Valencia is a Spanish city, which is the capital of the autonomous association of Valencia and the region of the same name. In terms of population, it is the third city in Spain, behind Madrid and Barcelona.
Geographically located near the confluence of the Turia River, currently half drained, into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Romans founded a settlement on this site in 138 BC, although the Greeks and Carthaginians chose these places even earlier. In the 1st century BC, the Lusitanians took the city by storm, destroying it almost to the ground. After some time, the Romans regained this settlement, suppressing the uprising, and the Roman governor Decimus Junius Brutus restored the city, giving it the name Valentia, from the Latin "Valentia", which translates both as "Strength" or "Fortress", and as "Good omen" .
Ancient Valentia reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The rapid growth in the financial and cultural sphere was largely due to its convenient location - the city was located on the major trade route Via Sucronense.
Roman rule in the life of Valencia ended in 413, during the invasion of the Visigoths, who in addition to it captured other important Roman fortifications in the region, for example, the fortress of Sagunt.
In 714, after Valencia was captured by the Moors, the city became part of the Caliphate of Cordoba. The Islamic authorities again began to develop the economy and culture of Valencia, which the Visigoths practically did not pay attention to during their reign. In 718, Valencia already had 15,000 inhabitants.
Arabian Valencia reached the peak of its development by the beginning of the 11th century, when it became the capital of the Mauritanian kingdom after the collapse of the Caliphate. And for 5 centuries of Arab rule, from the 8th to the 13th century, with a short pause at the end of the 11th century, a complex of irrigation facilities was laid, fortress walls were reconstructed (from 1021 to 1061), stunning public houses were built (Arab baths are still preserved) , and the city has become one of the key centers of trade in the Mediterranean.
The famous Spanish commander Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, nicknamed Cid Campeador, or simply El Cid, managed to capture Valencia in 1094. He liberated the city from the Arabs and ruled here until his death in 1099. In his short reign, El Cid transformed Valencia from an Islamic settlement into one of the most important Catholic cities in Spain at the time. All Arab mosques were either demolished or rebuilt into Christian churches by 1096. After the death of El Cid, the city was ruled by his wife Jimena from 1099 to 1102, but she still had to surrender Valencia to the Arabs. Leaving the city, the Catholics almost completely burned it.
The Muslims reasserted their power in Valencia in 1102. This period of Moorish rule in Spain was marked by the friendly coexistence of Catholics, Arabs and Jews without religious oppression.
The Catholics were able to finally conquer Valencia only in 1238, when King Jaime I of Aragon conducted a successful military operation. The Arabs were driven out not only from the city, but also from the surrounding territories. On the site of the current regions of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón, King Jaime I ordered the creation of a sovereign state that became part of the Aragonese crown under the name of the Kingdom of Valencia. At the same time, a list of laws of the newly formed kingdom of Valencia, now known as "Liberties", was published, as well as the "Book of the Maritime Consulate" - the oldest code that considered legal issues related to navigation. In Valencia, meetings of the "Water Tribunal" began to be held, which controlled the consumption of water for the needs of agriculture.
The rapid construction of Catholic churches began in the city, the first church was built already in 1238, and the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1262.
In 1377, the coat of arms of Valencia was decorated with two letters "L", from "Leal" - "faithful", in commemoration of the recognition of its king Pedro Ceremonial "city twice betrayed" for loyalty during the war with Castile.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the kingdom of Valencia was one of the most financially influential among all the countries of the Mediterranean, and its capital was the largest center of trade. The lion's share of exports were textile products, silk and ceramics. Significant economic preferences were created for the merchant nobility of Valencia. The first bank in the city was opened in 1407, it was engaged in subsidizing operations on the local trading exchange. Financial well-being was reflected in the flourishing of the city's culture, stunning buildings were erected in Valencia: the bell tower of the Cathedral - the Mikalet tower; Silk exchange, etc.
The significance of the city for the Christian world also increased many times after the transfer in 1437 to Valencia of the chalice of the Holy Grail, from which Jesus Christ ate during the Last Supper, and his disciples also communed, and into which Joseph of Arimathea collected the blood of the crucified Savior. The official Roman church recognized the cup as one of the Instruments of the Passion of Christ.
