Castellón de la Plana history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Castellón de la Plana begins not at its current location, but on Magdalena Hill, where an ancient fortress and settlement were situated. A crucial milestone was the year 1233, when these lands came under the control of King James I of Aragon during the Reconquista.

The official moment of the current city's founding is considered to be September 8, 1251. On this day, the King signed the "Privilege of Transfer" (Privilegio de Traslado), granting permission for residents to descend from the fortified hill to the fertile plain. The actual move was completed in 1252, forever changing the destiny of the settlement.

Key Factors of Establishment

• Geography: The descent to the plain (La Plana) removed the building space limitations characteristic of a mountain fortress and provided direct access to rich land resources.
• Political Support: Royal decrees endowed the city with special rights, which contributed to its administrative strengthening and population growth.
• Strategic Planning: The city was laid out a few kilometres from the sea, which at the time protected it from pirate raids while still allowing for the development of maritime trade through the coastal district of El Grao.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic foundation of early Castellón was intensive agriculture. Residents effectively utilized and expanded the system of irrigation canals (acequias), many of which were a heritage of the Arab period. This transformed the city's surroundings into a flourishing garden.

Cultural life formed around the construction of iconic structures. Shortly after the relocation, the construction of the Santa Maria parish church and the Town Hall began, as well as the building of defensive walls necessary to protect the city on the open terrain.

The Middle Ages: From Fortress to City

• 1233: The troops of King James I of Aragon conquer the territory from the Moors, establishing Christian rule.
• 1251: The King signs the "Privilege of Transfer", allowing residents to move from the hill to the plain.
• 1252: Founding of the city at its current location, celebrated today as the main city festival (Magdalena).
• 1366: A farmer discovers a statuette of the Virgin Mary of Lledó, who subsequently becomes the patron saint of the city.
• 1440: Construction begins on the free-standing bell tower, El Fadrí, which became the main symbol of the city's independence.

Modern Era: Administrative and Economic Growth

• 1707: During the War of the Spanish Succession, the city supports Archduke Charles, leading to a temporary loss of privileges following the Bourbon victory.
• 1833: Castellón de la Plana receives the status of capital of the newly formed province of Castellón.
• 1837: The city successfully withstands a Carlist siege, for which Queen Isabella II grants it the title "Faithful and Heroic".
• 1862: Opening of the railway line connecting Castellón with Valencia, giving a powerful impulse to trade.
• 1891: Large-scale reconstruction and expansion of the port in the El Grao district begins for commercial shipping.

20th Century and Contemporary Times

• 1936–1939: The Spanish Civil War causes serious damage to architecture, including the destruction of the Santa Maria church (later restored).
• 1960s: Beginning of the industrial boom that turned the province into one of the world centres for ceramic tile production.
• 1991: Founding of the Jaume I University (UJI), which made the city an important educational and scientific hub of the region.
• 2011: Opening of the Castellón-Costa Azahar Airport, designed to increase tourist flow to the province.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Castellón de la Plana is a journey from a medieval agrarian settlement to a modern industrial and university centre. Below are the main milestones that defined the modern appearance of the city.

• Urban Foundation (1252)
  Moving the city from the hill to the plain allowed for the application of a regular rectangular street layout. This decision laid the foundation for convenient urban navigation and future expansion, which would have been impossible in the mountainous terrain.
• Creation of the Irrigation System (Acequia Mayor)
  The construction and improvement of the main irrigation canal became the economic foundation of the city. This allowed arid lands to be turned into fertile gardens, ensuring prosperity through the cultivation of hemp, and later, citrus fruits.
• Provincial Capital Status (1833)
  Designation as the administrative centre of the province led to a concentration of government institutions, courts, and services. This stimulated an influx of educated population and the construction of monumental public buildings.
• Transport Revolution (Late 19th Century)
  The launch of the railway (1862) and the modernization of the El Grao port (1891) opened the city's access to international markets. This triggered the "orange boom"—a sharp increase in exports and the wealth of local residents.
• Demolition of Defensive Walls (Turn of the 19th–20th Centuries)
  Dismantling the medieval fortifications allowed the city to "breathe" and grow outwards. Wide avenues and squares emerged in place of the walls, connecting the historic centre with new districts.
• Formation of the Ceramic Cluster (1960s)
  Global economic transformation of the region. The transition from agriculture to mass production of ceramic tiles made Castellón one of Europe's leading industrial centres in this sector.
• Creation of Jaume I University (1991)
  The opening of the university radically changed the socio-cultural landscape. The city became a magnet for youth, which boosted the development of the service sector, housing rentals, and public transport (TRAM).

