Kingdom of Valencia: History, Law, and Legacy

Before the conquest, Valencia, known as Balansiya, was part of the Islamic-ruled territories of the Iberian Peninsula. After a siege, the city surrendered in September 1238; Jaume I entered it on October 9. The conquest did not simply expand Aragon, but gave rise to a new kingdom within the Crown of Aragon. The kingdom received its own laws and institutions, which defined its position alongside Aragon and Catalonia.

The population and patterns of coexistence changed considerably in the decades that followed. Christian settlers arrived in the conquered territories, while Muslim residents continued to live there under changing conditions or left the region. The conquest was thus a political and social upheaval, not merely the creation of a new administration.

An important foundation was the Furs de València, the kingdom’s laws and privileges. They governed, among other things, the administration of justice, taxes, and political responsibilities. The representative assembly of the Cortes, along with other institutions, represented the kingdom’s interests to the monarch. The Crown of Aragon was a union of several territories; having the same rulers did not mean that the same laws and administrations applied everywhere.

This distinction matters when interpreting historical terms: the Kingdom of Valencia was politically self-governing, but it was neither a sovereign republic nor a modern nation-state. Its institutions operated within a composite monarchy, where the king’s power and local rights were repeatedly negotiated.

In the 15th century, Valencia developed into an important economic and cultural center on the Mediterranean. Trade, crafts, and agriculture contributed to its prosperity. A striking testament to this period is the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) in Valencia. Construction began in 1482; the complex stands as a symbol of the importance of trade and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This flourishing was also reflected in literature, art, and urban architecture. At the same time, the kingdom was shaped by conflicts, epidemics, social tensions, and disputes over political rights. A “golden age” therefore describes economic and cultural high points, not uniform prosperity for all residents.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the kingdom largely supported the Habsburg Archduke Charles. After Philip V’s victory, he issued the Nueva Planta decrees in 1707. They abolished Valencia’s own laws and institutions and incorporated the territory more fully into the centralized monarchy. This brought the kingdom’s special constitutional status to an end.

The present-day Autonomous Community of Valencia is a much later political entity. It draws on a regional identity and distinct traditions, but it is not the same as the historical kingdom. For an overview of Valencia’s medieval history, see also the article about El Cid and Valencia, whose rule preceded the founding of the kingdom.

For a deeper historical perspective, the Museu d’Història de València provides an overview of the city in the Middle Ages and its development after 1238. The eras can also be traced through buildings such as the Silk Exchange.

The historical kingdom explains why Valencia has such a distinctive legal and cultural history. Its laws and institutions shaped political development for centuries; language, urban buildings, and regional landmarks keep different eras visible to this day. Visitors to Valencia can discover this history in its historic buildings, while bearing in mind that modern institutions and borders emerged from later developments.

The Kingdom of Valencia was not independent of the Crown of Aragon, but it was more than a mere province. Between its founding in 1238 and the abolition of its own rights in 1707, a distinct political tradition took shape—one that remains illuminating for understanding the region today.

For a broader understanding of the political history, the overview of the history of Valencia covers further periods and events. The Islamic period and the Christian conquest are explored in more depth in the article about Moors and Christians in Valencia; the article on El Cid takes readers back to an earlier period, before the kingdom was founded.

For visitors, history comes particularly alive in Valencia’s Old Town, where important buildings from several centuries have been preserved. The overview of museums in Valencia can also help you choose a place to visit. The role of the Borja family and its later political significance can be explored on a trip to Gandia: the Palau Ducal dels Borja adds a tangible place to the broader history; the guide to Gandia is a good companion.

An overview of the province of Valencia also offers a regional perspective on its historic towns and landscapes. If you’re looking for a contrast with the medieval buildings after your visit, you’ll find it at the City of Arts and Sciences. Be sure to check current opening hours and access arrangements for museums and historic buildings before your visit.