The Autonomous Region, or Community, of Valencia includes the Provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón and is the land conquered and held by the renowned Spanish warrior El Cid who reigned as overlord for several years from 1094. This latter’s observation about the beauty of Valencia is one that has been shared by many who went before him and came after him.
Valencia became a outpost region of the Romans as early as 138 BC who cultivated the plains around the city of Valencia, making them amongst the most productive in their Empire. This was built on by the Moors who ruled here for more than 500 years and who extended the network of irrigation systems that even today is of fundamental importance to Valencian agriculture.
Valencia’s regional importance began to decline after Felipe III expelled the ‘moriscos’ or converted Moors from Spain. This single act hit Valencia particularly hard as, in one fell swoop, it lost over a third of its population of productive age.
Decline continued through a variety of ill choices, bad governance and bad luck, a trend that was finally halted when Valencia became the capital of the autonomous Community of Valencia in 1982. It is now on a crusade of reinvention as new attractions are built and it establishes itself as one of the leading business and tourist destinations of Spain.
 Not without reason, Valencia has a reputation for excellent food with the paella being perhaps the best example. The simple fact is that you haven’t tasted paella until you’ve eaten one in Valencia, probably during the festival of Fallas, one of the hottest fiestas in all of Spain.
Valencia’s mild climate ensures that there is an abundance of good things to eat and do. Almost year-round sunshine ensures warm temperatures that allow for all sorts of activities for the hot summer days on golden beaches and long into the balmy, heavily scented nights.
Valencia comprises three Provinces. Castellón with its mountainous interior sweeps down to the sea where in Spring orange groves perfume the air with the heady scent of Azaar, or orange blossom. Along the coast several well catered for resorts nestle on the shores of the Mediterranean. The Province of Valencia itself has many beauty spots well worth a visit and in August the town of Buñol becomes the focus of irrepressible tomato-throwers for La Tomatina – a massive tomato throwing fiesta designed to cure anyone of romantic or unnaturally loving feelings for the humble tomato.
 Well preserved Roman remains can be seen in Sagunt to the south of Valencia and a spectacular castle in the town of Xàtiva provides not only food for the imagination but a spectacular backdrop to the pageant of modern life unfolding before it.
In the south of Valencia lies the Province of Alicante whose long golden beaches have become famous as the Costa Blanca, a favourite destination for hordes of invading summer tourists.
The popular tourist resort of Benidorm with its high-rise cut-price hotels and many ‘theme’ bars eclipses a more traditional face to the south where, in La Vila Joiosa, neat plazas and white washed buildings are well preserved and kept from the eyes of the pure sun seekers. The Provincial capital Alicante, boasts another superb castle that overlooks the town like a brooding mother hen.
More information:
www.comunitatvalenciana.com
 Add as favourites (52) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 1427
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved |
|
Last Updated ( miércoles, 19 marzo 2008 )
|
