History of Valencia

It is known that the Iberian people initially inhabited the region of Valencia. They then conquered the region in 138 B.C. and founded the city of "Valentia". There have been some archaeological remains from that era including a Roman theatre. The region of eastern Spain was intensely Romanized during this period. The Romans were followed by the barbarians and the Visigoths. Many battles were fought and the region was very unstable. The Moors then took advantage of the situation and occupied Valencia in 709 A.D. Valencia has been the home of many cultures over its history with Romans, Visigoths, Moors and the Aragonese all making the city an important cultural and financial center. However, the muslims had the greatest influence. Under the Moors Valencia prospered with trade in olives, rice, paper, silk, leather, ceramics, glass gold and silver-work. The old walls, Portal de Valldigna street, the Baños del Almirante bath house, the Cathedral and the tower, el Miguelete are all architectural remains from this period.

In the year 1094, the legendary Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, conquered Valencia during the Christian re-conquest of Spain. Valencia later fell to the the hands of Almoravids in 1102. In 1238, James I of Aragon reconquered the city, and founded the Kingdom of Valencia. He made it into an autonomous kingdom within the group of States under his rule. During the 15th and 16th centuries Valencia experienced the golden age, with prosperity agriculture, industrial production, trade, art architecture and education. This was followed by a period of economic and political turmoil during the 18th century. The total economic collapse came when the Moors and Jews were expelled. Conflicts with the peasants and nobility, strikes by the local trade unions and the war od spanish succession resulted in loss of political autonomy and severe repression.

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