La Alquería del Duc is a historic fortress converted into a stately manor house. It is set in one of the most picturesque spots in the region, surrounded by a natural reserve well known in the area: the Marjal de Gandia. Without a doubt, a very complete sightseeing stop to include on your route.
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La Alquería del Duc
La Alquería del Duc is a stately manor house originally designed as a fortress, built around the fifteenth century, possibly on the foundations of an earlier defensive tower. It is believed that the main function of this building was to house patrol relief teams dedicated to defending the coast against the pirate raids that plagued the area at the time.
This building has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) for its great historical, architectural and cultural value, serving as an important tourist resource for both the city of Gandia and its surrounding region.
Architecture
It features a square-plan architecture, with a large central courtyard, distributed across two floors: the first originally intended for stables, storage and service staff, while the second accommodated the dukes, guests, reception rooms and a chapel. Its walls are built of irregular stone covered with mortar, with the building topped by an Arabic-style roof supported by a timber structure.
The building reveals its original defensive character through the stone corner turrets protruding from each corner of the upper floor, as well as the embrasures along the upper section and the openings on the ground floor.
Alquería del Duc and the Borgias
The history of the Borgias at the Alquería del Duc began in 1.590, when the youngest son of Francisco de Borja, Alfonso de Borja y Castro, purchased the property and renovated it, turning it into a stately manor house, adapting it for leisure and hunting. In 1.593, before the works were completed, Alfonso de Borja y Castro died, leaving the property to his widow, who sold it in 1.600 to Duke Carlos II de Borja.
The property remained in the family until the first half of the nineteenth century, although from the eighteenth century onwards they leased it out, thereby giving up its direct management. In the twentieth century, the property passed into public ownership.
The Alquería today
Today, the Alquería del Duc houses the headquarters of the Gandia Tourism Development Centre, where training is carried out in its role as a hotel-school, hosting various workshops and activities in the tourism sector.
In addition, this venue hosts the Gandia Literary Creation Space, which provides residencies for writers to pursue their literary projects while discovering the region’s gastronomic, natural and cultural surroundings.
Marjal de Gandia
The Marjal de Gandia is a nature reserve located in the Fuente de Montaner area, within the municipalities of Gandia, Xeresa and Xeraco. This site is renowned for its great diversity of flora and fauna, considered one of the areas of highest ecological value in the region and included within the Natura 2000 Network.
It should not be confused with the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park, located further south and characterised by the Bullent and Racons rivers, the ullals (freshwater springs), the rice paddies and its own network of official routes.
This area houses a wetland ecosystem and consists of freshwater ponds connected to several irrigation channels, which constantly replenish the water with supply coming from nearby underground aquifers. This ensures high water quality and creates a perfect habitat for birds, fish, rodents and various plant species.
Flora and fauna in the Marjal
In the Marjal de Gandia, a wide variety of aquatic vegetation can be found, with species such as duckweed and water lilies dominating its lagoons, while reeds, rushes and bulrushes predominate along the banks.
As for its aquatic fauna, you can find eels, pipefish and Valencian spined loach, as well as amphibians such as the common toad and frog, and reptiles such as the viperine snake, lizard and European pond turtle.
It is also home to a large number of birds, predominantly the little grebe, mallard, moorhen and coot, alongside mammals such as rabbits, hares, hedgehogs and shrews.
Mammals predominate in the land area of the park, with typical species of the area being rabbits, hares, hedgehogs and shrews.
Trails of the Marjal
The Marjal de Gandia is the perfect spot for hiking and nature lovers, as there are several routes and trails following its channels and ponds. On these routes, you will be able to admire the park’s wildlife and discover a natural landscape that will surprise you.
In addition, near the trails, you will find designated picnic areas with shade for warmer days, offering enough space to set up tables and chairs comfortably without disturbing anyone or being disturbed.
Aula Natura
The Aula Natura is located next to the Alquería del Duc and is an environmental interpretation centre dedicated to sharing information related to the park, mainly aimed at children and young people through exhibitions and interactive experiences for visitors.
It also carries out monitoring and gathering of all types of environmental data regarding the wetland and its surrounding ecosystem, as well as environmental restoration work, locating and removing invasive species and clearing litter found in the area.
Visits
The Marjal area can be explored and enjoyed at any time of year; to visit the Aula Natura —the activities offered at the Aula Natura and its surroundings are led by professional guide-interpreters— be sure to call ahead and book.
Aula Natura telephone: 96 284 04 23
Alquería del Duc telephone: 96 284 58 58
Location of the Alquería del Duc and Aula Natura (map)
