MONUMENTAL XÀTIVA

A city steeped in history

MONUMENTAL XÀTIVA

A city steeped in history

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Xàtiva’s monuments stand in stately testimony to the prominent role the city has played across the ages. An Episcopal seat at the time of the Visigoths, it scaled the heights of cultural splendour under Moorish rule. Then, following the Christian reconquest, it was the second biggest city in the Kingdom of Valencia, and home to great names such as the Borgia family, which gave the world two popes, and the painter Josep (or Jusepe) de Ribera, known as Lo Spagnoletto. It was an Austrian stronghold in the War of the Spanish Succession and was razed under the orders of Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain – an event still branded on the city and on the collective memory of its inhabitants, who have since come to be known as socarrats or “the singed ones”.

trinitat-1

The ancient core of this special city was officially declared a Site of Historical and Artistic Interest in 1982, and you simply cannot visit without taking a leisurely stroll around the streets of the old quarter and pausing to admire its spectacular collection of monuments born of a turbulent past and present. Crowned from on high by the imposing watchtower of El Castell, Xàtiva is home to such great buildings as the collegiate basilica of Santa María (known as La Seu or La Colegiata), the Hospital Reial, the chapels of Sant Feliu, Sant Josep and Santa Anna, the churches of Sant Pere and Sant Francesc, Plaça de la Trinitat square, the former convent of Sant Domènec, the birthplace of Pope Alexander VI, and various palaces from different periods.

trinitat-1

The ancient core of this special city was officially declared a Site of Historical and Artistic Interest in 1982, and you simply cannot visit without taking a leisurely stroll around the streets of the old quarter and pausing to admire its spectacular collection of monuments born of a turbulent past and present. Crowned from on high by the imposing watchtower of El Castell, Xàtiva is home to such great buildings as the collegiate basilica of Santa María (known as La Seu or La Colegiata), the Hospital Reial, the chapels of Sant Feliu, Sant Josep and Santa Anna, the churches of Sant Pere and Sant Francesc, Plaça de la Trinitat square, the former convent of Sant Domènec, the birthplace of Pope Alexander VI, and various palaces from different periods.

 

Historical Monuments

OTHER MONUMENTS

  • Ermita de Santa Anna chapel
  • Real Monasterio de Santa Clara monastery
  • Birthplace of Pope Alexander VI
  • Iglesia de Sant Pere church
  • The Borgias’ Palace (Palau de los Borja)
  • Ermita del Puig chapel

El Castell

Perched on high, this watchtower has stood guard over Xàtiva across the ages, and no visit to the city is complete without trip round its imposing fortifications.

El Castell

Perched on high, this watchtower has stood guard over Xàtiva across the ages, and no visit to the city is complete without trip round its imposing fortifications.

La Colegiata

A city landmark four centuries in the construction, this basilica houses a major collection of religious art.

La Colegiata

A city landmark four centuries in the construction, this basilica houses a major collection of religious art.

Hospital Reial

One of the city’s most beautiful and fascinating buildings, an icon of 16th-century architecture.

Hospital Reial

One of the city’s most beautiful and fascinating buildings, an icon of 16th-century architecture.

Plaça de la Trinitat

Heart of the mediaeval city and home to important buildings and palaces.

Plaça de la Trinitat

Heart of the mediaeval city and home to important buildings and palaces.

Iglesia de Sant Domènec

Once part of a Gothic convent, this church was a major hub for mediaeval culture.

Iglesia de Sant Domènec

Once part of a Gothic convent, this church was a major hub for mediaeval culture.

Iglesia de Sant Feliu

Built in the time of King Jaume I on the remnants of an ancient Visigoth cathedral, this church houses an exceptional collection of pictorial works.

Iglesia de Sant Feliu

Built in the time of King Jaume I on the remnants of an ancient Visigoth cathedral, this church houses an exceptional collection of pictorial works.

Iglesia de Sant Francesc

Built on Carrer Montcada street in the old aristocratic quarter, this church was mausoleum for members of the Borgia family.

Iglesia de Sant Francesc

Built on Carrer Montcada street in the old aristocratic quarter, this church was mausoleum for members of the Borgia family.

Other Monuments

Santa-Anna-5

Ermita de Santa Anna

Built in flamboyant Gothic style by Pope Alexander VI, this chapel affords extraordinary views of Xàtiva and El Castell.

santa-clara

Real Monasterio de Santa Clara

Originally built in the Gothic and Baroque styles, this 14th-century monastery has subsequently been remodelled and extended.

Santa-Anna-5

Ermita de Santa Anna

Built in flamboyant Gothic style by Pope Alexander VI, this chapel affords extraordinary views of Xàtiva and El Castell.

santa-clara

Real Monasterio de Santa Clara

Originally built in the Gothic and Baroque styles, this 14th-century monastery has subsequently been remodelled and extended.

fuentes-02

Birthplace of Pope Alexander VI

Owned by the Borgias for several generations, contemporary accounts have it that Pope Alexander VI was born on what is now the left-hand mezzanine level.

sant-pere

Iglesia de Sant Pere

An example of the so-called Conquista Gothic style propagated by the mendicant orders, this church boasts a fine main altarpiece.

fuentes-02

Birthplace of Pope Alexander VI

Owned by the Borgias for several generations, contemporary accounts have it that Pope Alexander VI was born on what is now the left-hand mezzanine level.

sant-pere

Iglesia de Sant Pere

An example of the so-called Conquista Gothic style propagated by the mendicant orders, this church boasts a fine main altarpiece.

Palau

Palau de los Borja

Constructed in the 15th century, the Borgias’ Palace was the Colegiata archdeacon’s seat, with the Borgia coat of arms still visible above the noble arched doorway.

ermita-puig-(2)

Ermita del Puig

Built in the Gothic style in the 14th century, this religious retreat is a veritable local landmark.

Palau

Palau de los Borja

Constructed in the 15th century, the Borgias’ Palace was the Colegiata archdeacon’s seat, with the Borgia coat of arms still visible above the noble arched doorway.

ermita-puig-(2)

Ermita del Puig

Built in the Gothic style in the 14th century, this religious retreat is a veritable local landmark.

AUDIO GUIDES

Monumental Xàtiva - Historical Introduction

The day they left Valencia
they sought residence in Xàtiva

….
as was their custom when
arriving in a new place
the lords rode forth to behold the plazas
streets, palaces and temples

 Ludovico Ariosto
Orlando el furioso –
(Reggio Emilia 1474 / Ferrara 1533)