Xirivella () is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

in the

Valencian Community The Valencian Community is an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain. It is the fourth most populous Spanish Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community after Andalusia, Catalonia and the Community of Madrid wit ...

, Spain. It borders the city of Valencia, Alaquàs, Picanya and

Mislata Mislata (; ) is a city in the Valencian Community, Spain. It has borders with the city of Valencia and Quart de Poblet in the west and Xirivella in the south. Demographics In recent decades it has gone from being a village in the Horta region ...

. The municipality is divided by the V-30 motorway and the river Turia, with the La Luz district on the eastern part of the river. Since June 2012, a bridge across the motorway has connected both parts. Local issues include

noise pollution Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise or sound with potential harmful effects on humans and animals. The source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transport and propagation systems.Senate Publi ...

, caused by the nearby

Valencia Airport Valencia Airport (, ) , also known as ''Manises Airport'', is the tenth-busiest Spain, Spanish airport in terms of passengers and second in the Valencian Community after Alicante Airport, Alicante. It is situated west of the city of Valencia, i ...

Transport

It is connected to central Valencia by bus routes. The town's railway stations Xirivella-L'Alter and Xirivella-Alqueries have been inactive since April 2020 and January 2021 when service was suspended during the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

and both stations are expected to be dismantled. Metro links exist in the nearby town of

. The proposed Line 14 of

Metrovalencia Metrovalencia is an urban rail including rapid transit and trams, serving Valencia and its metropolitan area. The network is a modern amalgamation of former FEVE narrow gauge electric-operated suburban railways. It is a large suburban network ...

is due to link the town to the rest of the metro network after 2030.

Toponymy

The name Xirivella may come from the Latin word Silvella (little forest).

History

Archeological remains have been found in Xirivella dating since Roman times. During the Middle Ages the area was inhabited by farmers that cultivated the land. The silk industry also developed during this period. Xirivella had a population of 29,409 inhabitants in 2014.

Sister cities

Xirivella has town twinned with Casas de Benítez in Cuenca province (Spain), the Dunavarsány city of Hungary and the city of Habana Vieja in Cuba.

Cultural heritage

Xirivella has an interesting cultural heritage. The old city maintains the urbanism from the Arabic era. This is a list of the main historical buildings: - Virgen de la Salud Church (Església de la Verge de la Salut): The only parish until 1953. It was built at the end of the 17th century. - Virgen de la Salud Chapel (Ermita de la Verge de la Salut) - La Closa: 14th century building. It was restored in 2003. - Dau House: 14th century building. It was the place where taxes could be paid. - Tithe House (Casa del Delme): 14th century house, but it was demolished around 2000. - Alquería del Castillo (Alqueria del Castell): It has also been demolished. It was located on the site of a Roman villa.

Cultural life

Xirivella has a very active cultural life. There are several cultural associations that include the wind orchestra (banda) called CIM Xirivella, the choir (Escola Coral Andarella), the International Clowns Festival (Mostra Internacional de Pallassos), the music school, the Culture House where are held concerts, shows, exhibitions, and a theater. Xirivella also organize the Xirivella Award, a recognition to honor its outstanding citizens. Banda del CIM y Escuela Coral Andarella de Xirivella

Banda del CIM y Escuela Coral Andarella de Xirivella

Local politics

The municipality had been governed by the

Spanish Socialist Workers Party The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party ( , PSOE ) is a social democratic Updated as required.The PSOE is described as a social-democratic party by numerous sources: * * * * political party in Spain. The PSOE has been in government longer tha ...

since the 1970s, either alone or with the support of United Left. However at the 2011 local elections, the People's Party won a majority of seats for the first time.

Summary of council election results

Source:Xirivella local results, pre.gva.es
accessed 2 January 2011

References

{{authority control Municipalities in the Province of Valencia Horta Oest