Alcalà de Xivert
Municipality in Valencian Community, Spain From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alcalà de Xivert (Valencian: [alkaˈla ðe tʃiˈvɛɾt]; Spanish: Alcalá de Chivert [alkaˈla ðe tʃiˈβeɾ]) is a town and municipality in the Baix Maestrat comarca, province of Castelló, Valencian Community, Spain.
Alcalà de Xivert | |
|---|---|
 Church of Saint John the Baptist surrounded by Alcalà de Xivert | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Alcalà de Xivert Location in Spain | |
| Coordinates: 40°18′15″N 0°13′32″E | |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Valencian Community |
| Province | Castelló |
| Comarca | Plana Alta |
| Judicial district | Castelló de la Plana |
| Area | |
| • Total | 167.5 km2 (64.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 155 m (509 ft) |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
| • Total | 6,679 |
| • Density | 40/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Xivertí, xivertina |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 12570 |
| Official language(s) | Valencian |
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.[2]
Its castle occupied a strong position for the control of the routes along the Mediterranean coast. Here stood a Moorish castle (the name of the town derives from Arabic al-qalat = "the 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 total solar eclipse which covered an area from the coast of North Africa to the North-East of Spain.[3]
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.
- Alcalà de Xivert, 3,971 [4]
- Alcossebre, 2,151
- Capicorb, 260
- Les Fonts, 1,502
The landmark of the town is the Esglèsia de Sant Joan Baptista (Church of Saint John the Baptist), 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.
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