L’Horta Sud

Introduction

The physical space constitutes the medium where human beings develop their existence. As the historian and former director of the Museu Comarcal de l’Horta Sud, Adrià Bessó, states in the book “Mirades sobre l’Horta Sud,” the succession of human communities belonging to different cultures over centuries within the same space brings diverse ways of understanding the territory, coexistence among people, and culture.

Many of these elements have endured over centuries, reaching the present. This has been the case with Horta Sud, where, since Roman times, the different civilizations that inhabited the regional space have left their marks, contributing to the traits that define the personality of this Valencian region.

History of Horta Sud

Origin and Configuration of Horta Sud

In the past, the region known as l’Horta de València included the regions of Horta Nord and Horta Sud. However, due to population growth, the territorial division of the three current regions of Horta: Horta Nord, València Ciutat, and Horta Sud, was established. The division of the former region into three areas corresponds to the classification made by Professor Eugenio Burriel in 1971, in his book La huerta de Valencia: zona sur. Estudio de geografía agraria, where the Turia River marked the hypothetical border between the north and the south.

The Horta Sud region is, therefore, of modern creation, encompassing part of the former region of Ribera Baixa and part of the historical Horta de València. These ancient regions were included in the map of Valencian regions by Emili Beüt in “Natural Regions of the Kingdom of Valencia,” published in 1934. However, if we can date the birth of Horta Sud, it would be in 1982, when it acquired administrative and cultural dimension under the leadership of democratic municipalities and civil society, specifically by the Instituto de Estudios Comarcales (IDECO) of Horta Sud and the Intermunicipal Commonwealth of Horta Sud. These two bodies, created with the aim of articulating intermunicipal relations—both at the cultural and political levels—defined their territorial scope of action, which already included the 20 municipalities of the region.

Disputes Between Horta Sud and València Ciutat

Looking further back in time, the history of Horta Sud has always been closely associated with that of València Ciutat. Relations between the two regions date back to the 19th century, where a power struggle began to form for the expansion of the capital and the resistance of the municipal autonomy of the 20 villages that make up the Horta Sud region.

Thus, between 1870 and 1900, València Ciutat annexed 19 surrounding villages such as Patraix, Russafa, Beniferri, Benicalap, El Palmar, Campanar, or Carpesa. All of them eventually became peripheral neighborhoods or districts of the city and today complain about the lack or limited provision of services.

The second expansion movement of the city of València occurred during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, around 1929. The regime’s government approved, at València’s request, a decree annexing 13 more municipalities of Horta within a four-kilometer radius from the Trànsits road. Northern Horta towns like Paterna, Burjassot, or Alboraia, and Southern Horta towns like Quart de Poblet, Sedaví, or Alfafar, were included in the plan. However, strong opposition from the municipalities forced the decision to be revoked.

Finally, during Francoism, and continuing the struggle between València city and the two Horta regions, the conflict became institutionalized. In 1946, the Corporación Gran Valencia was created to manage the urban planning of the capital and 27 villages in Horta. This organization ultimately served the urban interests of València Ciutat and subjected the region to the capital’s development agenda. However, the Corporación Gran Valencia disappeared in 1983 due to pressure from democratic mayors, although it left a legacy of chaotic and disorderly urbanism. Local newspapers like L’Horta and 7 Dies de la Comarca echoed this urban disaster at the beginning of the 1980s, resulting from this entity born under Francoist dictatorship.

A few years later, in 1986, the Metropolitan Council of Horta (CMH) was created, which had some competences such as waste management, the integral water cycle, urban planning, and transportation. It was, ultimately, the only serious attempt to articulate the Metropolitan Area of València, although it also failed. This was mainly due to the reduction of its power, especially by the approval of the Normas de Coordinación Metropolitana and the elimination of transportation and urban planning competences in 1995, effectively stripping the Council of its content. Thus, in 1999, the Valencian Government dissolved the CMH, creating two metropolitan entities (one for water and another for waste), also devoid of content and controlled by the València City Council. As a result, we find a reinforcement of municipal fragmentation and the distrust frontier between the region and the Valencian capital.

