The Kingdom of Valencia is a historical part of Spain which was formed in the 13th century and has been existing for the following 500 years as a part of the Spanish Crown. The Kingdom of Valencia became the basis thanks to which we can speak about Valencia practically as a souvereign state.
The Kingdom of Valencia was founded in 1237 after the final victory of the troops of King Jaime I over the Moors. Despite the fact that the Kingdom was officially under the patronage of King Aragon, in fact it was an independent state. The main legal document of the state was Valencia Charter which gave the region great sovereign power. More than that, many of the laws of modern Valencia Community practically repeat the parts of the Charter.
From the end of the 14th up to the beginning of the 16th century the Kingdom of Valencia experienced a great economic boom. It became possible because of the active trade in the Mediterranean region. The striking illustration of the economic power of the Kingdom can be the preserved building of the Silk Stock- Exchange in the city of Valencia. The Silk Stock Exchange had been the greatest trade station of the Mediterranean region for 200 years till the end of the 16th century. Besides the Stock Exchange “the Golden Age” of Valencia is represented in the capital of the community by other two buildings: the Palace of the City Counsil and the Cathedral.
The traditions of the Kingdom are still alive in modern Valencia. The example of them is the existence of Water Tribunal in the capital. The representatives of the Tribunal meet each Thursday in front of the main Cathedral of Valencia to solve the problem of irrigation of the neighbouring territories. The first Tribunal was held in 1238. Since that time the procedure of taking decisions has not been changed. The conservatism of this kind is very interesting for tourists.
The Kingdom of Valencia is famous for one of the odious families of medieval Europe known as Bordzhia clan. The native place for this family is considered to be Gandia resort where the Palace of Bordzhia is situated. Xativa is famous as the native place of two representatives of this clan who later became Roman Popes. They are Calikstus III and his nephew Alexander VI.
The history of the Kingdom of Valencia had come to an end by the beginning of the 18th century when after the War for Spanish Heritage the region lost the right of self-government. Nevertheless two hundred years later Valencia was able to get freedom which its people had been dreaming about for so long. It became a part of renewed Spain.