The discovery of the American continent and the establishment of a transatlantic ship communication led to a shift in the center of trade and economic interests to the Atlantic coast. Shortly thereafter, by decision of the central authorities of Madrid, despite their resistance, the merchant nobility of Valencia was deprived of all privileges.
The strongest shock to the financial life of the city, which predetermined a deep decline in the economy, was the expulsion from Spain in 1609 of the Moors (Moriscos), who converted to Christianity, who accounted for almost a third of all residents of Valencia and the backbone of its working population.
As part of the War of the Spanish Succession, Valencia fought on the side of the Habsburgs, specifically Charles VI. After the Bourbons won the battle of Almansa in April 1707, Philip V of Bourbon abolished the sovereign rights of the Valencian kingdom and transferred its lands to the possession of the Aragonese crown. Local residents lost all privileges, including the ability to speak their own language, which was officially banned and thus put under the threat of destruction.
During the Napoleonic invasion of 1808 - 1812, Valencia bravely repelled the attacks of French soldiers, as evidenced by the towers of the Quart gate, riddled with shells. But in 1812, Napoleon's troops still managed to take the city and, for a short period (until the middle of 1813), subjugate it to their own power.
The middle of the 19th century was marked by the comprehensive growth of the economy of Valencia, largely due to the export of rice and citrus fruits, which gave impetus to major changes in the appearance of the city. The fortification walls that slowed down the expansion of the city were demolished in 1865.
During the Civil War of 1936-1939 in Spain, Valencia, in fact, was the temporary capital of the state, since the Republican government was based here.
The Valencia metro was opened in 1988, including tram routes as well.
temperature 17-18°C. However, it is from the Romans that the official history of the city begins its countdown.Initially, the Roman settlement was small and was located on the territory of the current Cathedral (Catedral de Valencia) and the square adjacent to it, as evidenced by the Forum found during excavations and the preserved part of the main intersection of Cardo and Decumano streets. The streets had typical names for the times of the Roman colonial conquests and set the direction for travelers to the cardinal points. Under the Romans, the main irrigation system was built to irrigate the Valencian lands. In the future, it only underwent minor changes and improvements, so we can safely say that the legacy of the Romans is still alive and relevant.
The history of Valencia originates in ancient Rome. In 75 BC, Valencia, just beginning to grow, was destroyed during a military confrontation between two commanders of the Roman army, Quintus Sertorius and Pompey. As a result of this territorial struggle, the well-known principle “neither ours nor yours” worked - Valencia remained destroyed and abandoned over the next 50 years.
In the 1st century BC, the city was revived anew and began to grow again. In the fifth century, when the great Roman Empire collapsed, the city was taken over by Visigothic troops. Their presence inhibited the development of the city, and as a result, until 714, the period of the existence of Valencia can be characterized exclusively as stagnant. Since 714, when the Moors captured Valencia, the active development of the still small city began again. Under the patronage of the Caliphate, the population increased significantly, irrigation was improved, and Valencia was recognized as the capital of the Mauritanian kingdom.
The period of Islam ended with the arrival in 1094 of the Spanish army led by the Castilian nobleman Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the famous commander of Cid Campeador. He freed the city from the Moors and turned it into one of the largest and most important Christian centers in the country. But in 1102, the Moors again captured the city and established Islamic rule.
In general, this period of history remains poorly understood due to a lack of information and confirmed facts. It is only known that the city was turned into an autonomous state, in which the main goal was not to develop the city, but to instill in the population faith in Islam, to introduce Muslim traditions and habits. The only evidence of that time, which has partially come down to us, is the fortress wall.
The city finally became Christian in 1238. The armed invasion of the Aragonese king Jaime I the Conqueror (Jaime I el Conquistador) rid the lands of Valencia from Muslims and shifted the city's development policy towards improvement and prosperity. During this period, Valencia and the surrounding provinces were declared an independent state, called the Kingdom of Valencia. The population of the province was multinational and quite numerous - 120,000 Muslim believers, 65,000 Christians and only 2,000 Jews. But the epidemic of smallpox that took place in 1348 led to a significant reduction in the number of inhabitants of the city.
