Ducal Palace of Gandia a popular and interesting tourist attraction

Ducal Palace of Gandia is a tourist attraction in the city and an interesting monument worth visiting during your stay on the Costa Blanca in Spain.

Gandia is a large city in eastern Spain, located on the Mediterranean Sea. It has plenty to offer in terms of attractions, including historical sites and landmarks, aside from its beautiful beaches and resorts. Situated between the mountains and the sunny Mediterranean coast, the city enjoys an exceptional climate and predictable weather throughout the year.

One of the landmarks worth visiting in Gandia is the Ducal Palace, which has served as the residence of local dukes for centuries. In the article below, I will explain why it’s worth visiting the Ducal Palace in Gandia, delve into its history, and provide you with plenty of facts, information, and fascinating titbits about it.

Ducal Palace of Gandia access and sightseeing

Gandia, like most seaside cities in this part of Spain, is besieged by thousands of tourists from all over the world, especially during the summer months. Therefore, typical problems associated with crowds and congestion occur here. This is especially evident when you try to drive to Gandia and comfortably park in the city centre. Often, this can be very frustrating and troublesome, sometimes even impossible.

Therefore, I suggest leaving your car in one of the numerous car parks scattered around the city and taking a stroll to the centre or using public transportation. We visited Gandia at the end of October and parked our car in an underground car park in the city centre, but even then, finding a spot wasn’t easy.

Parking issues are not the only trouble you might encounter when arriving at such a popular tourist destination. Landmarks, museums, or restaurants are almost constantly crowded, and the Ducal Palace of Gandia is no exception. Therefore, I propose purchasing tickets online in advance. Queues at the ticket office can be long, and only a limited number of tourists can enter the palace at the same time.

The Ducal Palace of Gandia is located in the heart of the city on the banks of the short, only 75 kilometres long, Serpis River in the historic part of Gandia. Next to it, you’ll find the famous L’Alella Verda, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, and the Town Hall. The palace adjoins the city walls, offering a beautiful view of the river and the surrounding lands from its spacious terrace.

Entering through the palace gate, you’ll see a spacious courtyard surrounded by walls and buildings. Straight ahead of the gate are wide and impressive stairs leading to palace rooms such as the Salón de Coronas and the Galería Dorada. Although the palace doesn’t have many exhibits, the charm of its interiors makes up for these shortcomings. However, before you climb the stairs, you’ll need to buy a ticket at the ticket office cleverly hidden in one of the nooks under the stairs (unless you’ve purchased it online in advance).

Inside the palace, you can see extraordinary spaces and beautiful rooms diverse in styles that served the local royalty for centuries. Pay attention to the room called the Gallery of gold, done in Baroque style with all its splendour, and the beautifully decorated Salón de Coronas. These rooms were the most representative parts of the house and hosted official meetings with the most important guests visiting the palace.

Initially, the monument served as a comfortable civilian palace, but over time, after the addition of defensive and military elements, it was transformed into an urban fortress. The military elements of the palace are still visible today, giving it a unique character. An interesting way to visit the palace is on a night tour, during which you’ll stroll through candlelit rooms and dark dungeons.

Ducal Palace of Gandia and the history of the monument

The Ducal Palace of Gandia served as the royal residence of Gandia as early as the 14th century. In 1485, this beautiful estate and its surrounding gardens were handed over to the influential Borja family, an Italian lineage originating from Spain.

The Borja family reached the peak of their power when its members occupied the papal throne in Rome. Pope Calixtus III and the infamous Alexander VI are remembered in history as heads of the church accused of the most heinous crimes. They were accused of adultery, incest, nepotism, as well as embezzlement of church property and fraud during papal elections. Alexander VI was proven to have assassinated political opponents using elaborate, homemade poisons.

Due to their immense abuses and unrestrained lust for power, the Borja family became estranged from almost all wealthy families in Italy. Consequently, part of the family immigrated to Spain, where they used their amassed fortune to acquire numerous estates, including the Ducal Palace of Gandia, which we are discussing today.

