Valencia
In 138 BC, Roman soldiers settled on the banks of the Turia River to establish a colony named Valentia Edetanorum. The Latin name meant strength or valour, reflecting the military service of these former legionaries who fought against the Lusitanian rebel Viriatus during the Third Raid of the Lusitanian War. A few centuries later, the power vacuum left by the collapse of imperial administration allowed the Catholic Church to assume control over the city. This shift coincided with the arrival of invading Germanic peoples including Suebi, Vandals, Alans, and eventually Visigoths. By 546 AD, Valencia became part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo and remained so until about 714 AD when it surrendered to invading Moors. Abd al-Rahman I laid waste to old Valencia between 788 and 789, causing significant destruction. During Islamic rule, the city was known as Madînat al-Turâb, meaning City of Earth or Sand, due to its location on the riverbanks. New irrigation systems and crops were introduced, transforming the agricultural landscape. In the emiral period, Berber chieftains controlled the surrounding territory which often led to unruliness. When the fitna of al-Andalus began, Valencia became the head of an independent emirate called the Taifa of Valencia. Eunuchs initially controlled this region before Abd al-Azîz took charge after 1021. The Jewish population grew significantly during this era, with notable figures like Solomon ibn Gabirol spending his final years in the city.
By the late 14th century, Genoese traders had promoted the cultivation of white mulberry trees throughout the area. They also introduced innovative silk manufacturing techniques that transformed local industry. Valencia quickly became a major centre for both mulberry production and silk manufacturing. The Genoese community including merchants, artisans, and workers became one of the most important groups in the Iberian Peninsula alongside Seville. In 1391, a pogrom struck the Jewish quarter when youths marched shouting that the Archdeacon of Castile was coming with his cross. Thousands of Jews were murdered while survivors were forced to convert. The Jewish quarter was subsequently destroyed. By 1407, following the model of Barcelona's institution, a Taula de canvi municipal public bank was created though its first iteration yielded limited success. The 15th century marked economic expansion known as the Valencian Golden Age where culture and arts flourished. Concurrent population growth made Valencia the most populous city in the Crown of Aragon. Landmark buildings constructed during this period included Serranos Towers, the Silk Exchange, Miguelete Tower, and Chapel of the Kings of the Convent of Sant Domènec. Flemish and Italian trends influenced painting and sculpture among Valencian artists. The city became a major slave trade centre second only to Lisbon in the West by the mid-15th century. This prompted a Lisbon-Seville-Valencia axis powered by incipient Portuguese slave trade originating from West Africa. By the end of the 15th century, Valencia stood as one of the largest European cities and the most populated within the Hispanic Monarchy.
The crisis deepened during the 17th century when the Spanish government systematically expelled Moriscos descendants of Muslim converts who constituted roughly one-third of the total population. They were concentrated in the former Crown of Aragon and specifically in the Kingdom of Valencia before being forced to leave for Muslim North Africa. The expulsion caused financial ruin for some nobility and bankruptcy of the Taula de canvi in 1613. Decline reached its nadir with the War of Spanish Succession which lasted from 1702 to 1709. During this conflict, Valencia sided with Charles of Austria against Philip V. On the 24th of January 1706, English cavalry led by Charles Mordaunt captured Sagunt fortress and held the city for 16 months. After the Battle of Almansa on the 25th of April 1707, the Bourbons defeated the English army. Philip V then ordered repeal of the Furs of Valencia as punishment for supporting Charles of Austria. The ancient Charters were abolished under Nueva Planta decrees leaving the city governed by Castilian Charter rules. The Peninsular War began affecting Valencian territories when Napoleon's armies invaded the Iberian Peninsula. On the 23rd of May 1808, Valencian people rose up inspired by leaders like Vicent Doménech el Palleter. Marshal Moncey attacked with 9,000 Grande Armée troops but failed to take the city after two assaults. Marshal Suchet later besieged the city starting October 1811 forcing surrender on the 8th of January 1812. José I moved his court there in mid-1812 making it capital of Spain until the Battle of Vitoria on the 21st of June 1813 forced French withdrawal. During the Spanish Civil War, Valencia temporarily became Republican capital from the 6th of November 1936 until the 31st of October 1937. The city endured heavy bombardment mainly by Fascist Italian air forces and Francoist forces supported by Nazi Germany. By war's end, 442 bombardments had killed 2,831 people and wounded 847 though actual death toll was likely higher.
In October 1957, a flood from the Turia River caused 81 casualties and extensive property damage across the region. This disaster led to complete remodelling of the city and creation of a new riverbed for the Turia while the old channel became one of the city's green lungs. Economy began recovering in early 1960s as explosive population growth occurred through immigration spurred by jobs created via major urban projects. Work to demolish old city walls started on the 20th of February 1865 ending after the 1868 Glorious Revolution. In 1943, Francisco Franco decreed exclusivity for Valencia and Barcelona regarding international fairs holding monopoly for over three decades until abolished in 1979. With advent of democracy in Spain, ancient kingdom established Valencian Community with Statute of Autonomy designating Valencia as capital in 1982. The City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela transformed former riverbed into entertainment cultural architectural hub containing opera house science museum IMAX cinema oceanographic park. L'Oceanogràric houses largest aquarium in Europe with 45,000 animals representing 500 species including belugas walruses penguins sharks mackerel swarms dolphins sea lions coral jellyfish sea anemones. The Turia Gardens now contain children's playground fountain sports fields zoo Bioparc located within former riverbed. On the 3rd of July 2006, a metro derailment left 43 dead and 47 wounded marking major mass transit disaster. Days later Pope Benedict XVI used Sant Calze artifact during Mass at Cathedral claiming it might be Holy Grail.
