Villalonga | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Villalonga Location in Spain | |
| Coordinates:38°53′5″N0°12′31″W / 38.88472°N 0.20861°W /38.88472; -0.20861 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Valencian Community |
| Province | Valencia |
| Comarca | Safor |
| Judicial district | Gandia |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Juanjo Sanchis (PSPV-PSOE) |
| Area | |
• Total | 43.3 km2 (16.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 92 m (302 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01) | |
• Total | 4,713 |
| • Density | 109/km2 (282/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Villalonguero/a Villalonguer/a |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 46720 |
| Official language(s) | Valencian andSpanish |
| Website | Official website |
Villalonga (Spanish:[biʎaˈloŋɡa]) is a municipality in theSaforcomarca of theProvince of Valencia, in theValencian Community, Spain. It is located on the northern slopes of the Safor mountain range, near the border with theProvince of Alicante. The municipality has 4713 inhabitants.
Villalonga lies in a wide valley crossed by theSerpis River, which flows northeast towards the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding terrain is characterized by mountains to the south and rolling agricultural land to the north.
The climate isMediterranean, with hot summers (35–40 °C) and mild winters (−5 to 5 °C). Late summer and early autumn may bring episodes ofgota fría, intense storms that can deliver over 300 mm of rain in a single day.
The village is accessible fromValencia via theN-332 toGandia, and then theCV-680 through Almoines, Beniarjó, Beniflá, and Potríes. A bus service connects Villalonga with Gandia and several nearby towns.
Villalonga bordersAdor,Castellonet,Fuente Encarroz,Lugar Nuevo de San Jerónimo,Oliva,Potríes andTerrateig (Valencia province); andAdsubia,Lorcha, andVall de Gallinera (Alicante province).
Archaeological evidence indicates human presence since the Upper Paleolithic, with later Mesolithic and Chalcolithic remains. Sites such asLes Coves del Pastor (now destroyed) and theCova del Racó del Duc were used for habitation or funerary purposes in prehistoric times.
In August 1240,James I of Aragon conquered the valley, granting the castle and lands to Diego López III de Haro, Lord of Biscay. Over subsequent centuries, the lordship passed through several noble families. In 1603 the barony was acquired by Pedro Franqueza y Esteve, who was later made Count of Villalonga byPhilip III of Spain. After his downfall in 1606, the lands were administered directly by the Crown.
Following theExpulsion of the Moriscos (1609), Villalonga was repopulated under aCarta Pobla signed on 26 January 1612. The surnames of these first Christian settlers included Bas de Mezquida, Carbó, Cifré, Estruch, Fuster, Martí, Mascarell, Puig, Reig, Rocher, Sanchis, and Tarrasó, among others.
The economy is based on agriculture (notably orange groves in irrigated areas, and olives and other fruit trees on dry land), light industry, and services. Food manufacturerVicky Foods (formerly Dulcesol) and ceramic production are major employers. Sheep, goat, and cattle farming exist on a small scale.
The town hosts a twice-weekly market (Tuesdays and Fridays) and serves as a commercial hub for neighbouring villages. In recent decades, urban expansion has been significant, though population growth has remained moderate.
Major celebrations include:
The formerAlcoy–Gandía railway passed through Villalonga until its closure in 1969. Plans exist to convert the route into theVía Verde del Serpis, a 28 km greenway linking Muro de Alcoy to Villalonga along the Serpis River valley.
 | This article about a location in the Valencian Community, Spain, is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
.svg)
