El Puig de Santa Maria Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

El Puig de Santa Maria

El Puig with its two wooded hills and the monastery in the centre

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of El Puig in Horta Nord.

El Puig de Santa Maria

Location in Spain

Country

Spain

Comarca

Horta Nord

Judicial district

Massamagrell

Area

• Total

26.8 km² (10.3 sq mi)

Elevation

50 m (160 ft)

Population

(2018)

• Total

8,566

• Density

319.6/km² (827.8/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Pugenc, pugenca

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

46540

Official language(s)

Valencian

El Puig (Valencian pronunciation: [el ˈputʃ]), officially known as El Puig de Santa Maria since 2012, is a village in Spain. It is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of the city of Valencia. The name "El Puig" means "hill" in the local Valencian language.

This municipality has three main parts. First, there is the village itself, which is famous for its large monastery. Next to the village are two big wooded hills. The largest hill has the ruins of an old castle fortress at its top. There used to be another hill called La Pedrera (meaning "the Stone Quarry"). It disappeared over time to make way for a motorway, and its rock was used to build parts of Valencia's port.

The second part of El Puig is its beautiful coast. It has 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of beaches with eight housing areas. These areas are usually busy only during the summer months. The third part is an industrial park located between the village and the coast.

El Puig is easy to get to. It has direct access to the V-21 motorway, which connects Valencia to Barcelona. It is also close to the A-7 Valencia bypass. For public transport, there is a local train service every half hour to Valencia and Castellón de la Plana. An hourly bus service also connects the village to Valencia, passing by El Puig beach.

What is the Economy of El Puig Like?
What is the History of El Puig?
What are the Local Festivals?
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What is the Economy of El Puig Like?

For a long time, El Puig's economy was mostly based on farming. However, it is now slowly changing towards industry, especially the metal industry.

Farming and Crops

Farmers in El Puig raise cattle, poultry (like chickens), and pigs. They also grow crops such as corn. But the most important crop, and the main source of income, is oranges. These oranges are grown and then sent to other places.

Industry and Businesses

The industrial area of El Puig has many different types of factories. You can find factories that make sheet metal products, process food, and produce wood items. There is also a company that makes beer and ionized water. Many other businesses related to trade and services are also found here.

Tourism and Future Growth

The fishing industry in El Puig has ended. However, its beaches are now very popular in the summer. Many people come to stay in the residential areas near the coast.

There are plans for new housing in El Puig. One area north of the village will have about 1,200 new homes. A new secondary school has already been built there. Another large development is planned near the beaches. This project includes 6,255 houses and apartments around a golf course. Even though permission was given in 2009, construction has not yet started.

What is the History of El Puig?

People believe that El Puig has been lived in since very ancient times, even before history was written down. The first written record mentions a Muslim fortress on a hill called "montaña la pata" (which means "foot mountain").

Conquests and Legends

El Cid, a famous Spanish warrior, conquered El Puig in 1093 on his way to take Valencia. However, the Muslims briefly took it back.

El Puig became a very important place for the people of Valencia when James I of Aragon conquered it for good in 1237. This happened during the Battle of the Puig. A legend explains why the largest hill was called "foot mountain." It says that when James I reached the top of the hill with his horse, they saw the city of Valencia in the distance. The horse got so excited that it stood on its back legs and brought its front feet down with such force that water sprang from the ground. One of its horseshoes even got stuck in the hill!

The Virgin of El Puig

A special symbol of the reconquest (when Christians took back land from the Moors) is the Virgin of El Puig. This is an image of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, James I saw this image, and it helped the Christians defeat the Moors and retake Valencia. Because of this, James I declared this image of the Virgin Mary as the patron saint of the new Kingdom of Valencia. During this time, El Puig was known as the spiritual capital of the kingdom.

Changes in Ownership

In 1240, El Puig was given to a person named Arnau de Cardona. Later, in 1340, Peter IV of Aragon gave it to Pedro de Jérica. Then, in 1353, it went to Nicolau Janvila. Finally, in 1385, the king sold El Puig to Pedro de Centelles. El Puig became separate from La Pobla de Farnals in 1608. The last people who owned the land were the Marquess of Belgium and the Municipality of Valencia.

What are the Local Festivals?

El Puig celebrates many exciting festivals throughout the year.

January: The last weekend of January is the festival of Peter Nolasco. He was the founder of a religious group called the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
February: On the second Sunday of February, people celebrate the festival of Saint Anthony. He is the patron saint of animals.
March: The famous fire festival "Las Fallas" takes place from March 14 to 19.
June: On the evening of June 23, people celebrate the fires of Saint Joan. Bonfires and firework displays are held on the beaches.
August: The San Roque Festival is officially held between August 15 and 17. However, celebrations often last for the entire month. These celebrations usually include street parties and traditional bull runs in the village streets.
September: On the first Sunday and Monday of September, the people of El Puig celebrate the festival of the Virgin. This includes street processions where an image of the Virgin of Puig is carried.
October: Valencian Community Day is celebrated on October 9.