Do you know the Ducal Palace of Gandía?
This emblematic building is located in the city of Gandía, the capital of the Safor region in the province of Valencia. Inside this palace you can enjoy rooms with a lot of history, such as the crown hall, or its neo-Gothic chapel, or the chamber of the duchess… rooms with lots of stories.
It is a building with a very special history and architectural style. To put it in context, this was the palace where Francisco de Borja y Aragón IV, the former Duke of Gandía, was born. It was converted into San Francisco de Borja.
The architecture of the Doge’s Palace
As we see the Ducal Palace in Gandía today, it has gone through many phases of history and architecture. It is known that its origin is Gothic, dating from between the 14th and 15th centuries. It also went through the Borgia period, then underwent renovations in the 16th century, during the Renaissance. If we look closely, we can see that it has undergone some Baroque transformations in the 17th and 18th centuries.
At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, neo-Gothic renovations were carried out by the Society of Jesus, the current owner of the palace.
Although it has undergone several modifications throughout history, it still retains details of its Gothic origins, such as the floor plan, the bolt on the entrance door, a mullioned window located on the staircase in the central courtyard, and the interior gallery located under the eaves.
A building of real interest in the city
The Palace has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest since 1964, representing Valencia’s historical heritage.
It is currently open to visitors, and some of its rooms are used for events and conferences. And of course, you can also find exhibitions by different artists.
A visit to the palace is essential if you are visiting the city. You can take guided tours, audio-guided tours, and dramatised tours.
As architects in Gandía who have been working in the city for many years, we can say that this building is a must-see.
About the author: José Antonio Velló
Architect registered with the COACV and co-founder of Velló Monfort Arquitectes. He has over 20 years of experience in the design, renovation and technical management of residential and public projects in the Valencian Community.
Specialist in urban planning regulations, energy efficiency, and comprehensive construction management for individuals, developers, and public entities.