Consequences of the Lack of Regional Planning

Gradually, we reach the current situation at the beginning of the 21st century. The absence of a Supra-Municipal Coordination Body in critical areas such as urban planning and environmental management means that decisions in these areas are made by the Valencian Government or the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, thus omitting the principle of subsidiarity, where the entity closest to the problem is best suited to resolve it.

The current Valencian scenario requires territorial structuring based on the enhancement of the regions, capable of generating synergies among municipalities. In the case of Horta Sud, there is an inevitable need to implement an integrated planning model between València and the region. The study L’Horta Sud en el Horizonte del año 2015 points out some ideas through a SWOT analysis of the region. This document is essential to understand the current reality of Horta Sud and anticipate potential future scenarios.

Demographics

Municipalities

The Horta Sud region comprises a total of 20 municipalities: Alaquàs, Albal, Alcàsser, Aldaia, Alfafar, Benetússer, Beniparrell, Catarroja, Lloc Nou de la Corona, Manises, Massanassa, Mislata, Paiporta, Picanya, Picassent, Quart de Poblet, Sedaví, Silla, Torrent, and Xirivella.

Economy and Population

Horta Sud, as we know it today in terms of industry and services, began to take shape around 1960. From that decade onward, the region accelerated its transition from a primarily agricultural society to one predominantly industrial and service-oriented. This transition led to spectacular urban growth in the municipalities of Horta Sud, accompanied by a significant industrial and demographic change, largely driven by immigration from Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura. However, this was a disorganized urban growth that resulted in the creation of marginalized working-class neighborhoods in some municipalities. The unplanned transformations experienced during this period have significantly influenced current urban and environmental challenges.

Industrial and urban growth has been accompanied by a decline in agriculture. The active agricultural population working in the fields in 1960 was 45%, while today it is below 3%. Contributing factors include the low profitability of small-scale farming, the regression of traditional horticulture, and the conversion of citrus farming into virtually a monoculture in the region, with rice cultivation limited to Albufera.

In terms of demographic potential, Horta Sud is the second most populous region with 454,668 inhabitants and the most industrialized in the Valencian territory. It is one of the key economic drivers of the Valencian economy.

The business activity is diverse and dynamic. Traditionally, the region has been known for small, family-run businesses, mostly in furniture production. However, in recent years, large commercial centers have proliferated in Alfafar, Sedaví, Xirivella, and Aldaia, as well as distribution companies and others related to new technologies, many of which are linked to large multinational corporations.

In terms of cooperative economics, Horta Sud is considered the cradle of Valencian cooperativism. It gained significant momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, with examples like the Cooperativa de Viviendas Populares, the Escola Florida in Catarroja, COINSER, la Nostra Escola Comarcal in Picassent, or Consum, which opened its first store in Alaquàs in 1976.

Culture

The Horta Sud region boasts a long history and a rich cultural heritage. The region features 13 museum collections and 8 recognized museums, including the Castell d’Alaquàs, the Rajoleria in Paiporta, the Fan Museum in Aldaia, the Ceramics Museum in Manises, the Comarcal Museum of Horta Sud in Torrent, the History and Archaeology Museum of Silla, and the History Museum of Benetússer.

The region also includes 71 buildings declared as Local Relevance Heritage Sites, 14 declared as Cultural Interest Heritage Sites (BIC), and 85 archaeological sites, as well as a national monument, the Castell d’Alaquàs.

#SomHortaSud

#SomHortaSud is a joint campaign by the Horta Sud Foundation and the Intermunicipal Commonwealth of Horta Sud that highlights the artistic and cultural heritage of the 20 municipalities that make up the region. This campaign aims to promote regional identity and raise awareness of some of the most representative buildings in the region.

Virginia Mínguez, a Valencian illustrator, has created the illustrations through her brushes and colors. She captured the architectural richness of 20 Horta Sud buildings, including: Castell d’Alaquàs (Alaquàs), Cinema Rivelles (Albal), Municipal Market (Alcàsser), Fan Museum (Aldaia), Municipal Library (Alfafar), Molí-Fàbrica Arrossera de Sant Josep (Benetússer), Parish Church of Santa Bárbara (Beniparrell), Municipal Market (Catarroja), Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Llocnou de la Corona), L’Art Building (Manises), Town Hall (Massanassa), Covered Cross (Mislata), Rajoleria Museum (Paiporta), Library and Study Center (Picanya), Torre d’Espioca (Picassent), The Casino (Quart de Poblet), Town Hall (Sedaví), The Port (Silla), Torrent Tower (Torrent), and Municipal Market (Xirivella). Illustrations were also made of the buildings of the Intermunicipal Commonwealth of Horta Sud and the Comarcal Museum of Horta Sud, both located in Torrent.

