Xativa is a small town in the province of Valencia, the historical significance of which is greater than its geografical one.
Xativa is not situated at the sea. The main water way of the place is the river Albahida. The railway through Xativa connects the main city of the community Valencia with Murcia. Nowadays there are about 30000 citizens in Xativa.
Speaking about the past, Xativa has a great historical heritage. The place is famous mostly because it is a native town of the well-known Spanish artist Jose Ribeira and two of the Roman Popes of Bordzhia dinasty. From the 13th till the 18th century the town had been the second significant political and cultural centre of the Valencia Kingdom.
Xativa is the first European town where paper started to be produced. The Moors, to whom the place had belonged for a long time, founded the first paper factory on the European continent in the 12th century. Since that time a special kind of paper known as Xativie has been produced there.
The architecture of Xativa is an original unity of styles of different epochs which is a characteristic feature of many Mediterranean cities. The main characteristic feature of Xativa landscape is that it has two castles in one place. They are Castillo Mayor and Castillo Menor situated on the two tops of one hill which is called Monte Bernis. There is an observation ground in Monte Mayor (which is on the right side). From this ground a wonderful view of the vicinity of Xativa can be seen.
The old part of Xativa is known nowadays as the “historical and artistic centre”. It was formed in the 10th century and today it is a part of the town with small streets, lanes and cosy squares. The most charming is Montcada Street. The facades of the houses in Montcada Street are decorated with the original armorial bearings.
It is impossible to imagine Xativa without its churches. The main one is Maria’s Cathedral of Assumption which is the example of neoclassicism. Next to the cathedral there is Board Museum with a unique collection of Church Art. Among the other churches of Xativa the most famous are the Church of St. Francisk and St. Paul’s Church.
The most famous holiday in Xativa is Fallas which is held before the Easter. It is an interesting holiday, the culmination of which is the night parade of sculptures made of papier-mache. The sculptures are usually made for a year by the members of the so-called “fallera community” and at the finale of the holiday they are solemnly burnt and the new ones are made again.
