Gandia

On the east coast of Spain

A town located in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, on the east coast of Spain, 65 km south of Valencia and 96 km north of Alicante. The capital of the region of La Safor. Located on the Mediterranean Sea in the stretch of coast called Costa del Azahar which is part of the Costa Blanca. As of 2022, the population was 75,911.

Rich history of the region

Everyone will find something for themselves in Gandia. The region's rich history and amazing landscapes make it unique. It is a popular destination for those who love sandy beaches, mountain hiking and extreme sports. The beginnings of settlement in the area date back to the Paleolithic era. In 1252, during the reign of King James I, it was conquered by Christians who took over the local lands from Muslim rule. This moment became a turning point in the development of Gandia, ushering in the city's expansion in trade, agriculture, crafts and demography. Later, the city was granted the status of a dutchy and was transformed into a small prestigious medieval court, following the model of the Italian Renaissance, which featured well-known figures of the time such as Ausias March, Joanot Martorell and Roís de Corella.

The year 1485

In 1485, Rodrigo de Borja (Pope Alexander VI) bought the duchy for his eldest son Pere Luís de Borja, the duke died childless. He was succeeded by his brother Juan de Borja, who married his late brother's wife María Enríquez. The couple lived to have a son; when the duke was assassinated in 1497 it was María Enríquez who became regent. The period of her rule was a time of greatest cultural and economic prosperity, several important nearby mansions were acquired and the accounts were put in order. This period of splendor ended under the rule of the Fourth Duke, the city's patron San Francisco de Borja founder of Escuelas Pías, which later became the first University of the Society of Jesus in the world. The time of the Borja family was a period of splendor for the city, new buildings were built, old ones were rebuilt, the influx of people resulted in driving the economy and thus the rapid development of the city. To this day, many valuable relics from that period remain in the city.

Key cultural events

At the time when Gandia was in the hands of the Borja family, it was considered one of the most prosperous cities on the peninsula. The 18th century, however, was far from kind to the city which was gradually slipping into decline culminating in the War of Succession. The situation began to improve only in the early 19th century, the city gradually tried to rebuild its position. A port and railroad were established, and new market sectors such as the cultivation and sale of oranges grew in importance. The 20th century was a time of tourism development, one that in fact continues in Gandia to this day. The tourist offer is constantly updated to meet the changing expectations of the customer. Today Gandia is a beach, mountains, uncommon architecture and a series of cultural and entertainment events for people of all age ranges.
Key cultural events of GANDIA and the surrounding area:

JANUARY Gandia: CABALGATA El Día de los Reyes Magos
MARCH Gandia: LAS FALLAS
APRIL Alcoy: Moros y Cristianos
EASTER Gandia: SEMANA SANTA
MAY Yecla: Fiestas de San Isidro Labrador de Yecla Cabalgata de Carrozas (Carriage Parade)
JUNE CORPUS CHRISTI DAY Gandia: El Corpus Christi
JUNE Gandia: La Festivitat de Sant Joan
JULY Gandia: PIRATA BEACH FESTIVAL
AUGUST Gandia: El Mediterránea Festival
AUGUST BUNOL: LA TOMATINA
AUGUST CULLERA: Medusa Sunbeach Festival
AUGUST ALTEA: Castell de l'Olla
SEPTEMBER Gandia: FIRA I FESTES, FESTES PATRONALES