Roman Occupation and the Iberos

Valencia is a port city located along the eastern coast of Spain, and this geography has led it to have a fascinating history. The city was first mentioned in the historical record by an individual known as Livy, who was a Roman historian during first century BCE. In this account, he declared that a leader and his soldiers settled there, thus establishing a colony around the year 138 BCE. In its early stages as a Roman colony, Valencia was an important commercial center due to its position along on the Mediterranean Sea which allowed for the city to trade directly with Rome. Further, the Iberos (the native inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula) were encouraged to move to the city as a way for them to better assimilate into Roman society, as they did not initially welcome the newcomers with open arms. In fact, at the beginning of the Roman conquest of the region and well into it, the Iberos frequently resisted their advances which often led to violent uprisings. Some of the ways the Romans tried to encourage the Iberos to settle in Valencia was through the construction of bath houses, laundry houses, roads, and even a circus that hosted chariot racing.

Vicente de Huesca

Vicente de Huesca was a Christian deacon in Valencia during the late third century BCE. In 303 CE, the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, began persecuting people in occupied territory if they did not make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Huesca refused to do so which led to his death in 304 CE, so he became a martyr and ultimately the patron saint of Valencia. Vicente de Huesca is an important figure because his death provides evidence that Christianity had taken hold in Spain by that time.

The Visigoths, Moors, and El Cid

Following the years of Roman occupation, Valencia came under control of the Visigoths, who were a groups of peoples with Germanic origin. This period began in 413 CE and was characterized by one continuous conflict which was based on whether or not the king should be hereditary or elected by the people.

Around 714 CE, Valencia was taken by the Moors, who were a group of Muslim Berbers and Arabs. Muslim control of the Iberian Peninsula, however, began in 711 with an invasion by both Arabs and Berbers, and it ended in 1492 with the fall of the final Moorish kingdom, Granada. Valencia is a notable location in the romanticized and heroic tale of Rodrigo Díaz, or El Cid. Díaz was born into an aristocratic family during the eleventh century CE and quickly rose to prominence in the court primarily due to his military training at an early age which ultimately led him to secure the position of armiger to Prince Sancho. The city of Valencia had been taken over by the Almoravids, who were fundamentalist Muslim Berbers, but El Cid and his knights were able to oust their opposition and claim Valencia for themselves until his death.

If you study abroad during the beginning of April, you have to go to the Saint Vicente Ferrer Festival! Saint Vincent Ferrer was a Valencian native and an Aragonese friar who was involved with ending the Great Western Schism. He is patron saint of builders, construction workers, plumbers, fishermen, and orphanages who is known for religious poverty and austerity, as well as fasting. He was believed to be a miracle maker. In 1412, Saint Vincent Ferrer was able to elect Ferdinand I King of Aragon and persuade him to stop supporting the antipope, Benedict (XIII). Eventually, in November 1417, the Great Western Schism finally ended after the election of Pope Martin V.

In terms of the festival, it takes place on April 5th on his death day. The Catholic Church observes the holiday although it’s not recognized as an official holiday. Most stores will be closed in Valencia for the festival. You can expect parades in the streets in the center of the city, with people dressed in Valencian clothing, and groups of musicians will be playing throughout the event. The biggest parade takes place along the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, starting at 1:00 PM.

The main event is a procession that carries a statue of St. Vincent Ferrer to the city cathedral. During which, you can watch recreations of Ferrer’s miracles, performed by children. There are also multiple altars that have been built across the city. There will also be a special mass in the Basílica Catedral de San Pedro in the morning.

Festival of San Vicente Mártir

If you can’t make it to that festival, don’t worry, there’s another festival on January 22th.

Saint Vincent Martyr is a protector of Valencia, and he is known as the martyr of the west which makes Valencia the final destination of the most important pilgrimage route in Europe called the “Camino de Levante”.

For how the parade will go, at 9:00 AM, the chimes herald the Pontifical High Mass which is held at 10:30 AM in the Cathedral. 11:30 AM, the General Procession begins which starts from the Cathedral. The rapid ringing of bells announces that the procession and the Statue of the Saint are leaving through the “Los Hierros” door.

The route commemorates the places associated with the martyrdom of the Saint. It goes across Plaza de la Reina to the start of Calle San Vicente, heading towards Calle del Mar. It then goes down Calle Avellanas then passes two chapels that were dedicated to him. There, a small liturgy takes place which is led by the Archbishop of Valencia. Finally, the procession returns to the Cathedral through the “Palau” door.

The celebrations continue at 8:00 PM with a Mozarabic mass at the Cristo Rey Church. It’s also one of the few masses (other is in Toledo) that is held in Spain.

Even if you can’t make those two festivals, there’s other holidays for different saints as well as the “Las Fallas” festival. Students should expect to have a great time witnessing how different cultures celebrate notable members of their community, as well as learning how these saints came to be by the portrayals of the festivals. Hopefully we’ll see you there!

¡Adiós!

The rich history and culture of Valencia can only be complemented with the robust flavors of its cuisine. With the Spanish community living right off the Mediterranean Sea, it offers vibrant and fresh dishes that excite the taste buds!

With Valencia being so close to the Mediterranean, dishes that involve life from the sea are a given. Seafood is utilized everywhere around Spain, but esgarraet is a Valencian delicacy. Historically, esgarraet was fed to sailors and fishermen out at sea. An unconventional salad that consists of roasted red bell peppers, finely chopped garlic, Spanish olive oil, and cured cod known as bacalao. There are renditions that involve black olives in the dish, as well. The name esgarrat comes from its preparation, as desgarrar means to tear, with the peppers and cod usually torn apart by hand or cut into strips.  Usually served at room temperature with toasty bread, it is traditionally an appetizer, or tapa. 