Urban Structure: Order from the Foundation

The architectural appearance of Castellón de la Plana is unique for the Spanish Middle Ages. Since the city was moved to the plain according to a plan rather than growing spontaneously, a clear orthogonal street grid (Hippodamian system) lies at its core. The historic centre, bounded by modern squares that emerged on the site of old fortress walls, retains this logical rectangular layout, making walks through the old town intuitively easy to navigate.

Valencian Gothic: A Symbol of Independence

The medieval era left the city its main symbol—a free-standing bell tower. The style is characterized by strict lines and monumentality.

• El Fadrí: A striking example of 15th-century Valencian Gothic. This octagonal tower is unique in that it is not attached to the cathedral, symbolizing the city's civil independence from ecclesiastical authority.
• Co-cathedral of Santa Maria: Originally a Gothic temple that survived a fire and complete destruction in 1936. The current building is a meticulous reconstruction in the Neo-Gothic style, restoring the historical volume and spirit of the original.

Baroque and Civil Construction (17th–18th Centuries)

During this period, the ensemble of the main square—Plaza Mayor—was formed. Architecture became more ceremonial, reflecting the growth of the city's administrative importance. Classical proportions with elements of restrained Baroque prevail.

• Lonja del Cáñamo (Hemp Exchange): A building from the early 17th century, combining features of Mannerism and Baroque. The open loggia with Tuscan columns recalls the times when the hemp trade was the basis of the region's economy.
• City Hall (Palacio Municipal): Built in the early 18th century. It is an elegant example of civil architecture with Tuscan porticos, harmoniously complementing the ensemble of the square opposite the cathedral.

Modernism and Eclecticism: The "Orange Boom" Era

The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century were marked by an economic upturn thanks to citrus exports. The wealthy bourgeoisie sought to demonstrate status through architecture, introducing ornate facades, wrought-iron balconies, and ceramic decor to the city's appearance.

• Main Post Office Building (Edificio de Correos): An impressive example of Neo-Mudéjar and Valencian Modernism from 1932. The building stands out for its use of brick, ceramics, and glass, resembling a fairytale palace.
• Old Casino (Casino Antiguo): Built in 1923. The facade combines elements of Plateresque and Eclecticism, reflecting the tastes of the elite of that time.
• Ribalta Park: Although this is a landscape feature, its surroundings are built up with mansions in the Modernist style, forming a bourgeois district of the early 20th century.

Contemporary Architecture

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Castellón continued to develop, focusing on functionalism and avant-garde forms in public buildings.

• Auditorium and Palace of Congresses: A building made of white concrete and quartz, embodying modern minimalism and the play of light.
• Museum of Fine Arts (Museu de Belles Arts): An example of modern museum architecture that has received numerous awards for its integration into the urban environment.

Historical Figures and Founders

• James I the Conqueror (Jaume I el Conquistador)
  King of Aragon
  A key figure in the city's destiny. Although he was not a native of these parts, it was his decree (Privilegio de Traslado) of 1251 that allowed residents to descend from the mountain fortress to the plain. This decision is considered the moment of birth of modern Castellón, which is celebrated annually at the Magdalena festival.

Figures of Art and Culture

• Matilde Salvador (Matilde Salvador i Segarra)
  Composer and Artist (1918–2007)
  One of the most prominent female composers in Spain in the 20th century. A native of Castellón, she became the first woman to have her opera performed at the famous Liceu Theatre in Barcelona. She actively promoted Valencian culture and music.
• Juan Bautista Porcar (Juan Bautista Porcar)
  Painter and Archaeologist (1889–1974)
  Known as a talented landscape painter and discoverer of cave paintings in the province (Levantine Art, a UNESCO World Heritage site). His contribution to preserving the region's historical heritage is invaluable.
• Josep Pasqual Tirado (Josep Pasqual Tirado)
  Writer (1884–1937)
  Author of the book "Tombatossals", which created the modern mythology of the city. The story of the gentle giant Tombatossals and his friends, who helped build Castellón, has become an integral part of local folklore and holiday traditions.
• Bernat Artola (Bernat Artola)
  Poet (1904–1958)
  An iconic Valencian poet whose work is permeated with love for the landscapes and people of his native land. His poems are considered a benchmark of the region's literary language, and a monument to him has been erected in the city.

Modern Celebrities

• Roberto Bautista Agut (Roberto Bautista Agut)
  Professional Tennis Player (born 1988)
  A world-class athlete born in Castellón de la Plana. He has been ranked in the ATP top 10 and won the Davis Cup with the Spanish national team, bringing glory to the city on the international sports arena.