Xàtiva, Medieval municipality in La Costera, Spain.
Xàtiva is a municipality in the comarca of La Costera in the province of Valencia, sitting on a hillside below a medieval fortress. Orchards of oranges and almonds spread around the lower slopes, while sections of old walls encircle the historic core.
Romans and Moors left their mark before the town fell under Christian rule in the 13th century and became a capital of its own kingdom. After defeat in battle in 1707, the king ordered buildings burned and renamed the town Colonia Nueva de San Felipe, a name later rejected by its people.
The name comes from the Arabic Šāṭiba and points to the Moorish past still visible in the layout of streets and squares. Narrow lanes wind uphill from the old center, where locals gather in shaded plazas near fountains and arched walkways.
A visit in the morning or late afternoon works well to walk the uphill streets when temperatures are cooler. Wear sturdy shoes for the climb, as cobblestones and slopes can be steep.
Two Renaissance popes were born here, making the town a center of religious power in its time. The local museum displays a portrait of a monarch hung upside down, a quiet sign of resistance to the burning of the town.
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