History of Valencia: From Roman Origins to Modern Times

Roman Foundation (138 BC - 5th Century AD)

Valencia's remarkable history begins with the Romans, who founded the city in 138 BC under the consul Decimus Junius Brutus. Originally called Valentia Edetanorum, the settlement was strategically located where the Turia River intersected with the important Via Augusta, a major Roman road stretching from Italy to Andalusia.

The Roman city was situated 2.70 meters lower than today's street level, with its forum located on what is now the Plaza de la Virgen. Archaeological evidence reveals that the original Roman core featured the typical layout of Cardo (running north-south) and Decumano (east-west), corresponding to today's Navellcs-Miguelete and Almudin-Caballeros streets.

The city faced destruction during the epic struggle between Sertorius and Pompey the Great around 75 BC, but was refounded during the imperial period in 25 BC, becoming larger and more prosperous than before. During the third century, Valencia gained importance following the destruction of Sagunto, which had previously been the region's capital.

The Visigothic Period (5th - 8th Century)

Around 500 AD, the Visigoths drove out the Romans, incorporating Valencia into their kingdom. Under King Leovigild in 568 AD, Valencia was firmly established as part of the Visigothic domains. Evidence from councils held between 633 and 693 shows that seven bishops governed the eastern diocese during this period, indicating the city's continuing religious and administrative importance.

Archaeological remains of the Visigothic period, including a baptistery and the apse of a cathedral, can still be seen today at the L'Almoina Archaeological Centre, providing tangible connections to this era of Valencia's Christian development.

Islamic Valencia: Balansiya (711-1238 AD)

The arrival of the Moors in 711 AD under Tariq ibn Ziyad marked the beginning of five centuries of Islamic rule. The Moors reached Valencia specifically in 718 AD, establishing a new Islamic culture that would leave an indelible mark on the city's character - traces of which can still be seen today.

Under Islamic rule, Valencia was known as "Balansiya". The city's economy, based on agriculture, began to flourish in the 11th century under the reign of Abd al-Aziz, who was instrumental in constructing the Arab surrounding walls. The Islamic city was remarkably larger than its Roman predecessor, covering 47 hectares with approximately 15,000 inhabitants - three times the size of the Roman settlement.

The Moorish city displayed typical Islamic urban planning with narrow, winding streets and numerous "atzucacs" (blind alleys). The civic center remained in the old Roman area, with the Alcázar fortress positioned where the Archbishop's palace now stands, and the main mosque located on the site of the current cathedral. Today, the Baños del Almirante (baths of Abd Al-Malik) remain as the only complete Moorish building whose layout we fully understand.

The Brief Christian Interlude: El Cid (1094-1102)

The legendary Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as El Cid, temporarily conquered Valencia from the Moors in 1094, ruling until his death in 1099. After his widow was forced to relinquish the kingdom to the Almoravids in 1102, the Christians burned the city before evacuating, and Islamic rule was restored for another 136 years.

The Christian Reconquest (1238)

The definitive conquest of Valencia by James I of Aragon began on April 22, 1238, when the king arrived at Grau de Valencia to begin the siege. After five months of resistance, with decisive intervention from Violant of Hungary (James I's wife), the capitulation was signed on September 22, 1238.

On October 9, 1238, James I officially entered Valencia, a date that remains celebrated today as the Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana, the official holiday of the Valencian Community. The terms of surrender allowed Muslims who wished to leave to do so south of the Júcar River, while those who remained could stay safely under Christian rule.

Medieval Valencia and the Development of the Plaza

Following the conquest, Valencia was divided among the participants according to the "Libre del Repartiment" (Book of Distribution). The 1,615 houses were distributed to new inhabitants, primarily Catalans from Barcelona. The remaining Moors were relocated to the "Moreria" quarter on the western outskirts of the city.

The area that would become Plaza Ayuntamiento has been at the heart of Valencia since the demolition of the convent of St. Francis de Valencia. First granted by James I of Aragon to the St. Francis monks to build a monastery in the 13th century, the buildings were finally demolished in 1891, creating the open area we know today.

Gothic architecture was introduced during this period, mostly in the austere Cistercian style, while the Jewish population established themselves in the eastern part of the city in an enclosed quarter known as "el Call". New city walls were constructed starting in 1356, with the monumental Serranos gateway erected between 1392 and 1393.

During the Franco regime the square was called Plaza del Caudillo or "Square of the Leader", a reference to General Franco himself.  After the transitions it was given the more descriptive name Plaza del País Valenciano, to reflect it's place in the heart of the city.  Still many people use this name for it though since 1987 it is formally Plaza Del Ayuntamiento according to the city maps.

Currently there are proposals to rename it yet again, this time in honor of James I, coming full circle.

As a side shoot to the naming there is a local in 2011 protest movement in the square in support of the May 15th movement, and renaming the square after this is also common among young people, but this is not official.

Full list of names of the Plaza

• 1423 - 1840 Plaza de San Francisco
• 1840 - 1843 Plaza del General Espartero
• 1843 - 1868 Plaza de Isabel II
• 1868 - 1874 Plaza de la Libertad
• 1874 - 1899 Plaza de San Francisco
• 1899 - 1939 Plaza de Emilio Castelar
• 1939 - 1979 Plaza del Caudillo
• 1979 - 1987 Plaza del Pais Valenciano
• 1987 - present Plaza del Ayuntamiento

For a greater detailed history of the Plaza in Spanish please read http://www.jdiezarnal.com/valenciaentornoayuntamientohistoria.html