Also under James I, the first set of laws of the new kingdom of Valencia, called "liberties", was created, and the very first code of maritime law in the history of the state, called the "Book of the Maritime Consulate", was written. Meetings so beloved by the people - the "Water Tribunal" - to resolve controversial issues about irrigation and irrigation, the tradition of organizing which has not been lost to this day, also became widespread during the reign of the Aragonese king.
For the twice successfully repelled attacks of the Castilian troops (1363 and 1364), King Pedro the Ceremonial proclaimed Valencia a twice-faithful city in 1377, and 2 letters L appeared on the coat of arms (from Spanish leal - “faithful”).
The end of the 14th century was marked by the beginning of the expansion of the Christian faith in the kingdom. First, the Jewish quarters were affected, and later the Muslim population was also subject to forced conversion. It was from this century that the Christian faith was finally strengthened in Valencia. However, this is what allowed the new state to develop and strengthen in the future, as well as to become the homeland for many great religious figures.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the kingdom of Valencia became the largest economic power on the entire Mediterranean coast. For many merchants and industrialists at that time, Valencia was of great interest as a powerful trading center that exported silk, ceramics, and textiles. The commercial aristocracy of the city received significant financial privileges from the government, which they successfully used to help the development of the city.
According to historians, the real cultural heyday of Valencia came precisely in the 15th century: the first bank was opened, the first book in the Valencian dialect was printed, many magnificent buildings were built in the city, and the Silk Market appeared. A significant role in the prosperity of the city was played by the fact that the Chalice was delivered to the built Cathedral, in which, according to legend, the blood of Jesus crucified on the cross was collected. The Holy Grail was the only such relic officially recognized by the Vatican.
After the discovery of America, the authorities of Madrid shifted their focus in politics, directing it to weaken the rapidly developing Valencia, which was facilitated by the overdue conflict of power in Spain. In the 17th century, the wrong bet was made in Valencia, and, having supported the side of the Archduke of Austria against the representatives of the Bourbons, the city lost. After the battle of Almansa for the Spanish heritage, Valencia was deprived of all privileges, and the business center was shifted to the Atlantic coast. In addition, in 1609, the Moriscos (baptized Moors) were expelled from the country, who greatly contributed to the prosperity of both Valencia and all of Spain. The abolition of privileges affected many aspects of the life of the city and almost completely deprived it of autonomy. Even the use of the local dialect was banned. Naturally, all these actions subsequently led to a protracted crisis.
With the beginning of the period of aggressive wars of Napoleon Bonaparte, Valencia had to not only resist the oppression of its own rights by the Spanish crown, but also fight the French. During the onslaught of the French troops in 1808-1812, despite fierce resistance, Valencia for a short period was at the mercy of the French.
In the middle of the 19th century, after an economic lull in Valencia, there is again a noticeable revival in industry and trade due to the cultivation and sale of citrus crops and rice. This made it possible to carry out large-scale transformations that led to a dramatic change in the face of Valencia. So in 1865 the fortress walls were demolished, holding back the growth of the city. In addition, the population grew significantly, the largest financial institution was created - the Bank of Valencia - covering more than half of the regions of Spain.
The next serious negative shocks, which led to a decline in the economy and cultural development of the city, occurred in the second third of the 20th century, when the Italian fascist fleet waged a long siege with regular shelling. The city suffered, there were thousands of wounded and many dead.
But even this story was not enough. In 1957, a flood occurred in Valencia, which also brought destruction and loss of life. It was this catastrophe that radically changed the geographical map of the city - by decree of the government of Valencia, the course of the Turia River was changed, and gardens were planted and beautiful architectural structures were built on the site of the old one.
There is one remarkable fact in the history of Valencia: during the years of the Civil War (1936 - 1939), the city became the seat of the republican government, accepting the status of the temporary capital of all of Spain.
In 1988, the metro began to operate in the city. In general, over the past decades, Valencia has changed beyond recognition. New buildings appeared, infrastructure improved, and the city turned into the most popular tourist region in Spain, a kind of leader in the field of European summer tourism.
