Date: Mon, 06 Jan 1997 21:38:01 GMT Server: NCSA/1.5.2 Last-modified: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 01:47:23 GMT Content-type: text/html Content-length: 4772
Xeraco is the gateway to the orchard lands of Gandia, which is a large, fertile coastal plain with 27 scattered villages and irrigated by the Serpis and the Vernisa. Its inland boundaries are the mountains of La Safor, which is 1,011m high and after which the region is named, and El Montdúver Peak (841m). Gandia is unquestionably the capital of La Safor. Very early prehistoric traces give an idea of the art and personality of the first cave dwellers of El Parpalló, Negra and El Forat de l´Aire. In Roman times, people began to come down from the heights and settle on the plain, which explains the traces of civilisations at Ador, Beniartjo and other places. In Muslim times, the castles at Bairén, Rótova and Almisserat were important defensive structures. After the Reconquest, Jaume I grants the town the title of dukedom. Famous writers Joanot Martorell (Tirant Lo Blanch) and Ausiàs March (Antologia Poètica) were born in this beautiful city. The 15th Century is of exceptional splendour coinciding with the Borgia (Spain.: Borja) family, the 4th duke of whom is canonised as Frances Borgia. In the 16th Century, Gandia receives the title of University. Its church, raised to the dignity of Collegiate Church by a Borgia pope (Alexander VI) was begun in the 14th Century and is one of the most outstanding examples of Valencia Gothic. Despite many alterations, the ducal palace still preserves the Borgia style and houses many objects reminiscent of the saint. A visit should also include the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara and San Marcos Hospital, which are both of the 14th Century.
Although its main activity continues to be farming and its harbour is still one of the most important for the export of citrus fruit, Gandia´s tourist trade has changed its coastline to a certain extent, fortunately in an orderly way, thus creating an important infrastructure for tourism around it's Dorada Beach.
The surrounding of Gandia should be visited by making very interesting basic excursions, such as the one from el Parpalló to Montdúver along a regional road through La Marxuquera as far as La Drova Valley; the one through La Safor visiting Almoines, Beniartjo, Potries and Villalonga, and the one of Rótova through Alfahuir for a visit of the 14th Century former Monastery of San Jerónimo de Cotalba, which is the most interesting in the whole region.
The district of Oliva marks the boundary of the region in the South. It was a dukedom founded by Alfonso el Magnanimo in 1449 and the birthplace of Gregori Mayans, a writer. It has a magnificent beach which links up with those of Piles, Bellreguart, Daimús and Miramar in the north and extends as far the mouth of the River Molinell in the south, which is the boundary of the Province of Alicante and an area which once belonged to El Castillo de Rebollet, a mainly agricultural community where the monumental neo-Classical Archpriestly Church of Sant Maria la Mayor and San Roque Church - once a mosque - stand out. Olive lies 77km from Valencia.
In all four seasons, the whole of the Valencia coast is an inviting place because of its magnificent climatic conditions.