Although it’s considered to be Spain’s national dish, Paella Valenciana originates from the coastal community. The dish takes its name from the word paella, the custom shallow, flat pan used for preparing the homonymous dish. However, the exact story of creation of Paella Valenciana is not clear.  While there are many theories, the most referenced is that in the mid-19th century, field workers would make this rice-based dish on an open fire and would add anything they could find – such as snails! And while the history is muddy, the taste and aroma are divine. Medium-grain rice simmers in a flavorful chicken or fish broth laced with saffron and rosemary, and aromatics including onion and garlic. As the rice cooks, pieces of root vegetables and a blend of various proteins are nestled on top. Chicken, rabbit, and pork are the common combination; however, seafood should never be added. Once you come to Valencia, try this dish out! Just be sure to come before dinner time since it’s only served during lunch.

Believed to originate in the city of Gandia, fideuá was made by Gabriel Rodriguez, a cook on one of the many fishing boats harbored there. Similar to Paella Valenciana, fideuá is a colorful dish that is prepared the same way as its more popular counterpart, but, instead of rice, thin and short noodles called fideo are the main ingredient. Another major difference is that traditional Fideuá have seafood such as cuttlefish, calamari, shrimp, and muscles to be cooked within the pasta. Before serving, lemon juice and chopped parsley are garnished on top. However, some prefer to pair fideuá with a fragrant aioli sauce. It’s delicious either way, so eat it right up! This is a great substitute for someone who loves seafood but wants something resembling Paella Valenciana.

And if you are fortunate enough to come during a holiday or festival you are in for a treat. Valencians love making pastissets de moniato during those special occasions. These sweet, fried pastries filled with a sweet potato filling infused with cinnamon, lemon, and anise is famous within Valencia. Shaped as little empanadas and rolled in sugar, it is mainly consumed during Christmas, Easter, and All Saints’ Day, a Christian solemnity celebrated on November 1, commemorating all saints who have gone to heaven. This hallmark dessert is a must for its long tradition in the Valencia Community.

But if you cannot wait to have something sweet, that is completely understandable. Valencia offers a sweet dough mostly found in the municipality of Alboraya: fartons. Made out of flour, yeast, sugar, eggs, and oil, this simple treat is then met with a glaze made of powdered sugar and water. It can be eaten for breakfast, as a snack, or dessert and can be devoured with coffee, milk, or hot cocoa. They are usually accompanied, however, with horchata, a refreshing, creamy, and sweet drink made from tiger nuts. 

These five dishes are only a speck of what Valencia has to offer for inhabitants and tourists alike. Full of color and flavor, Valencian cuisine offers a wide variety for people of all ages. Whether it’s a Valencian child who wants a sweet treat or a college student studying abroad. Experiencing these tasty foods highlights the culture of Valencia and its people’s traditions. There is no doubt that you will be left satisfied during your stay!

Valencia’s rich culture and beautiful architecture make it great place to learn and explore history; however, as a port city, its location along the Mediterranean Sea, as well its mild climate, also make it a perfect beach destination. Whether you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, strolling, or just doing nothing, Valencia’s miles of beautiful beaches are a great place to relax and unwind after a long day of classes.

Many of Valencia’s beaches, like La Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal, are conveniently located within a few kilometers of the city’s center. Though often be a bit crowded, these beaches still have plenty of space for whatever you enjoy doing. El Cabanyal, for example, is close to 220 yards wide! Beaches in Valencia, like El Cabanyal, also have great restaurants and other amenities, like restrooms and water fountains, right on the beach, so you can stay out there all day long. Many of the beaches also provide things like volleyball courts, exercise equipment, and lanes for paddle boarding or canoeing in order to promote healthy fun for all. And, For those adventurous types who want to get away from the crowds, beaches like La Devesa are a bit farther out, but they offer a great place to enjoy peace and quiet, away from the noise and traffic of the city.

La Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia’s beautiful coastline has clear blue water, white sandy beaches, and a whole host of ways to enjoy your day at the beach. So, no matter who you are or what you like to do, there is a Valencian beach for you, but do not take my word for it. Come See for yourself!

For those who want to get a little fresh air after a long day in the classroom, Valencia’s Turia Garden is an excellent place to relax and enjoy nature as well as explore Valencia.

In 1957, after a devastating flood, the course of the Turia River was changed to prevent further flooding. The dried remains of the Great Turia River were turned into what is now among the biggest urban parks in all of Spain. Today, the garden winds some nine kilometers through the heart of Valencia, passing by many of the city’s most popular attractions.

You can walk, run, bike, or Segway your way down the garden’s paths lined with friendly people and a variety of beautiful trees and plant life. As an added bonus, your journey through the park will take you by many of Valencia’s must-see museums and landmarks like the City of Arts and Sciences whose signature futuristic styled complex contains a science museum, aquarium, and opera house. The garden also boarders the Museum of Fine Arts, the Bioparc and much more. Segmenting the park are eighteen different bridges each providing scenic views of the landscape and each representing a different period and style of architecture. Close to the center of the Garden you also find a rather unique structure, the Serranos towers. Built around the end of the 14th century, the towers over the years have served as both a fortified gate and a prison. Today, they serve as gateway from the city of Valencia into the Turia Garden, a transition from the chaos of a modern world to the peace of nature.

With so much to see and do, it is no surprise that the Turia Garden is one of Valencia’s most popular places, and it will keep you coming back again and again. The park has great hours as it is open from 7:30 am to 9:00pm during the fall, spring, and summer and from 8 am to 7pm during the winter, accommodating for visitors with all kinds of schedules. So, what are you waiting for? Come visit the Turia Garden!