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Alcalà de Xivert

Alcalà de Xivert
Municipality
Coat of arms of Alcalà de Xivert
Coat of arms
Alcalà de Xivert is located in Spain
Alcalà de Xivert
Alcalà de Xivert
Location in Spain
Coordinates: 40°18′15″N 0°13′32″E / 40.30417°N 0.22556°E / 40.30417; 0.22556Coordinates: 40°18′15″N 0°13′32″E / 40.30417°N 0.22556°E / 40.30417; 0.22556
Country Spain
Autonomous community Valencian Community
Province Castelló
Comarca Plana Alta
Judicial district Castelló de la Plana
Area
 • Total 167.5 km2 (64.7 sq mi)
Elevation 155 m (509 ft)
Population (2009)
 • Total 7,926
 • Density 47/km2 (120/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Xivertí, xivertina
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 12570
Official language(s) Valencian

Alcalà de Xivert (Spanish: Alcalá de Chivert; Aragonese: Alcalá d'Exibert) is a town and municipality in the Baix Maestrat comarca, province of Castelló, Valencian Community, Spain.

The main town is located inland in a flat valley between the two mountain ranges of Serra d'Irta and Serra de les Talaies. There is no river in the valley; instead the water emerges in natural ponds known as basses.

Its castle occupied a strong position for the control of the routes along the Mediterranean coast. Here stood a Moorish castle (the name of the town derives from Arabic al-qalat = "the castle") that was captured by James I of Aragon in 1234, who also resettled the place with Christian villagers.

On 30 August 1905, scientists came from all over the world to Alcalà de Xivert to watch a total solar eclipse which covered an area from the coast of North Africa to the North-East of Spain.

In contemporary times the economy of the town is devoted mainly to tourism, with several beaches and a busy marina at the villages located on the coast, Alcossebre, Capicorb and Les Fonts.

The landmark of the town is the Esglèsia de Sant Joan Baptista (Church of Saint John the Baptist), built in 1736–1766, with a large dome, a noteworthy Baroque portal, and a 68-metre-high tower, which is visible from many miles away.

The castle of Xivert, was built by the Moors in the 12th century and later conquered by the Knights Templar.


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