If you do not know the Ducal Palace of Gandia, from LOCK & enjoy! we encourage you to continue reading this article to learn more about this jewel of Valencian heritage. Also, we would like to mention that this town is located very close to Valencia, so you will have no problem getting there. It’s time, so discover the Ducal Palace and its charms.
Everything you need to know about the Doge’s Palace
The Ducal Palace is located in Gandia, just 70 kilometers from the city of Valencia, so you can go by train, bus or car. In this palace lived the famous Borgia for more than 300 years. If you do not know who they are, we explain that they were a Valencian family of nobles who had a lot of influence in the past. Even two of its members became popes: Calixtus III and Alexander VI.
You can visit this palace whenever you want, as it is open every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, depending on the time of year, lectures, activities and exhibitions are held.
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Are you ready to visit the Doge’s Palace and get to know the ins and outs of the nobles of the time? From LOCK & enjoy! we hope you like it as much as we do.
Palace rooms
The Hall of Crowns is perhaps the most important room in the Palau Ducal. It is so called because of the double crown that decorates the entire coffered ceiling. On its walls, you will contemplate 8 sargas painted with scenes from the life of Francisco de Borja, as well as a series of tiles from the sixteenth century.
The Hall of the Eagles is one of the main spaces of the palace. Here you can see how baroque art is present in every corner and the birds that decorate the frieze topped with gold leaf. Get your camera ready!
Along with the above, the neo-Gothic chapel will not leave you indifferent either. It was built when it was acquired by the Society of Jesus and is dedicated to San Francisco de Borja. We are sure that the large ribbed vault and the magnificent rose window will leave you speechless. Also, in this chapel you will discover tiles originating from Manises and dating from the sixteenth century.
Treasures
The Doge’s Palace hides numerous secrets and details that are worth knowing to make you aware of its relevance and beauty:
- Gothic mural paintings: They are located in the Cinta Room and date from the 13th and 14th centuries. They will fascinate you.
- Ceramics: The entire architectural complex is full of ceramic murals, since for centuries it was used as a decorative element in pavements and baseboards. They are very well preserved and you can see them in the Sala de la Torrecilla, in the Salón de Coronas or in the Galería Dorada.
- Mortuary mask of Saint Francis Borgia: The mortuary masks were made to have a souvenir of the deceased and were very famous until the 19th century. In this case, it is perfectly preserved and has a great value, since it is one of the first images we have of this outstanding character. Subsequently, it served as inspiration for numerous artistic creations.
We are sure that every corner will captivate you and become a journey into the past through the senses!
Characters
Numerous characters have passed through the Ducal Palace and left their mark, so they are present in many corners of the complex. Let’s name some of them.
In the first place, we must highlight Alfonso of Aragon. He was very famous for his courageous military actions and for his political skills in the so-called War of the Two Peters. For this reason, he was granted numerous noble titles, such as, for example, the Duke of Gandía.
Next, we have Pedro de Ribagorça. He had a strong political influence at the time because he was the fourth son of King James II. The good relations with his brother favored him to obtain the most influential titles in the Crown of Aragon. Thus, he obtained numerous possessions in the kingdom of Valencia, whose center was Gandía and place of habitual residence.
Of course, we cannot leave out María Enríquez de Luna. She was a first cousin of King Ferdinand the Catholic. With the help of Pope Alexander VI, she promoted Renaissance modernity in Gandia, as well as architectural improvements in different parts of the city. She also carried out the reorganization of the accounts of the town.
Discover the Doge’s Palace and its charms
In conclusion, we encourage you to visit this wonderful set of Valencian heritage to discover all its secrets. Find your
