Gandia
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Gandia, with population over 77,000, is a city and municipality in the
Valencian Community, Eastern Spain on the Mediterranean. Gandia is
located on the Costa del Azahar, 65 km south of Valencia and 96 km north
of Alicante.
By road: Gandia can easily be accessed via the N332 coastal road and the
A-7 motorway. To get to Gandía you can use the Mediterranean motorway
A-7, following exit number 60. The N-332 national road is the main road to
the Valencian coast which connects Gandía with Alicante and Valencia, just
as the N-430 connects with the centre of the peninsula. And with the CV60 newly opened to Ontinyent and Alcoy
inland and the A7 and N332 running north and south, Gandia is perfectly
situated.
By Air: Gandia is close to Valencia airport which is approximately 45
minutes drive away. Also consider Alicante airport approximately 100 km
to the south although it is about an hour and a half drive.
By Rail: Gandia's railway station is located at Parc de l'Estacio which
happens to be handily placed next to Gandia's tourist information
office. There are frequent trains from Gandia to Valencia which is only
about 65 km to the north. During the summer months, FGV runs two trains
per day between Gandía and Madrid, but for the rest of the year there is
only one. There are trains every half an hour to Valencia all day, and from
Valencia you can connect with services to all other Spanish and European
cities.
While it is generally thought that Gandia did not exist as a town much
before 1240 when Jaime I took control of the region from the Moors,
there is evidence of human activity going back to the Palaeolithic Era
(artefacts and remains found in the caves of Meravalles and Parpalló).
The area was also settled by Iberians (an early race of Spanish peoples)
and later by the Romans, before the Arabs (Moors) invaded in the Eighth
Century. The urban development of Gandia appears to have started in the
14th Century, as commerce and agriculture flourished in this growing
town. The 1st Duke of Gandia (Marti L’Huma) was so declared in 1359 and
he made great advancements for the town including some important
architectural works which began at about this time including the Palau
Ducal (Duke’s Palace), the Convent of San Jeronimo de Cotalba and the
collegiate Church of Santa Maria (a fine example of Valencian Gothic
architecture).The late 15th Century saw the arrival in Gandia of the
Borja (Borjia) family, a name inextricably linked to the town from this
time onwards, with the arrival of the Borjas, Gandia’s growth increased
in pace, and did so right up until the 18th Century. Rodrigo Borja who
came to Gandia in 1485 later became the notorious Pope Alexandro VI.
The port of Gandia was inaugurated in 1886 and 7 years later in 1893 the
railway line to Alcoy was opened bringing more trade and commerce to the
town. The port was once the major export point for Valencian oranges and
while it is not considered to be quite so important these days, the port
of Gandia still has a busy fishing fleet.
Today, Gandia is one of the largest coastal towns and a thriving centre
of commerce and tourism in the region. There are two main zones, Gandia
City, which has all the historical monuments, commercial activity, and
shopping, and Gandia beach, where all the apartments and summer
residences used during the summer season are to be found. The beach and
town are actually some 2 km apart which succeeds in separating summer
tourism from day-to-day living.
The beach area of Gandia, which is separate from the main town, is
extremely popular with Spanish tourists and the restaurants, bars and
shops there are mostly Spanish, unlike many other Costa Blanca resorts,
which have a more international flavour. The beaches are golden and
sandy and are without doubt some of the best beaches along this
coastline. Playa Nord stretches for some 3.5 kilometres and is lined
with shops, bars and restaurants. There are lots of other beaches, which
in all extend for about 20 kilometres.
The bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the beach area. As is normal
for Spain, nightlife does not take off until well after midnight.
There are a number of interesting places that are worth visiting. The
previously mentioned Palau Ducal (Duke’s Palace) is an impressive Gothic
palace, it was acquired by the famous Borja family in the Fifteenth
Century and was extended and improved over subsequent centuries, the
palace is mostly renowned for its shimmering ceramic tile mosaics. The
Palau Ducal situated in Calle Duc Alfons el Vell 1. Also certainly worth
a visit are the Church of Santa Maria and the Museo Archeológico
(Archaeological Museum).
Shopping: There are many shopping centres and boulevards in Gandia.
- Calle Mayor is the traditional shopping area of the city. It is part
of the historical centre of Gandia. This street is close to the townhall.
