Picanya: History, Huerta and Valencian Lifestyle

Picanya Between History and the Huerta

Picanya combines its history with the landscapes of the Huerta, as well as with festivals and regional cuisine.

Picanya's origins are traced back to a Muslim alquería. During the Reconquista, James I transferred it, together with Torrent, to the Hospitaller Order in 1238. The old town lies around the former Alquerías de Sant Joan del Mercat and de Martí; this area forms the first known urban centre.

In the north of the municipality lies the Alquería de Foia in the Huerta de Benàger, north of the Barranco de Chiva and accessible via the Camí de la Foia. The Huerta de Benàger is an area with typical alquerías and an irrigation tradition dating back to the Andalusian period, using irrigation channels. The Alqueria de Raga is an alquería of Muslim origin and is considered one of Picanya's oldest monuments, particularly valued by the local population.

Culture, Architectural Heritage and the Ruta del Agua

The Centre Cultural is a building constructed in 1910 with a Modernist façade and an eclectic appearance; today, it is used as a cultural centre for performances and events. The Església de la Verge de Montserrat is a 17th-century Renaissance church. It consists of three naves arranged in the shape of a Latin cross. The Ateneu is considered a representative civic building in Picanya and a particularly noteworthy destination for visitors.

The Ruta del Agua is a circular route where visitors can discover the area's cultural, water-management and natural features.

Metro Connections and Routes through the Huerta

Picanya has a Metrovalencia station on lines 1, 2 and 7, connecting the municipality with Valencia. In addition, Picanya has an extensive network of cycling routes throughout the municipality, extending for more than 18 kilometres. Picanya's cycling network offers panoramic views over the Huerta and passes through areas with numerous tree species.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the metro connection to Valencia or the cycling routes and destinations in the Huerta are more important for your daily itinerary.

Festivals and Regional Cuisine

Picanya's Festes Majors include street parades, music and theatre performances, processions, religious processions and flower offerings. The Corpus Christi celebrations include a carpet of flower petals for the procession and traditional dances. The tradition of Sant Antoni Abad includes a public blessing of animals, particularly horses and donkeys. In Picanya, the Falles are celebrated from 15 to 19 March.

Picanya's local cuisine includes rice dishes such as paella, arròs a banda, a typical seafood dish, and arròs amb fesols i naps with beef and pork.

Discover More Destinations

More destinations for your trip to Valencia: Xeraco, Rótova, Manises, Barxeta, Siete Aguas, L'eliana, Gestalgar and Llanera de Ranes.

For the overarching travel overview: Valencia.