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Alcoy (Spain)

Alcoi/Alcoy
Municipality
Alcoi
VGeneral Alcoi.jpg
Flag of Alcoi/Alcoy
Flag
Coat of arms of Alcoi/Alcoy
Coat of arms
Alcoi/Alcoy is located in Spain
Alcoi/Alcoy
Alcoi/Alcoy
Location in Spain
Coordinates: 38°41′54″N 0°28′25″W / 38.69833°N 0.47361°W / 38.69833; -0.47361
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Valencian Community
Province Alicante
Comarca Alcoià
Judicial district Alcoi
Government
 • Mayor Antonio Francés Pérez (2011) (PSOE)
Area
 • Total 129.86 km2 (50.14 sq mi)
Elevation 562 m (1,844 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 95,526
 • Density 740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Alcoià, alcoiana (Valencian)
alcoyano, alcoyana (Spanish)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 03801-03804 and 03818
Official language(s) Valencian, Spanish
Website Official website

Alcoy (Spanish: [alˈkoi]) or Alcoi (Valencian: [aɫˈkɔj]) is a city and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain. The Serpis river crosses the municipal boundary of Alcoi. The local authority reported 95.526 residents in 2010.

The first traces of human presence in the area date to c. 60,000 years ago, when Neandertal hunters settled here. A site with rock paintings, dating to c. 10,000/6,500 years ago, has been discovered near la Sarga. From around the mid-3rd millennium BC people started to move from the caves to the plain where cereals were grown, while mountain fortifications were erected (Mola Alta de Serelles, Mas del Corral, Mas de Menente, El Puig).

After the Roman conquest of the Iberians, several rural villas were built in the area, as well as a necropolis. The town was established in 1256 by James I of Aragon, with the construction of a castle on a strategic position over the Serpis river, to secure the southern frontier of the Kingdom of Valencia during the Reconquista.

In 1291 the town was donated by King James II of Aragon to the Sicilian admiral Roger of Lauria; it will not return a royal possession until 1430.

During the War of Spanish Succession, Alcoi sided for the cause of archduke Charles, and was therefore besieged and stripped of numerous privileges, which started a period of decline.


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