History of Bocairent

In the ancient dates the destruction of the Iberian settlement in 'Cabezo de Mariola' to the Christian era, the Iberians of the Contestania being the founders of most of the surrounding villages of Sierra Mariola. The famous Iberian Lion of Bocairent, masterpiece seemingly dating back to the IV to C Century, still remains of this era and can be found today in the Museo de San Pio V in Valencia. Philologists say the word Bocairent derives from Bocarius and coincide with legend in dating Bocairent's beginnings to the Roman era. During the Muslim area, Bocairent was a prestigious town, being one of the few to hold markets and become highly renowned for its linen and white textiles.

At the beginning of the XI century, it formed part of the reign of 'Taifa of Denia', the castle of Bekirent being one of the most important of this reign. The bocairentine poet, Abu Marq Muhamar lbm Ruhaim, author of the Mozarabic Kjarjas was born in this era and in 1121 he joined the Court of 'Almojarife', taking charge of 'Almojarife and 'Dulwizaratán'.

Despite the ruin of the Castle of Bekirent and the passing of the years, the traces of this Arab era have barely been altered, the buildings maintaining their Islamic urban set-up and doting the medieval quarter of Bocairent with a unique beauty and attraction to appreciated it all
Walking routes:

Itinerary through the medieval quarters (1)

We set of on all three of our itineraries from the Town Hall Square, where we also find the Tourist Information Office and the Culture Society
The passing of time and political change has meant that this square has had several names from 'Elm Tree' to 'Market' to 'the Caudillo', 'Liberty' or 'Constitution' square, finally becoming known as the Town Hall Square. It is worth noting the tall and irregular houses in the square, with their asymmetrical windows dating back to XVI and XVII, some having as many as seven or eight floors, in stark contrast with the back, facing Calle Albadia, where they only reach three floors. Although to a lesser degree, this irregularity in level is typical of the Bocairent landscape and has given way to the infamous phrase "The donkeys of Bocairent peer out from the windows" as indeed in many occasions the stables were situated on the second or third floor and the heads of the animals could be seen through the windows.

Going up, in front of the Town Hall we reach the Fountain of Saint James and turning to the right the 'Barreta Vella'. In this corner of the parochial temple we can see the legendary shield of arms of 'Roser and la Minerva' (XVI Century), carved in stone and representing their guild. We pass in front of the Archeological Museum and reach the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption). Built in XVI Century its high belfry is of the purest baroque Classicism of Valencia. (See Church of Our Lady of the Assumption). Surrounding the temple we see what was most likely the old main entrance to the temple (XVI Century) and leading from this, a narrow street which leads us on Saint Vincent Square, previously known as the Prison Square because it housed the old prison. In this square we have the town hall, on the wrought iron balcony of which Saint Blas was proclaimed Patron of the town on 6th November 1632. In front we have a peculiar side window with renaissance influence and Tuscan pillar. Following on the route we see a vaulted niche to the right which marks the site where Saint Vincent Ferrer preached during his visit to Bocairent and further along, at Number 9, we see the ruins of the home of the medieval bocairentian poet, Abu Mark Muhamaj Ibm Ruhaim. At this point the street widens into the Square of Saint John's Fountain and further down we have Saint John's Hermitage.

Ermita de Sant Joan

Old Arab Mosque, dating back to XIII, it was the first church built in the Villa. There is a gothic arched steeple on the façade, built of stone and mortar. The Hermitage is at an angle with the street, cornering with the neighboring house as though it were its gable end. It is of square floor, with chequered white and grey flooring, green plinth and skirting board and white painted walls and roof. A molding, rosettes and baroque paintings on the clear roof decorate the hermitage and on the walls there are allegories of the Virgin with Child: Our Lady of Carmen, Our Lady of Sorrows and the Sacred Heart. A baroque altarpiece with solomonic columns and cherubs amongst entwined garlands proceeds the high altar. In the center of the altarpiece one can read the following inscription: "Charitas me fecit. Año 1728".

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