Amics del Museu de Xàbia
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Picture

The "Real Monasterio de San Jeronimo de Cotalba" - a Slice of history with its origins in Xàbia

(by Christine Betterton-Jones - This article first appeard in Xàbia al Día - English News - September 2009)

Until recently, modern travellers on the road from Gandía to Albaida would pass by a magnificent building set back a little north of the road and wonder what it could be, and what secrets it held.

Since May 2005 the doors to this building, the Monasterio de San Jerónimo de Cotalba, have been opened to the public and we can now visit to admire its interior and gardens and learn about its the long and varied history. The monastery has been the property of the Valencian merchant and business Trénor family since 1843. It was declared as an item of cultural interest (BIC) in 1994 and is now in the process of being restored and enhanced for visitors and as a location for concerts and private functions.

Interestingly, the monastery has its origins in Xàbia, where in 1374 Pope Gregory XI authorised its foundation to some hermit monks. Unfortunately they were attacked by pirates in Xàbia and in 1388 King Alphonso of Aragon bought some land from Muslims in Cotalba away from the sea and gave it to the monks.

The monastery building is still used by the Trénor family especially during the summer months, but visitors are welcome on Thursdays and Saturdays.

A guided tour, of about one and a half hours duration, includes an interesting 20 minute introductory film (available in three languages, Valenciano, Castellano and English) which highlights the historic episodes seen by the building from its time as a monastery; how it was supplied with water from a 5km aqueduct; how it was loved by poet Ausias March, how it came under the protection of the dukes of Gandía, of its fall into disrepair after the 19C confiscation of church property, of its use as a military hospital during the civil war, how the Trénors created the gardens and planted them with exotic trees brought from countries with which they traded, and thus to modern times.

The film adds an overview to the tour which is provided by a highly knowledgeable guide, who, in addition to describing the various styles of architecture, divulges interesting pieces of information which do not appear in the guidebooks. For example the layout of such monasteries always have their entrance, and that of the church, facing south, while the monks' sleeping quarters always face east to catch the early morning sun. Visitors are shown the hidden (and forbidden) female figure in the fresco of the Last Supper painted on the wall of the dining room; and told that there are frescoes under the white plaster inside the church, but that it would take skilled, and expensive work to uncover them.

Although the monastery is open from 11.30 It is best to phone first to confirm times and say if you want a guided tour. If visitors prefer an English speaking guide they only need to phone before hand to make arrangements.

Info and reservations for Thursdays: Ayto Alfauir: Tel 962835438 (8-15hr)

Info and Reservations for Saturdays: Tel 628578600 (11-19h)

E-mail: cotalbamonasterio@gmail.com

Location: Autovía Gandía-Albiada (CV60) 46275 Alfahuir (Valencia). Signposted from the main road. Alternative access via Rótova.

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  • Home
    • Qui Som?
    • ¿Quienes Somos?
    • About Us
    • Calendario
    • Actas
  • Blogs
    • Activitats
    • Actividades
    • Activities
  • Projectes
    • Premio de Investigación - Formularios de Inscripción
    • Traducciones Translations >
      • DISPLAY PANELS - GROUND FLOOR >
        • THE STONE AGES - PALAEOLITHIC, EPIPALAEOLITHIC AND NEOLITHIC
        • CAVE PAINTINGS (ARTE RUPESTRE)
        • CHALCOLITHIC (Copper) & BRONZE AGES
        • THE IBERIAN CULTURE (THE IRON AGE)
        • THE IBERIAN TREASURE OF XÀBIA
        • THE ROMAN SETTLEMENTS OF XÀBIA
        • THE ROMAN SITE AT PUNTA DE L'ARENAL
        • THE MUNTANYAR NECROPOLIS
        • ARCHITECTURAL DECORATIONS OF THE PUNTA DE L'ARENAL
        • THE ATZÚBIA SITE
        • THE MINYANA SMITHY
      • Translations archive
      • Quaderns: Versión castellana >
        • 1. La Romanización en las tierras de Xàbia
        • 2. Xàbia en la Modernidad
        • 3. La prehistoria de Xàbia y su entorno
      • Quaderns: English versions >
        • 1. Romanisation of Xàbia
        • 2. Xàbia in the Modern Era
        • 3. The Prehistory of Xàbia and its surroundings.
    • Catálogo de castillos regionales >
      • Castells / Castillos / Castles - Intro
      • Castillo de Aielo de Rugat
      • Castillo de Alcalá (Benisili)
      • Castillo de Borró
      • Castillo de Carbonera
      • Castillo de Castalla
      • Castillo de Chio /Xiu (Llutxent)
      • Castillo de Enguera
      • Castillo de Montesa
      • Inventario
    • Exposició - Castells Andalusins >
      • Intro - Valenciá
    • Exposición - Castillos Andalusíes >
      • Intro - Castellano
    • Exhibition - Islamic castles >
      • Intro and menu - English
    • Sylvia A. Schofield - Libros donados
    • Mejorar la entrada/improve the entrance >
      • Proyecto - fotos
      • Cartel Roll-up
  • Historia y enlaces
    • Historía de Xàbia >
      • La Cova del Barranc del Migdia
      • El Vell Cementeri de Xàbia
      • El Torpedinament del Vapor Germanine
      • El Saladar i les Salines
      • La Telegrafía y la Casa de Cable
      • Pescadores de Xàbia
      • La Caseta de Biot
      • La Guerra Civil / the Spanish civil war >
        • Intro - La Guerra Civil / the Spanish civil war
        • El refugi de la guerra del moll de Xàbia
        • l'Arquitectura de la Guerra a Xàbia
        • El bombardeig de Xàbia
        • Planos - Refugi Moll
    • History of Xàbia (English articles) >
      • Ermita del Pòpul - a brief history
      • Telegraphy and the Casa del Cable
      • Civil war architecture in Xàbia
      • Cemetery of San Joan
      • Cova del Migdía
      • Quintus Sertorius - the "Braveheart" of Hispania
    • Charlas y excursiones / talks and excursions >
      • Fotos de actividades
      • Expo Iran - MARQ
      • La Illyeta dels Banyets
      • Al Azraq
      • La Pilota Valenciana
      • Pla de Petracos
      • Cova del Comte - Pedreguer
    • Enllaços
    • Enlaces
    • Links
  • Social media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • You Tube
  • Visitas virtuales
    • Museu de Xàbia
    • Iglesia de San Bartolomé
    • Capella Santa Anna
    • Ermita de Santa Llúcia
    • Ermita de San Joan
    • Santuario de la Mare de Déu dels Àngels
    • Ermita del Popul
    • Ermita del Calvario
    • Casa tradicional l'Escaldá
    • Casa tradicional Carrer Nou
  • Tenda Tienda Shop
    • Souvenirs
    • Llibres / libros / books