Since its beginnings the city of Valencia has been home to numerous civilisations, each contributing to the diversity of its heritage.
Valencia was founded by the Romans under the name of ´Valentia´ in 138BC. She was later destroyed in 75BC during the war between Pompeii and Sertorio but began to recuperate her former state from the middle of the 1st century AD. She was invaded by Germanic Visigoths and later the Muslims who turned the city into a splendid economic and cultural centre. The Arabic legend can still be seen today in the traditional local handicrafts, the irrigation system, the rice fields and the orange groves.
Liberated by the infamous ´El Cid de Campeador´, the city was not then reconquered until 1238 when King Jaime I of Aragon took over and brought with him an autonomous legislation by name of ´Los Fueros´. This was a period of veritable urban change and development for Valencia. New Christian churches were built and gothic style architecture was introduced.
The 15th and 16th centuries saw economic, political and cultural renovation: Valencia was home to an array of renowned artists and writers amongst whom was the novelist Joanot Mortorell who was to prove an inspiration for Miguel de Cervantes´ infamous epic novel, Don Quixote, and later even for our very own Shakespeare. The city was transformed into one of the greatest economical potentials in the whole of the Meditteranean and some of the city´s most symbollic buildings, such as the Torres de Serrano, the Lonja and the Miguelete Tower were built. (pic: Joanot Mortorell if poss)
Unfortunately, after the War of Succession and on the back of the Battle of Almansa, the privileges of the Fueros instilled by the notorious El Cid were abolished. The 17th century was full of political tension, plague and Baroque protocol. Throughout the 18th century Valencia was involved in the economic and cultural rebirth of the country and the 19th century belonged to the bougeoisie who, in offering the monarchy their support, took advantage of the high levels of exportation and thus a large financial gain.
At the beginning of the 20th century the metal, textile and electrical industries took off. For a certain period during the Spanish Civil War, Valencia took on the role of Capital of the Republican government but suffered a huge economical loss after the floods of 1957. However, with the death of General Franco in 1975 and the re-establishment of the monarchy, the Communitat Valenciana was eventually awarded its autonomous statute.
Today Valencia is in the throws of massive urban transformation with the realisation of some immense building projects and a flourishing tourist market, only to be enhanced by the hosting of the America´s Cup in 2007. Sitting on the Mediterranean coast and home to a myriad of important exhibitions, councils and festivals, this city succeeds in simultaneously pampering its historic roots and looking forward to a potentially very prosperous future.
Written by Suzanne Bailey for Ibericity.com, May 2006
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