Xàtiva

Xàtiva (Spanish: Játiva) is a city of 29,000 people (2018) in Valencia (province). The town is notable for its large, dramatically-situated fortress as well as its atmospheric, well-preserved city centre.

Understand
Xàtiva has been inhabited continuously since Iberian times, and is one of the few Spanish cities which has preserved its pre-Roman name (Iberian: Saiti‎). During the Roman period the city was known for textiles; later the Moors introduced paper in Europe by establishing a paper manufacturing centre here. Xàtiva was also the hometown of the notorious Borgia (Borja) family and the birthplace of one of its more infamous members, Pope Alexander VI.



Get around
As the historic core of the city is quite small, the easiest way to get around is by foot. For visitors who prefer not to walk, there is a  in front of the train station.

Eat
Xàtiva is most known for its rice dishes, especially arrós al forn (Spanish: 'arroz al horno'), a rice dish baked in a clay pot with blood sausage and vegetables. Another local specialty is arnadí, a pumpkin pie with almonds, pine nuts and cinnamon.



Drink
Two popular artisanal beers are produced in Xàtiva. La Socarrada is seasoned with fresh rosemary and rosemary honey, and Er Boquerón is made with Mediterranean seawater. Both beers are available in local restaurants and shops.