Xirivella

Xirivella
Municipality
Chirivella

Coat of arms
Xirivella

Location in Spain

Coordinates: 39°27′56″N 0°25′36″W / 39.46556°N 0.42667°W / 39.46556; -0.42667Coordinates: 39°27′56″N 0°25′36″W / 39.46556°N 0.42667°W / 39.46556; -0.42667
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Valencian Community
Province Valencia
Comarca Horta Oest
Judicial district Mislata
Government
  Alcalde Michel Montaner Berbel (2015) (PSOE)
Area
  Total 5.2 km2 (2.0 sq mi)
Elevation 17 m (56 ft)
Population (2009)
  Total 30,691
  Density 5,900/km2 (15,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Chirivellense, Xirivellenc
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 46950
Official language(s) Valencian
Website Official website

Xirivella (Valencian pronunciation: [tʃiɾiˈveʎa]) is a municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain. It borders the city of Valencia, Alaquàs, Picanya and Mislata. The municipality is divided by the V-30 motorway and the river Turia, with the La Luz district on the eastern part of the river. Since June 2012, a bridge across the motorway has connected both parts.[1] Local issues include noise pollution, caused by the nearby Valencia Airport[2]

It is connected to central Valencia by bus routes and a railway station. Metro links exist in the nearby town of Mislata.

Toponymy

The name Xirivella may come from the Latin word Silvella (little forest).

History

Archeological remains have been found in Xirivella dating since Roman times.

During the Middle Ages the area was inhabited by farmers that cultivated the land. The silk industry also developed during this period.

Xirivella had a population of 29,409 inhabitants in 2014.

Sister Cities

Xirivella has town twinned with Casas de Benítez in Cuenca province (Spain) and the city of Habana Vieja in Cuba.

Cultural Heritage

Virgen de la Salud Church

Xirivella has an interesting cultural heritage.

The old city maintains the urbanism from the Arabic era. This is a list of the main historical buildings:

- Virgen de la Salud Church (Església de la Verge de la Salut): The only parish until 1953. It was built at the end of the 17th century.

- Virgen de la Salud Chapel (Ermita de la Verge de la Salut)

- La Closa: 14th century building. It was restored in 2003.

- Dau House: 14th century building. It was the place where taxes could be paid.

- Tithe House (Casa del Delme): 14th century house, but it was demolished around 2000.

- Alquería del Castillo (Alqueria del Castell): It has also been demolished. It was located at the place where the original Roman villa that origined the city.

Cultural Life

Xirivella has a very active cultural life. There are several cultural associations that include the wind orchestra (banda) called CIM Xirivella, the choir (Escola Coral Andarella), the International Clowns Festival (Mostra Internacional de Pallassos), the music school, the Culture House where are hold concerts, shows, exhibitions, and a theater. Xirivella also organize the Xirivella Award, a recognition to honor its outstanding citizens.

Local politics

The municipality had been governed by the Spanish Socialist Workers Party since the 1970s, either alone or with the support of United Left. However at the 2011 local elections, the People's Party won a majority of seats for the first time.[3]

Summary of council election results

1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) 8 13 10 11 9 11 10 10 7 6
United Left (IU) 7 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 1
Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) 6
People's Party (PP) 5 2 3 8 8 8 9 11 7
Valencian Union (UV) 2 1
Xirivella Independent Platform (PIX) 3 4 1
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 2
Coalició Compromís (Compromís) 1 4
Podemos (Podemos) 3
Total number of seats 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

Source:[4]

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, November 18, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.