The city of Valencia was founded in 138 BC. Romans on the site of a local settlement already existing here to accommodate their soldiers who fought with the recalcitrant tribes of the Iberian Peninsula. And then the city was named accordingly Valencia Edetanorum, which means "strength, valor", and Edetania was the name of this province.
The place for the city was chosen strategically - on an important road leading to and named after Emperor Augustus. This contributed to the rapid growth and development of the city. And although in 75 BC. it was destroyed by Pompey for his allegiance to his enemy Sertorius, but after a while it was rebuilt again.
In the 5th c. Valencia was captured by the Visigoths, in 625 recaptured from them by the Byzantines. And in 714 the Moors invaded here and the city was incorporated into the Caliphate of Cordoba. The era of Islamic domination began, during which Valencia developed even more - many new buildings were built, the population grew. And in the 11th century. the city became one of the most important centers of trade in the Western Mediterranean.
In 1094, the legendary Spanish commander, national hero El Cid Campeador (real name Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar) managed to defeat the vastly superior Mauritanian army at the Battle of Qarta, liberated Valencia and became her ruler. But in 1099 he died and a few years later Muslim rule was again established here.
The city of Valencia was finally conquered only in 1238. when King Jaime I of Aragon took it by storm during the Reconquista. Then he united the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón as part of Kingdom of Valencia and added it to the Aragonese crown. After that, the process of Christianization of the city began - Muslims were expelled, mosques were converted into Christian churches and new churches were erected, including -.
In the following centuries, the economic rise of the city begins, reaching its maximum in the 15th century. He is called "Golden Age" of Valencia. Then the Kingdom of Valencia becomes one of the largest economic powers in the Mediterranean. The first city bank was opened, and other famous buildings were built. The population of the city exceeded 75 thousand people. And in 1437, the Holy Grail was brought to Valencia - the cup from which Jesus Christ ate at the Last Supper and into which, after the crucifixion, his blood was collected.
But after the discovery of America, sea trade routes moved to the Atlantic and at the beginning of the 17th century. the role of Valencia began to weaken. And after the rise of his power, they begin an economic struggle with the financial Valencian aristocracy, thereby exacerbating the onset of the crisis. The decline of Valencia reached its peak during the War of the Spanish Succession, when it took the side of the Habsburgs in the person of Charles VI and the victorious Philip V of Bourbon abolished the Kingdom of Valencia and completely subordinated it to the Crown of Aragon.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the city resisted the French troops for a long time and staunchly, but was nevertheless taken for a short time. In the middle of the 19th century thanks to the general revival of the economy and trade, Valencia recovered and was subjected to restructuring and transformation. During the Civil War 1936-39. the republican government was located in the city, i.e. it actually served as the capital.
In recent years, Valencia has been actively developing not only economically. It restores its language and culture. The city's population is growing steadily.
The amazing city of Valencia, the third largest in Spain. It is located at the confluence of the partially drained Turia River into the Mediterranean Sea. There is no business bustle of crowded Madrid, cosmopolitan excitement of colorful Barcelona and the sweltering heat of dancing Seville. But there is the sea, excellent city beaches, the Holy Grail in the Cathedral, a lot of paella in local cafes (paella was invented in Valencia) and a unique futuristic City of Art and Science.
It is believed that the city was founded by the Romans in 138 BC. e., although in its place earlier there were settlements of the Greeks and Carthaginians. In the 1st century BC e. the city was besieged, captured and practically destroyed by the Lusitans. But soon after the defeat of the uprising, the Roman consul Decimus Junius Brutus Callaic rebuilt the city and named it Valentia (Valentia), which, in addition to a direct translation from the Latin “Strength”, “Honor”, also means “Good omen”. The heyday of ancient Valentia falls on the reign of Emperor Augustus.
