Vall d'Uixó, la

The current territory of la Vall d'Uixó has been occupied since prehistoric times by different human groups. La cova de Sant Josep and other caves in the surrounding area represent the most ancient vestiges in la Vall, from the chronological point of view. The archaeological works in these caves have revealed that they were occupied by hunters of the Upper Paleolithic period, according to a chronology of the C-14, approximately 16,000 years BC. There, two rocky panels were found with representations of cave paintings, giving an idea of the importance of place.

People continued living in the Valley during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. During the Bronze Age grew villages located high in the mountains, well fortified with walls and watchtowers. Its strategic location allowed them to control a vast territory and step into the Serra d'Espadà. The Iberian era was supposed a considerable expansion of the population, as evidenced by the remains of the Iberian city of La Punta d’Orleyl and Poblat Sant Josep.

La Punta d'Orleyl occupies a large area and has four successive lines of walls and towers. Stresses its acropolis, where the remains were located on at least two large public buildings built with huge stones squared. The Poblat de Sant Josep, located at the top of the hill of the same name, represents a good example of the ancient urbanism. It is small but has a wall, two towers, streets and houses of the Iberian and Roman eras. Their time of glory was during the Iberian stages. Years ago, they were occupied during the 4th century AD, and in the end of the Roman Empire.

During Roman times, the population evolved towards agricultural sector. A few years ago was located the remains of a necropolis of burial, which was dated between the 6th and 7th centuries and attached to the Visigothic period. In total we found the remains of 66 individuals with their funerary offerings.

The Arab conquest and the establishment of these populations did not change too much the kind of life. Throughout this long period has been able to document the existence of a dozen villages that are located on both sides of the Belcaire river. These are Alcúdia, Zeneja, Benigafull, Benizahat, Zeneta and Benigasló.Each was independent and had its own industrial area, as well as its necropolis.

The political and legal organization of la Vall was under the chairmanship of Castell d'Uixó. In 1250, la Vall received La Carta Pobla. Since that moment, la Vall become an important city inside the Kingdom of Valencia. This situation did not lead too significant changes, because the Muslim community of la Vall also maintained the structure of society.

La Vall d'Uixó underwent profound changes during this time. Since the expulsion of the Moors in 1609, theoretically, all citizens in la Vall d'Uixó should be replaced by Christians, but it was not entirely so. The Moors retained their houses and continued working the land and carrying out its industrial activities, but under Christian control.

During the 18th century, the population of la Vall increased significantly. The six villages joined each other and they created El poble de Dalt and El poble de Baix. From the 19th century (1860), both little towns formed a central square where the City Hall is located at the present. Throughout the 20th century was the second major economic and demographic expansion.

La Vall attended to a high immigration because of the heavy industrialization of the ancient craft of footwear, lasting in time until the beginning of the 90s. Since then, and after a period of economic crisis due to the closure of this company, la Vall changed its socio-economic structure, which is centred now on the city commerce.

More information: Ajuntament de la Vall d'Uixó / La Vall d'Uixó City Council

•Trans-Espadán (GR 36)

•Font del Nogueret - Font de Cabres (PR-CV 241, 16 km)

•El Camí IT5TR8 El Camí del Sud: de Dénia a Castelló de la Plana (CC-C)

•Sara Sorribes Tormo, tenista española

•Álex Debón, Piloto español de motociclismo

•Arturo Tizón, piloto de motociclismo español

•Josep Peirats, sindicalista español, militante de la Confederación Nacional del Trabajo

•Salvador Meliá

•Eduardo Castelló, ciclista español

•Juan de la Rubia

•Leopoldo Peñarroja Torrejón, filólogo español

Alcaldía: Tania Baños Martos

Web oficial: http://www.lavallduixo.es/