Sails & Winds: A Cultural History of Valencia

Valencia is a Mediterranean land known for its prosperous horta, silk, paper, and orange industries, as well as its Moorish legacy. Sails & Winds discusses Sagunt's Roman theatre and castle, Gandia, Elx, and Alcoi, as well as Valencia's art, literature, and architecture. Despite the holiday boom, there are still deserted beaches, sinister and beautiful marshland, orange groves, and a depopulated mountainous interior.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 388 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2019
Publisher: Signal Books Ltd

Valencia, a city located along Spain's stunning coastline, boasts a privileged climate that makes it a renowned destination for beach tourism. Among its many attractions, Benidorm stands out as southern Europe's skyscraper capital, offering visitors a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Beyond its beaches, Valencia is known for its vibrant culture, characterized by its love for fire, fireworks, and long meals, often featuring the famous paella. This Mediterranean land is where people truly know how to enjoy life to the fullest.

Valencia's rich history dates back to the Moorish era, when the Moors designed an intricate system of irrigation that continues to nourish the city's prosperous horta (market garden). They also brought with them the silk, paper, and orange industries, which have played a significant role in Valencia's economic development. The area is dotted with monuments, many of which date back to the city's golden fifteenth century, when it became the wealthiest city on the Western Mediterranean.

Sails & Winds delves into the history and culture of Valencia, exploring various aspects of the city. It discusses Sagunt's Roman theatre and castle, Gandia, home to the ill-reputed Borja (or Borgia) family of popes, Elx, embraced by 200,000 palms, and Alcoi, an anarchist stronghold. The book also features discussions on Valencia's art, literature, and architecture, highlighting notable painters such as Ribera and Sorolla, as well as the great medieval poet Ausias March.

Valencia's architectural landscape is equally impressive, with Santiago Calatrava's iconic structures adding a modern touch to the city. His soaring flight from steel has given Valencia city its new trophy buildings, such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the L'Oceanographic Museum. Despite the ongoing holiday boom, Valencia remains a contradictory and divided land, its identity pulled between the Spanish state and Catalonia.

Sails & Winds seeks to unravel the complexities of this divided land, exploring its history, culture, and architectural wonders. It provides a comprehensive view of Valencia, offering insights into the city's past and present, and helping readers understand its unique identity and charm. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culture lover, or an architecture buff, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in discovering the wonders of Valencia.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781909930759