We had decided for the Saturday we would do a day trip as neither of us had been out of Valencia in all our months there, and it seemed like a shame to not see at least one other town. We picked a place called Xativa for a few different reasons; two teachers had recommended it to us, the internet recommended it to us, it was only half an hour train ride away, and the train was cheap. We weren't quite certain what to expect, especially as upon arrival the train set us down in a dirty industrial area. Hopes low, we began wandering towards where we thought the city center might be.
Things improved as we came across this pretty park.
We enjoyed the parks artistic touches, of which there were many cool little details, paintings, carvings etc. It was fully Spring now, and the trees were blossomed with the most amazing colors. One of my favorite things was wherever there were orange trees, the smell of the orange blossoms was heavy in the air and smelled amazing.
The park was closed off on one side by a medieval stone wall. It made the park even prettier in my opinion. The town had a long and interesting past, famous during Roman times for it's linen fabrics, and then in the 12th the Arabs brought the technology to manufacture paper here.
The dramatic main walkway in the park
We eventually wandered up (Xativa being built on a mountainside) to the main area of the town, and came across this pretty church. A passing nun told us we could go in if we wanted, so we did.
It was very pretty, and very quiet.
The narrow streets were small and winding, the houses brightly colored, it was exactly what I had always imagined Spain looking like. I suppose the stereotypical imagery has to come from somewhere!
The church, not only an impressive building, but it seemed to be the center of Xativa, with the town spreading out around it.
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