Culture and history info

The story of Denia (Alicante) revolves around its castle and its harbor. Over 2000 years of history in which different civilizations passed through these lands and historian Roque Chabàs collected in the book Dénia history 1886 the year. Currently it includes the important work of dissemination of our past that makes blog on the history of Dénia Jaume working in Sau Moncho, Vicent Martí and Josep Antoni Peña Ahuir Dominguez, three experts in history that periodically publish reports on different topics related to the history of Denia and the Marina Alta.

The origins of Dénia

Throughout history have been detected in different parts of the municipality of Dénia archaeological remains indicate that here lived Iberians, Phoenicians and Greeks. The remains of villages in Upper Benimaquia or Penya del Aguila and testify. In fact the latter is attributed to the first name of the municipality, since it is believed that here was located Hemeroskopeion.

Dianium, the Roman Dénia

The excellent location of the area, in a privileged location in the Mediterranean near the Phoenician city of Ibiza and entry point to the peninsula, made the Romans conquered, baptizing as Dianium. The new city reached a great height thanks to the importance of its port. Between the first half of S. I d. BC and the mid-second century. C, Dianium experiencing the economic boom with large slaveholders Vilas dedicated to the production of wine and oil into Gaul, Liguria and Rome. This period is the start of production of amphorae and tiles villa Almadrava. Also at this time there was Dianium urban heyday, when it is believed that prestigious buildings as public baths, a theater or a circus were built. But in the late fourth century, and a Christianized Roman Empire and the Empire is divided into two and barbarians occupy Hispania. In the 472 year, the Western Empire disappears and the Visigoths pact with the Spanish-Roman occupation you peninsula. Two centuries later, in the year 624, the Byzantine province of Spania was conquered by the Visigoths who created, among others, the bishopric of Dénia, which goes to the Toledo councils since 636.

The Muslim era: Daniya

The Visigothic monarchy was elective, which was constant struggles between the nobles to seize power. With the arrival of S.VIII, in the midst of a civil war, one side makes a pact with a new power that appears in North Africa: Islam. After years of struggles, pacts and capitulations, begins the Islamization and Arabization of the peninsula. At that time, the port and commercial Dénia has declined to be barely a haven for pirates. Three centuries after annexing the Muslim empire in the s. XI, the court official Mujahid proclaimed emir and named Daniya as the capital of the Taifa, making Daniya in a medina. At this time the citadel of the castle, a mosque, baths and Ravales outside the walls were built. It is a time of splendor in which Daniya buzzes with cultural vitality and mints its own currency. In 1076, Taifa lost its independence to become part of the Taifa of Zaragoza until the 1091 the almorávides reunify Al-Andalus. In Daniya they made several defensive constructions and reorganize the districts.

The Christian conquest: Dénia

In 1238 Jaume I conquered Valencia and years later, in 1244, after the capitulation of the town of Denia, Muslims and the term of Denia was expelled was uninhabited. Throughout the S. XIII mudéjares revolts occur while attempts are unsuccessful repopulate the term Dénia. By that time Dénia belongs to the Crown of Aragon. S. XIV into the Pere III as king of the Crown of Aragon creates with the term of Dénia and other neighboring territories Royal County, who later donated to Alfonso of Aragon. It succeeds the years and in 1431, Juan de Trastámara delivers the Castilian nobleman Diego County Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas. The fifteenth century meant the revival of Dénia. To protect your city government in La Vila, the Consell torr, the de les Puces, the Red Tower and the Guard is built. In 1452, in the midst of a war with Castile, the inhabitants of Dénia be asked to leave stately villa, a request which were echoed in Valencia and led militias of both cities occupied the castle and ousted the government. In 1477, after attempts to restore the honor of the term of Denia, Diego Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas receives castle and the town of Denia. It is at this time when the so-called hermitages of conquest (Santa Paula, St. Lucia and San Juan) are constructed. Diego Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas was named first Marquis of Dénia in 1487 by Ferdinand. The county is in the hands of Sandoval for generations and 1609 Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas, V Marquess of Denia and Duke of Lerma promotes the expulsion of more than 40.000 Moriscos through the port of Denia bound Oran. The 1612, and thanks to his good relationship with the Duke of Lerma King Philip III, the name of City, Dénia being the sixth city of the Kingdom of Valencia with this recognition. The city of Denia openly participated in the War of Succession in the S. XVIII betting on the Archduke Charles, who was proclaimed king in Dénia. But supporters of Felipe V retaliated against the city, destroying buildings and causing the crisis in Dénia. In 1735 he was in Dénia barely 257 families. It is the time of rebirth after the attacks building a new parish church and ending the church of the new convent of San Antonio. In 1775, and the release of American trade, the port and the city regain its commercial importance, agriculture progresses and grows a neighborhood emerging: Baix la Mar. The tragedy of the collapse of the frigate Guadalupe showed the lack of interest of the Marquis and precipitated the Royal Order of Carlos IV to incorporate the port, the town and the city of Dénia to the Crown again in 1804.

The nineteenth century: the splendor of the city thanks to the passing

The S.XIX marks the beginning of the raisin industry in Denia, a trade that allowed the city to reach its peak. Castillo Dénia grows and sold into private hands that make a farm for growing raisins. At this time, thanks to a project by architect Patricio Ferrándiz, joins the city with the port, the Teatro Principal, Calle La Mar and stores Morand is built. It also builds GlorietaAnd factory gas for street lighting and domestic use is inaugurated. Denia is a modern city with newspapers, casinos, cafes, banks, theaters and 1884 North Station (it opens today Toy Museum). With the arrival of S.XX Dénia moves over the raisin industry and the toy factories flourish identify the city during the first half of the century. But the city is no stranger to its tourist attractions and in the years 60, becomes the focus of national and international tourism, an industry that continues today in the city.