Anna: Valencia’s Little Alhambra

The Valencia Community has many interesting castles, some of them little known and rarely visited. One such castle is to be found at Anna, near Xátiva.

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The current palace was built upon the ruins of a Muslim castle, some of whose remains are still visible, and was donated by King Jaime I to the Order of Santiago following the Reconquest in the 13^th century.

Today, after much rebuilding and refurbishing, it has earned itself the nickname of ‘Valencia’s Alhambra’.

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It is located in one of the town’s nicest nooks, placed, as our hoarse but happy guide Lucia pointed out, not at the highest point but at the lowest, so as to take advantage of the water supply, which is abundant and loud as you stand looking up at the austere façade.

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Inside is another matter, and indeed you could easily have been transported south to Granada as you take in the exquisitely detailed ceilings and lamps, the wood carvings and intricate mosaics that create a feast for the eyes.

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To some degree the impression is deceptive, a mixture of old and new, the building has had some famous owners, such as the notorious Borgia family, and suffered from a massive earthquake in 1748, which destroyed another Valencian castle at Montesa.

Later it became the property of the Count of Cervellón, whose name it bears today.

The visits are guided, and you have to book, and they are clearly very popular judging by the number of people turning up.

The first stop is in the Arab cistern underground, which is now a museum, where you can find domestic implements of days gone by, some of which stimulate the imagination.

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The patio and events room are the star attractions, and although they look very old, the events room was in fact a project that lasted from 2001 to 2007, when Moroccan artisans were engaged to create a little Alhambra, which today can be used for weddings and other events, with an inner room that has all the trappings of a high quality harem.

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There are other areas such as a chapel, and up on the second floor the room where the local Council meets, which parts of the old castle wall showing through.

There are a hundred details to focus on, all lovingly explained by Lucia, when her voice is working, such as the swastika designs on the doors, which may be a reference to ancient Eurasian beliefs, or least one hopes so.

After your visit it is worthwhile driving a few kilometres to Anna’s lake, where there are waterside restaurants to cater for your needs. We went to Chay and tried the Gazpacho Manchego, typical of the area bordering Castilla la Mancha.

Altogether a pleasant way to spend a Saturday, including a little autumnal colour and ducks.