The northern gardens of Valencia form an unbroken green space that has been in use for millennia with great scenic, ecological and cultural value. It is around a densely populated area, which is the third largest city in Spain. The market gardens of Valencia are unique because it is a landscape inherited from the times of the Islamic invasion that has been preserved, despite the intense development and transformation of the environment.
The whole area of the Horta is covered by an extensive network of irrigation channels of Arabic origin, which has been governed by the Valencia Water Tribunal for centuries. This institution has been designated Intangible World Heritage, since it meets every Thursday at the door of the cathedral. Different types of buildings are associated with the landscape of the gardens, such as the farmsteads (linked to medieval lordships) and more humble buildings, like workers’ cottages and cabins.
The combination of fertile soil, abundance of water and a benign climate mean that the Valencian market gardens possess great agricultural importance, where crops that are hard to find in other places are grown, such as tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus), which are used to make a delicious drink called horchata, and which can be seen in the surrounding fields together with more traditional vegetables, like aubergines, artichokes, carrots and tomatoes.
- Access by car: because of its accessibility and position in the heart of the northern Horta of Valencia, we propose the point where the Way of El Cid (Xurra Green Way) crosses the road between Almàssera and Port Saplana.
- Access for people with limited mobility: there are no infrastructures adapted for people with limited mobility but there are no limitations.
- Legal protection: it does not form part of any Protected Natural Area, but its unique landscape is included in the Plan for Territorial Action and Dynamisation of the Valencian Gardens. Seasonality: the market gardens are seen at their best in spring and early summer.
- Recommendations, what to see and do: it is worth visiting Almàssera Garden Museum, which is barely 200m away. And travellers should not fail to call at some of the numerous ‘horchaterías’ in the area to try the best home-made Valencia horchata, accompanied by fartons, a kind of sweet bread.
Rev.: PAB 10.05.23