Sightseeing in Gandia
El Morabito
Six metres in height, this structure is particularly interesting as no one really
knows what it was formerly used for although the most popular belief is that is
was a type of hermitage or temporary place of penitence and prayer. Towards Marxuquera.
Santa Maria Collegiate Church
Designed in the gothic style, the main features include the Santa Maria Door, also
in the gothic style and the Door of the Apostles on which the two relief shields
depicting the Borja and Enriquez Maecenas are just visible. Its architectural design
is very unlike the gothic style of the rest of this Mediterranean region given that
it is horizontal, solid and not very high. Address: Plaza Constitución, 1
Tel. 962871951
Bayren Castle
The area has been populated since ancient times according to archaeological findings.
Discoveries at the site include remains from the Bronze, Iberian, Roman and Medieval
ages as well as from Islamic and Christian times. In the construction of the castle
visitors can appreciate the remains of the different cultures that occupied the
former Bair�n. In the 16th century the castle was named the castle of San Juan thus
displacing the former Arabic name of Bairén. The castle was reduced to ruins
in the 17th century. Address: Junction of the N-332a and N-332
Ducal Palace
A rounded arch and a family coat of arms adorn the entrance to the house where Francisco
de Borja was born. In its interior, different rooms can be visited containing elements
from the architectural styles of six centuries of history: Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance
and Neo classical. Address: Alfons El Vell, 1 Tel. 962871465 Fax. 962871465
Escuelas P�as (Former University)
On the main facade is a stone tablet upon which the bust of the founder, San Francisco
de Borja, appears. The original building was made up of the rooms of a religious
centre. Later, it was home to the university, up to the decreed expulsion of the
Jesuits from Spanish territory. Since then, the building has had several uses. Address:
Plaza Escuelas Pías Tel. 962873846
Alquería del Duc and Surrounding Lagoons
This is a 16th century former mansion. It was bought by the town council and converted
into a tourism development centre and a hotel trade and catering school. Nearby,
there are lagoons and ullals (springs that appear at ground level), which are of
great ecological value due to the surrounding special vegetation and fauna. Address:
Camí de L'Alquería del Duc s/n Tel. 962845858
Monuments
We start in the Old Quarter, within the 14th century city walls to enter the old
Jewish and Rabal quarters. Unfortunately only the Torre�n del Pino Tower, the Escuelas
Pías Towers and the Pérez de Culla Towers have survived. The rest
have disappeared due either to the passing of time or the earthquake that shook
the town at the end of the 16th century.
The 15th century Santa Maria Church must be mentioned. Built in the Gothic style,
it was a former sanctuary for priceless works of art and is one of the most important
monuments in Gandia, second only to the Ducal Palace, the house where San Francisco
de Borja was born and which houses an impressive inner ward.