- Plaza Mayor is a shopping centre between the city and the beach. The
big white round roof on the top makes the building look very
interesting. It is located opposite Carrefour.
Activities: Shopping, restaurants.
- La Vital is one of the newest shopping centres of the city. It is
named from the orange juice industry that was situated there previously.
The last remains of the factory is the big chimney at the entrance of
the new building.
Activities: Shopping, restaurants, cinemas, bowling, etc. It is located
opposite Carrefour.
- Centro Comercial Oasis Palace is a building at the beach with
restaurants, cinemas, gymnasium, spa, hotel and a casino. At the casino
visitors can play on slot machines, roulette, poker, blackjack and other
card games.
TRADITIONAL FIESTAS
The main fiestas are:
FALLAS ( from March 16th to 19th) - The most important festival of the
Valencian country takes place in March (16 - 19) and is called Fallas.
In Gandia this tradition is more than 115 years old. Big statues and
structures made of wood, paper, etc. are constructed. On March 19 (San
José) they are burnt. Las Fallas attract a lot of tourists from Spain
and many other countries.
THE HOLY WEEK or SEMANA SANTA: (March and April, it's the week before
Easter) - Between March and April Semana Santa, the Holy Week, takes
place. During this week there are many processions of the different
brotherhoods in the city. Some walk barefooted, pulling iron chains or
lifting big and heavy wooden crosses during the processions. At the end
of this week, Easter begins and thousands of families and young people
go on excursions to the mountains and eat a traditional Easter cake.
SAN JUAN NIGHT - June the 23 is the magic night of San Juan. Festivities
takes place and everybody can bring firewood to the beach and burn his
own fire with the family and friends. The night of San Juan is the
shortest night of the year. Old rituals as jumping over the fire and
waves of the sea can be made in order of getting good luck.
GREAT GANDIA WEEK to celebrate St. Francesco from Borgia (from September
29th to October 3rd) - Feria y fiestas is the name of the big festival
of Gandia city. (end of September - beginning of October). The festival
takes place in honour of San Francisco de Borja, one of the most famous
persons of the city. The festival starts when a man called "Tio de la
porra" (the guy with the bat) goes to the schools and takes the children
out to start the festivities. There are many activities to suit all
ages. (Theatre, processions, music, fireworks, religious activities,
sports, etc.)
L'URBÀ, Tel.:96 287 18 06
Destination: LINE 3:RENFE-Polideportivo-Jardinet-Centro Social de
Corea-Centro Salud de Corea-I.E.S.Tirant Lo Blanch-Perú/Blasco
Ibañez-Joaquín Ballester-República Argentina/Cardenal Cisneros-Plaza
Elíptica-República Argentina/CEAM-I.E.S Ausias
March-Germanies/Hospital-Teatro Serrano -Pasarela
Germanies-Ayuntamiento-Avda.del Grao,1-RENFE.
LINE 4: RENFE-Torreón del Pino-Centro Salud de Beniopa-Puente de
Beniopa-Parc Alqueria Nova-Laval Hospital-Roís de Corella/Juzgados-Parc
País Valencià-Las Esclavas-Museo
Fallero-Benipeixcar/Raval-I.E.S.MªEnríquez-Centre Social del
Raval-Pasarela Germanies-Ayuntamiento-Avda
Grau,1-Polideportivo-Jardinet-RENFE
By Ship:
BALEARIA,
Tel.: 902 160 180
Web: www.balearia.com
Ferrys Iscomar ,
Tel.: 902 119 128
Web: www.iscomar.com
There are many areas and villages located around Gandia.
Marxuquera is one of the rural areas of Gandia. This valley is part of
the district of Gandía and it is located just a few kilometres from the
city centre. Marxuquera is surrounded by mountains. There are a number
of caves, trails and small canyons.
There are beach villages such as Diamus, Guardamar and Bellreguard
within a short distance from Gandia.
The highest mountain of the whole region is called Monduver. Its most
important cave is the "Cueva del Parpalló" where prehistoric artefacts
were found. Today, the remains of the artefacts of the first inhabitants
of this area can be seen at the archaeological museum of Gandia (MAGa).
The museum is situated in the street "Calle del Hospital" close to the
town hall.
Regional Hospital Francesc de Borja Pg. Germanies, 71 Telf.: 96 295 92
05.
Health Center of Gandía C/ San Pedro,32 Telf.: 96 286 66 66.
