FACT FILE:

Difficulty: None

Type of route: Urban.

Length: 1.5 km

Recommendations: camera.

The origins of ALCALA DE XIVERT date back to the valencian Bronze Age, the mid 7^th century BC, at the time when the Iberians occupied the entire Mediterranean coast Romans, Moors and Christians later settle in these lands due to their strategic and commercial importance, and this town even become one of the leading ports under the Crown of Aragon, simultaneously becoming one of the continual objectives of Barbary pirate attacks from the northern coasts of Africa. It is therefore no surprise that the townsfolk of ALCALA DE XIVERT built walls around the town for protection. The most noteworthy pirate attack took place in 1547, but they were pushed back to the sea. In commemoration of this triumph, a stone plaque was placed outside the PUERTA DE SAN JUAN, only to be moved in later years to a corner of the plaza when the gates to the town were pulled down in the early 19^th century.

Inside the town of ALCALA DE XIVERT you can visit the church square, PLAZA DE LA IGLESIA, to see the architectural complex known as the CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE BELLTOWER and the PAROCHIAL MUSEUM, dating from the second half of the 18^th century and the early 19^th century. Also of note among the town's religious monuments are the ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHAPEL and the "LITTLE CHAPELS" OF THE SAINTS VICTORIA AND ACISCLO, which are actually rectangular ceramic panels with 15 tiles, built to honour the patron saints of the town, forming a series of religious sites ALCALA DE XIVERT. Also of note is the CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF THE FORSAKEN, built in the early 18^th century in masonry work with two doorways in post and lintel construction.

Around the ALCALA DE XIVERT town centre you can also see a series of civil constructions built over the centuries to satisfy the needs of the population, some now fallen into disuse, such as water wells, and others still very much alive, such as the TOWN HALL building, where the BANNER OF ALCALA DE XIVERT is kept safely inside, or the renaissance style CULTURE CENTRE, which for many centuries was the seat of local government, with the JAIL located in the basement. The MARKET OF ALCALA DE XIVERT, first opened in 1921, gives its name to the square where it is located, Plaza del Mercado. This was designed by the local Baron of Alcahalí, who was once the Mayor of Valencia and Member of Parliament. In 1905 he published a book on the history of the town called "Alcala de Xivert: Recuerdos historicos". It was the Baron of Alcahalí who recounted the historic enthusiasm of the townsfolk for the Crown of Spain, as shown in a local monument called the KING´S COLUMN, an obelish commemorating the visit of Carlos IV and his family to the town in 1802.

It was built on the very same site where the monarch stayed during a hunt organised in his honour. These are example of the local architecture, of the king that shows how people once lived. The streets and buildings of this town are capable of transporting you back to a time when people also sought solutions for everyday problems, in a way that we can very much appreciate today.

HIKER´S RULES:

Pets should e kept on a leash and should be prevents from dirtying pavements or gardens.

Pets are not allowed n public buildings, churches, museums, etc.

Keep the town clean. Use litter baskets.