xativa and forced the townsfolk out of their homes so that they could set fire to the city, this was re-built one year later by order of the despot Felip V. Since then, the Valencian people call the local Xativa people “socarrats” “the scorched ones”! Don’t forget to see the Royal Fountain of the Twenty Five Spouts which was built in the late 18th century and visit the Museo de L ’Almodi where you can see the portrait of King Philip the Fifth hung upside down which was in response to his sacking of the city in 1707.
Modern Xativa is one of the most up and coming towns in the Valencia region but despite this the town still has an ‘old’ quarters which is 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 and it ’s spread all around the old part so be ready to walk the streets to see it all. There are plenty of caf é 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 caf é bars and restaurants, with many up-market restaurants too. The town has many sports facilities including gymnasiums, a football stadium and swimming centre with spa, Jacuzzi etc. There is also a bowling alley with pool tables which is very popular on a Friday night. The casa de cultura, theatre, town hall and Justice Courts are all historic buildings that add to the
charm of this captivating town.
Probably one of the most well known 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 it has 30 towers and four gateways and is one of the most loveliest in the Valencia area. 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 State Prison of the Kings of the Crown Aragon and the Hall of the Duke of Calabria.
There are magnificent panoramic views from the top of the castle – 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 with views similar to the castle and a menu that offers exquisite cuisine which is a must in every diary for that special occasion.
Moixent
Mogente (Moixent) is an idyllic, typical Spanish village, dating back to 1238, it is approximately 45 mins from Valencia and Alicante is easily accessed by the new motorway links, in about an hour. The main industry in Moixent, apart from agriculture, is the manufacture of cane and rattan furniture. The town has a railway station, with links to Valencia, Alicante, Barcelona and Madrid and in just 40 minutes by car you can visit the coastal resort of Gandia. Mogente is popular with tourists, many of whom visit El Bosquet, an area of outstanding beauty, with its artificial lake which collects water from the surrounding gorges. It also has a rich historical heritage - its most noteworthy example being El Guerrero de Moixent (The Warrior of Moixent). There is also an ancient Iberian settlement called La Bastida de los Alcusses, a protected national site of interest to history and art.
Canals
The town of Canals boasts an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for building the biggest bonfire in the world for their Fiesta each year in January which celebrates San Antonio Abad. In the early hours of D ía de la Inmaculada which is the 8th of December a single pine trunk is erected in the Plaza Mayor, during the days leading up to the bonfire, wood is gradually added, it is said that up to 1200 cubic metres of wood is used in the construction. The base of the bonfire is eleven metres in diameter and of conical shape and the exterior is decorated in green pine bows.
Within the town there is also an enormous sycamore called La Lloca which is located in the Plaza Pont del Riu and nearby on the Placa Mercat there is a very stylish building named Casino Gran which was built in 1930 from the proceeds of a big lottery win.
Other places of interest within the region are Anna, Ontinyent, Zarra, Navalon, Teresa de Cofrentes which we will highlight in another edition of Look For It Buscalo Magazine.
