xativa ( Jativa ) Valencia Spain

Xàtiva Monumental Town
The town of Jativa, written Xàtiva in Valenciano, is located in the central part of the Valencia region and is 25 km from the coast of Gandia as the crow flies and 35 minutes by more modern methods, in a car. The ancient town of Xàtiva sits at the foot of the Sierra Vernissa, protected my mountains. Not to be mistaken for a sleeping inland town, Xàtiva has an impressive amount of cultural and historic past, with archeological remains dating back to 30,000 years B.C. The town has romantic gardens to stroll through and rows of century old plane trees along the main street that runs through town, the Alameda where you can still see the old castle wall.
It was from Xàtiva that the Moors introduced paper to the rest of Europe, that in the 14th and 15th centuries two future Borgia Popes were born and it was here where the Iberians minted their first coins.
Today, Xàtiva is a modern town in the Valencia province. By 2007, the fast train from Valencia will stop at Xàtiva making it a mere 90 minutes to arrive in the center of Madrid. Motorway access to the area is also very good with a new infrastructure in place over the past 4 years. Visitors to the area can feel the vibrancy of a historic, cultural town while wandering through the cobbled streets.

Around the town of Xàtiva are nestled a dozen or more villages, some consisting of just one street. Most have a bus service to Xàtiva and others with train connections to the historic town and Valencia City. Llosa de Ranes, Rotgla, Llanera, Torella, Cerda, Valles, Canals, Alcudia de Crespins, Novetlè are to name a few, most housing sport centers, municipal pools and weekly fruit and vegetable markets. Xàtiva holds two large markets a week selling everything from churros to trainers.

The Castillo or Castle in Xàtiva gives fantastic 360º panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. To the North is a view over the town and to the orchards surrounding Xàtiva where you can clearly see some of the villages mentioned above. The majority of surviving walls and towers are Moorish in technique and Gothic in style and if you are looking for something different, in the summer months live music and theatre groups perform open air in the castle grounds.

For those looking for cultural activities in Xàtiva, the theatre on the Alameda has numerous exhibitions. Concerts, theatrical performances, meetings, conferences and seminars run throughout the year. You can get further information at the Municipal Tourist Office where the staff is very friendly. Also enjoy one of Xàtiva`s many fiestas and fairs. In August you will find Xàtiva alive with the town fair (feria) from 15th - 20th August where traders from all over Spain gather and the main street in Xàtiva becomes alive with a multitude of stalls, fun fair rides, bars, theatres, rock bands, and many other events.

For those who like a day at the beach, a 30 minutes drive will take you the shores of the Mediterranean. With the beautiful fresh water swimming in the area, you have the best of both worlds. 12 minutes by car from Xàtiva leads to the Albufera Park in Anna, where you can take a boat out on the lake or have a swim. Another beautiful area is the Escalera de Gorgos. Make sure you have your walking shoes on as to enter the crystal clear gorge you need to go down 100 steps and come back up again. However, well worth it as this natural paradise is a sight you will not want to miss.

Rock climbers have the opportunity to practice their skills on the shores of the Albaida River where the Cova Negra or Black Cave is located. It is here that archeologists uncovered the skull of a Neanderthal man dating back to the Mousterian period, 30,000 years B.C.
Walkers, who come to Xàtiva in Valencia, have an abundance of trails and tracks to take them through the mountains and countryside with difficulty levels to suit all.