Octavian August
In 413, Valencia was captured by the Visigoths. And in 714, the Moors conquered the city, calling it Balencilla and including it in the Caliphate of Cordoba. Under the Islamic “yoke”, the active development of Valencia resumed again. So in 718 the population of the city reached 15 thousand people. The beginning of the 11th century was the era of the highest prosperity of the Mauritanian Valencia, which turned into the capital of the Mauritanian kingdom, which was formed after the collapse of the caliphate. During the period of almost five centuries of Moorish rule, a network of irrigation canals was created, the city walls were rebuilt, impressive public buildings were erected, and the city became one of the largest centers of Mediterranean trade.
Monument to Cid in Burgos
In 1094, the legendary Spanish commander Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, better known to the people as Sid the Gatherer of Lands, was able to capture Valencia and free it from the Moors. During his reign, Cid turned Valencia from a Muslim city into one of the largest Christian centers in Spain at that time. But in 1102, Valencia again came under the rule of the Moors. During the retreat, the Christians burned Valencia. The city was finally recaptured by the Christians only in 1238, when the glorified King Jaime I of Aragon drove the Moors from the territories adjacent to Valencia. Jaime declared these lands the Kingdom of Valencia, which included the modern provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón.
Valencia. 19th century engraving
At the same time, "Liberties" were written - a code of laws of the kingdom of Valencia, and the oldest code of maritime law "Book of the Maritime Consulate" was created, and meetings of the People's Water Tribunal began to be held in the city, which monitored the distribution of water for irrigation of agricultural land. The beginning of active temple construction in the city dates back to this time. In 1377, King Pedro Ceremonial proclaimed Valencia a "twice loyal city", in connection with which two letters L appeared on its coat of arms. In the XV-XVI centuries, the Kingdom of Valencia became one of the largest economic powers on the Mediterranean coast - the city became a powerful business center, trading silk, textiles and ceramics.
Cathedral in Valencia
In 1407, the first city bank was opened to finance transactions on the merchant exchange, the famous Silk Exchange appeared, and the tower of the Cathedral - El Migalet - was built.
Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
The strengthening of the power of the city was largely facilitated by the delivery to Valencia in 1437 of the Holy Grail - the cup from which, according to legend, the apostles took communion at the Last Supper, and in which the blood of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross was later collected. Unlike the mystical chalice, which was owned by the Knights Templar, the Valencian Grail is officially recognized by the Vatican.
After the discovery of America and the establishment of maritime communications across the Atlantic, the center of business interests began to shift to the Atlantic coast. Soon the central authorities of Madrid broke the resistance of the Valencian financial aristocracy and deprived them of all privileges. A crushing blow to the economy of the city was the expulsion from the country in 1609 of the baptized Moors (Moriscos), who in many ways contributed to the prosperity of Valencia, and indeed of all of Spain. This led to a deep economic crisis, since at that time they made up a third of the city's population and the basis of its labor force.
Viewpoints (photo: Vincent Le Gallic)
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Valencia took the side of the Habsburgs (in the person of Charles VI). In this regard, after the victory of the Bourbons at the Battle of Almansa in April 1707, Philip V of Bourbon once again abolished the local privileges of the Valencians. In addition, Philip V abolished the autonomy of the Kingdom of Valencia and completely subordinated it to the Crown of Aragon. In addition to the loss of independence, Valencia was also in danger of losing its own language, since its use was officially prohibited.
Quart Gate (Torres de Quart) (photo: Aurélien)
In 1808-1812, during the struggle of Spain against Napoleon Bonaparte, Valencia heroically repulsed the onslaught of the French troops, evidence of which is, in particular, the Qart tower riddled with shells - one of the gates of the city. However, in 1812 the resistance of the city was nevertheless broken and the city for a short time (until the middle of 1813) was under the rule of the French.
In the middle of the 19th century, a general revival of the economy (mainly due to the trade in citrus fruits and rice) allowed for significant transformations that changed the face of Valencia. In 1865, the fortress walls that held back the growth of the city were demolished.
Quart towers (Torres de Quart), (photo: Eduard Bürge)
During the Civil War 1936-1939. the city was the seat of the republican government, in fact, the temporary capital of Spain. And during the reign of General Franco, Valencia, like other provincial cities in Spain, lost its former importance. The development of democracy in the country gave the city a new impetus. Modern Valencia is the third city in Spain not only in terms of population, but also in terms of economic potential.
