Alcalà de Xivert


Alcalà de Xivert is a town and municipality in the Baix Maestrat comarca, province of Castelló, Valencian Community, Spain.

Geography

The main town is located inland in a flat valley between the two mountain ranges of Serra d'Irta and Serra de les Talaies. There is no river in the valley; instead, the water emerges in natural ponds known as basses.

History

Its castle occupied a strong position for the control of the routes along the Mediterranean coast. Here stood a Moorish castle that was captured by James I of Aragon in 1234, who also resettled the place with Christian villagers.
On 30 August 1905, scientists came from all over the world to Alcalà de Xivert to watch a Solar eclipse of [August 30, 1905|total solar eclipse] which covered an area from the coast of North Africa to the North-East of Spain.
In contemporary times the economy of the town is devoted mainly to tourism, with several beaches and a busy marina at the villages located on the coast, Alcossebre, Capicorb and Les Fonts.

Villages

The landmark of the town is the Esglèsia de Sant Joan Baptista, built in 1736–1766, with a large dome, a noteworthy Baroque portal, and a 68-metre-high tower, which is visible from many miles away.
The castle of Xivert, was built by the Moors in the 12th century and later conquered by the Knights Templar.