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The Moorish influence in the towns of Espadán – Mijares

Despite the fact that the natural environment is the main attraction for most visitors to Espadán Mijares, we cannot forget the great architectural heritage that the municipalities of this Commonwealth possess. Strolling through the towns of Espadán-Mijares is a synonym to narrow streets, cobbled paths, dry stone constructions, castles and towers that transport us back to the Moorish era.

Let's rewind a few centuries ago: the origin of several of our towns dates back to the period of greatest splendor of the Muslim community, before the 12th century. Aín, Alcudia de Veo, Argelita, Ayódar, Espadilla, Fanzara, Fuentes de Ayódar, Sueras, Tales, Torralba del Pinar, Torrechiva, Villamalur and Vallat are examples of this Islamic origin.

It is not surprising, then, to find great patrimonial riches dating from this period, such as the Benialí Castle in Aín, cataloged as an Asset of Cultural Interest, or the castles of Alcudia de Veo and Jinquer which, despite their status dilapidated, allow you to enjoy beautiful landscapes. More examples of this Moorish past are the Argelita Square Tower, which was the palace of Abu Zeyd, the last Muslim governor of Valencia, the Round Tower and the Mola Castle. The Castle of Mauz, in Sueras, the Torreón de Ayódar, the Castles of Toga and Villamalur, as well as the ten Moorish towers next to the Torrechiva fortification, are also testimonies of the last Arab days of Espadán-Mijares.

Castillo de Benialí

In addition to these fortifications, there are several municipalities that show their Arab past in the streets. This is the case of Fanzara or Torrechiva, whose typology of Arab towns is clearly observed in their stepped houses. Vallat, Villamalur, Toga or Aín are also towns made up of whitish houses in narrow streets and cobbled floors, typical of this time. Likewise, in Tales we can also enjoy a historical tour from the Portalet to the narrow streets and climbing walls.

Calles de Aín

However, the influence of the Muslim community in Espadán-Mijares is not only noticeable in the architectural heritage, but also in the toponymy of the area: this is the case of Alcudia, which comes from the Arabic “al judya”, which means hill or mount. Another example is Aín, whose most significant element is water, which is even evident in the place name of the municipality, a term of Arabic origin that means “fountain”.

Can you imagine some of the municipalities of Espadán-Mijares as small Islamic farmhouses? Those were the beginnings of what we now know as Tales, Toga, Villamalur or Alcudia de Veo: all of them originally belonged to Abu Zeyd.

Between the 10th and 13th centuries, peace reigned in Espadán-Mijares. Coexistence between Muslims and Christians was possible until the Moorish expulsion in 1609, when the Arabs joined the Sierra de Espadán uprising, with Alcudia and other municipalities being direct witnesses of the revolts.

The Islamic community inhabited this area for centuries. Walking through the towns of Espadán-Mijares is walking through the history of the men and women who, since immemorial times, have inhabited these lands. Lands in which the different settlements and historical remains have shown that humanity chose, chooses and will choose this territory between the Sierra de Espadán and the Mijares River to live and prosper.

Castillo de Sueras

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Influencia morisca
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