Valencia serves as third-largest city in Spain with population reaching 824,340 within administrative limits on land area spanning approximately square kilometers. Urban area extends beyond these boundaries housing between 1,564,145 and 1,595,000 people according to various sources. Metropolitan region contains 2,5 million inhabitants making it one of EU's most populous municipalities ranked 21st overall. Nearly 84% working population employed in service sector occupations while 8.5% work manufacturing sector mainly automobile assembly Ford Valencia Body Assembly located Almussafes municipality. Only 1.9% workforce engaged agriculture though orchards citrus groves remain significant farmland presence. Since onset Great Recession unemployment rate grew government debt increased severe spending cuts introduced by city government. In 2009 designated 29th fastest-improving European city influencing commerce education entertainment media fashion science arts contributing Gamma rank global status. Forbes named among world's most livable cities. Port biggest Mediterranean western coast handling 20% Spain exports including foodstuffs beverages oranges furniture ceramic tiles fans textiles iron products. Manufacturing focuses metallurgy chemicals textiles shipbuilding brewing small medium industries important local economy component. GDP amounted $52.7 billion per capita $28,141. In 2021 European Investment Bank provided €27 million loan Sociedad Anónima Municipal Actuaciones Urbanas de Valencia supporting affordable public rental housing projects building 323 new units renovating four existing expanding stock over 50%. Voted world top destination expatriates 2022 based quality life affordability criteria.
Every year five days nights from 15 to the 19th of March called Falles constitute continual festival beginning celebrations the 1st of March with popular pyrotechnic events mascletàs starting daily at 2:00 pm. Tradition started being celebrated 18th century night feast day Saint Joseph patron saint carpenters burning waste planks wood workshops worn-out wooden objects brought neighborhood groups. Eventually parots dressed clothing looking like people becoming first ninots features identifiable well-known person neighborhood often added. City inaugurated awarding prizes best Falles monuments 1901 neighborhood groups still rival making most impressive creations intricate assemblages pedestals better visibility depicting famous personalities topical subjects past year presenting humorous satirical commentary. Night the 19th of March Valencians burn all Falles event called La Cremà declared Celebration International Tourist Interest the 25th of January 1965 intangible cultural heritage UNESCO the 30th of November 2016. Water Tribunal of Valencia Tribunal les Aigües de València declared intangible cultural heritage 2009 hearing mediating matters relating irrigation water sits noon every Thursday outside Porta dels Apostols. Holy Week Setmana declared Festival National Tourist Interest 2012 considered some most colourful Spain. Paella simmered rice dish meat usually chicken rabbit seafood born Valencia traditional dishes include fideuà arròs a banda arròs negre black rice fartons bunyols Spanish omelette pinchos tapas calamares squid. Cold xufa beverage known orxata popular many parts world including Americas. University Valencia founded 1499 one oldest surviving universities Spain oldest Valencian Community listed four leading Spanish universities 2011 Shanghai Academic Ranking World Universities Boston Berklee College Music opened satellite campus Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia first only international campus outside US since 2003 hosted music courses Musikeon leading musical institution Spanish-speaking world.
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Common questions
When was Valencia founded by Roman soldiers?
Roman soldiers settled on the banks of the Turia River to establish a colony named Valentia Edetanorum in 138 BC. The Latin name meant strength or valour, reflecting the military service of these former legionaries who fought against the Lusitanian rebel Viriatus during the Third Raid of the Lusitanian War.
What happened to Valencia during the War of Spanish Succession between 1702 and 1709?
Valencia sided with Charles of Austria against Philip V during the conflict that lasted from 1702 to 1709. On the 24th of January 1706 English cavalry led by Charles Mordaunt captured Sagunt fortress and held the city for 16 months before the Bourbons defeated the English army after the Battle of Almansa on the 25th of April 1707.
How did the Turia River flood impact Valencia in October 1957?
A flood from the Turia River caused 81 casualties and extensive property damage across the region in October 1957. This disaster led to complete remodelling of the city and creation of a new riverbed for the Turia while the old channel became one of the city's green lungs containing children's playgrounds sports fields and Bioparc zoo.
When does the Falles festival take place in Valencia each year?
Five days nights from 15 to the 19th of March called Falles constitute continual festival beginning celebrations the 1st of March with popular pyrotechnic events mascletàs starting daily at 2:00 pm. The night the 19th of March Valencians burn all Falles event called La Cremà declared Celebration International Tourist Interest the 25th of January 1965 intangible cultural heritage UNESCO the 30th of November 2016.
What is the population size of Valencia within administrative limits today?
Valencia serves as third-largest city in Spain with population reaching 824,340 within administrative limits on land area spanning approximately square kilometers. Urban area extends beyond these boundaries housing between 1,564,145 and 1,595,000 people according to various sources while metropolitan region contains 2,5 million inhabitants making it one of EU's most populous municipalities ranked 21st overall.