Duke of Gandia (Ducal Palace of Gandia) is a title of Spanish nobility created in 1399 for Alfonso of Aragon. After the extinction of the family, this title began to pass to subsequent ruling families, and finally to the Borja family.

The oldest part of the palace dates back to the 15th century and was constructed in the Valencian Gothic style. This style emerged in the Kingdom of Valencia when European Gothic was declining and transitioning smoothly into the Renaissance. It’s a blend of Gothic architecture with details and ornaments characteristic of the Valencia coast, which you’ll have the opportunity to see when visiting nearby churches and monasteries.

The valuable historic interiors of the palace have been meticulously restored and transformed into a sanctuary by the Society of Jesus. The entire palace adjoins the former city walls, with a Gothic gate leading to it, which in the past allowed leaving the city without exiting the property. The second gate is Renaissance in style and opens onto the city.

The Ducal Palace of Gandia was listed as a valuable monument in 1964 and is currently under complete protection, considered an important historical heritage of the Valencia region.

Practical information useful when visiting the palace

• The Ducal Palace of Gandia can be explored either independently or with a guide. Personally, I recommend using the audio guide option, which will lead you through the beautiful interiors at your pace.
• You can visit the palace as part of a larger group, but it’s advisable to inform them beforehand.
• Very often, thematic events are organized in the palace, during which staff dress up as historical figures and enact various scenes. Be sure to check the official palace website.
• During historical events, you’ll have the opportunity to meet characters such as Francisco de Borja, Duchess Maria Enríquez, and the infamous, demonized Pope Alexander VI.
• The palace is open to visitors every day:
  • Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00.
  • On Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00, with the last entry possible until 12:00.
• Ticket prices start from around 6 euros, but they may be slightly higher when additional attractions are organized in the palace.
• The Ducal Palace of Gandia is a very valuable monument, so tourists must remember a few rules while visiting:
  • Smoking is prohibited throughout the palace.
  • Food and drinks are not allowed inside the palace.
  • Touching anything is forbidden, and sitting on furniture can result in a hefty fine.
  • Children must be under constant supervision, and running, shouting, or disturbing other visitors in any way is not allowed.
  • Photography inside the palace using a flash is not permitted.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the palace.
• If you’ve purchased your ticket online, you must present it at the ticket office or to the ticket inspector.
• Visiting the palace can be combined with other attractions in the city, such as the collegiate church and monastery.
• If you’d like to organize a larger event in the palace, it’s possible. Can you imagine having a wedding in such a place?

Other monuments and attractions in Gandia

Apart from the Prince’s Palace in Gandia, you should also see:

• The Gothic Basilica with the Collegiate Church, which is the main church in the city, and its construction began in the 14th century.
• The Santa Clara Monastery is a 15th-century monument located near the Collegiate Church.
• The Archaeological Museum is a centre where objects representing the historical heritage of the Gandia area are exhibited. The museum is interesting and worth visiting; we enjoyed it.
• The Sant Jeroni de Cotalba Monastery is a monastery building in the Valencian Gothic style, located a few kilometres from the centre of Gandia.
• The Borja Family Trail is a route that passes through places associated with the Borja family.

Of course, these are just some monuments and attractions of Gandia that we visited. I’m sure you’ll find many more fascinating places and stories to tell us.

Ducal Palace of Gandia information and interesting facts

• The Borja family, former owners of the Ducal Palace of Gandia, still exist today. Representatives of the family line descended from Juan Borja reside in Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico.
• Former President of Ecuador Rodrigo Borja Cevallos hails from the Borja family.
• Saint Francis Borgia (Francisco de Borja y Aragón) was born in Gandia and lived in the Ducal Palace of Gandia for a period of his life.
• Members of the Borja family liked to present themselves as almost saints, but as is often the case in such situations, they were not necessarily so.
• The Ducal Palace of Gandia dates back to the 14th century, or at least its oldest part does.
• Initially, the palace had a secular purpose, but during periods of unrest and numerous wars, it was reconstructed, adding military and defensive elements.
• Today, the palace is a very intriguing museum that can be visited almost every day throughout the year.

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