“The Visigoth Experience”
This trip is now full but we will be happy to take names for the reserve list.
In the morning we will travel to Valencia for a short guided tour of the Visigothic site “La Vella” and then proceed to the “Visigothic villa Pla de Nadal”. Our last visit will be to the nearby Visigothic Museum in the Castell de Riba-roja de Túria. From there we will walk to the Restaurante La Muralleta for a special “Visigothic Menu”. After lunch, for those who are interested, there will be the opportunity to see the Old Bridge or Puente del Conde which is just 5 minutes’ walk from the restaurant, before we return to Jávea.
Valencia “La Vella”: an unknown Visigoth city of about 5 hectares in size.
The Visigothic site of Valencia “la Vella” has been known since the 14th century and, partly due to its name, had been associated with the pre-Roman and Roman settlement Pallantia. It was built 16 km from Valentia, during the second half of the 6th century and dominating the Turia river waterway. The interior of the city was divided into 3 large areas, with their internal closures: an upper area with noble constructions; an intermediate area, where a cereal storage sector and an oven have been identified; and the lower area, with public buildings and a large entrance plaza. The Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology (ICAC)has now opened part of the archaeological site for guided visits, enabling a greater understanding of this area’s Hispanic Visigothic past.
Forming part of a palatine complex, the Visigothic villa Pla de Nadal was a large palace inspired by Roman villas, but with a portico, galleries and advanced towers. It had at least two floors like some Byzantine palaces; while the ground floor, with a rustic appearance, was dedicated to the storage of agricultural products such as grain, wine or oil, the upper floor was residential, very luxurious, profusely decorated with stuccos, paintings and a large number of friezes and other architectural elements. The palace was eventually looted before it was set on fire. The destruction of a large part of its remains to plant orange trees makes it impossible to know the structure of the original building, but thanks to multidisciplinary work and with the help of a laser scanner, a relief model has been obtained on a 3D printer of the known part, and the infographic reconstruction of the complete palace, in which details such as balustrades, windows, porticoes, facades and towers have been obtained from the original pieces found.
Built in the 11th century, inhabited by Muslims and Christians, warriors and nobles, prisoners and counts, nowadays, it is the most important heritage monument in Riba-Roja de Túria, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. This exceptional palace complex was ordered to be built by Teodomiro, Duke of Carthaginensis, after the arrival of the Arabs in 711. The visit offers the opportunity to learn about the history of this building and the changes it has undergone over the centuries. The Castle houses the Visigothic Museum of Pla de Nadal, where we will discover some of the most outstanding pieces from the Pla de Nadal site, discovered in 1970.
Our special “Visigoth Lunch” will be at the nearby Restaurante La Muralleta, located in the heart of the Turia Natural and Fluvial Park. – please see the menu below.
After lunch there will be time to visit the Old Bridge for those who are interested.
PROGRAMME
08.45 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, layby by the petanque park in Calle Bruselas, Arenal.
09.00 hrs: Departure from Interiors, opposite side of the road, Javea port. Pickup at Mas y Mas on the N332 if required. Comfort stop enroute.
11.00 hrs: Meet our guide at the Valencia La Vella metro stop; visit to the Visigothic site of Valencia “la Vella”.
11.45 hrs: Travel to the Pla de Nadal for a visit to the Visigoth site.
12.30 hrs: Travel to the Castell de Riba-roja de Túria for a visit to the Visigoth Museum.
14.00 hrs: Visigoth lunch at the Restaurante La Muralleta in Riba Roja.
16.00 hrs: Optional walk to the Old Bridge over the River Túria.
16.30 hrs: Departure from the restaurant for the return journey to Javea.
18.30 hrs: Approximate time of arrival in Javea.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Coach transport
Guided visits as described in the programme and entry to the museum
Lunch at the Restaurante La Muralleta
Gratuities
COST: €48 per person. We are sorry but the trip is not suitable for anyone with a walking disability.
Payment by bank transfer or card on receipt of confirmation of booking. Please use the reference VISIGOTH along with your name/s.
BOOKING IS NOW OPEN via email to group leaders Angela & Tony:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
Any additional or alternative drinks should be paid for individually on request.
Numbers adjacent to the courses refer to allergins. Mulsum was the ancient beverage used by Romans, with the two main ingredients being wine and honey. The beverage was usually served before the main meal and is therefore an aperitif.