Associative Movement: The Strength of Community Organization in the Region

The associative network in Horta Sud has significant potential. According to the Evaluation Study on the Impact of Associations in Horta Sud, published by the Horta Sud Foundation in 2017, the annual number of specific activities carried out by associations in the region amounts to 16,312, averaging around 800 specific activities per municipality, with an average of 106 participants per activity. Additionally, weekly recurring activities organized in the municipalities of the region total 18,603, averaging over 900 recurring activities per municipality, with an average of 25 participants per activity.

As the figures show, the associative movement manages and drives much of the socio-cultural activity in Horta Sud municipalities. It organizes various extracurricular, social, sports, cultural, educational, musical, and youth activities.

Furthermore, the associative movement generates significant revenue. According to the study, total revenue exceeds €60 million. Of this, 36% comes from subsidies, 21% from member fees, 14% from donations, 13% from private sponsorships, 13% from their own services, and 3% from exploiting their own resources. Therefore, this analysis confirms that the associative movement triples each euro of public funding it receives.

In total, there are over 2,000 associations in Horta Sud, more than 200,000 members (nearly 40% of the region’s total population); almost 22,000 volunteers who perform 2,750 hours of weekly work per municipality; and 3,451 jobs created, along with 800 specific activities per municipality annually. The total revenue of €60 million multiplies each euro of public investment threefold.

Public Administration and Politics in Horta Sud

Currently, the only supra-municipal entity with a representative character in Horta Sud is the Intermunicipal Commonwealth of Horta Sud. It is responsible for the organization and provision of joint works, services, and activities within its competence, as well as the management, promotion, and exercise of the objectives entrusted by the municipalities that comprise it, to achieve common supra-municipal interests.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth supports various initiatives aimed at promoting civic development, democratic governance, and new methods to combat all forms of discrimination, fostering a space for both women and men to facilitate social transformation through knowledge, and advocating for women’s prominence in contemporary society.

The Horta Sud Anthem

Since 2011, the region has had its own anthem thanks to an initiative promoted by the Agrupació Musical Els Majors de l’Horta Sud in collaboration with the Commonwealth.

Indeed, belonging to the Horta Sud region is not just a geographical matter. Being part of it means sharing similar aspirations, concerns, and common needs.

The anthem Comarca l’Horta Sud was officially presented in March 2011 during a solidarity concert organized by the Federation of Musical Societies of the Valencian Community in the Horta Sud region, benefiting Haiti. The event was attended by mayors, music band federations from the province of Valencia, and musical groups from the region’s twenty municipalities. The anthem’s lyrics were written by Hilari Gascó Melguizo, and the music, composed by Vicente Ramón Tarazona Pons, has become part of the musical repertoire performed by groups in the region:

Institutions of the Region

The institutional history confirms the reality of the Horta Sud region. Many entities have been established over the years. Some with significant trajectories include:

1. The first entity with this territorial scope is the Horta Sud Foundation, established in 1972, focusing on the socio-community development of the region. Its objective is to strengthen the associative movement, essential for creating a more just society committed to human rights and democratic values, working for progress through the diversity of its people.
2. The Intermunicipal Commonwealth of Horta Sud also plays a fundamental role in the region’s structuring. It was founded in 1982 by the 20 municipalities of the region.
3. The 1980s also saw the establishment of the Institute of Regional Studies of Horta Sud (IDECO) in 1982, as a response to the need for a cultural institution in the region.
4. In 1999, the Coordinadora pel Valencià pròpia de l’Horta Sud was founded under the name Guaix, a collective that is part of Escola Valenciana and currently attracts more than 20,000 people to its regional gathering of Valencian language schools.
5. Other historic entities in the region include the Horta Sud Business Forum, the Horta Sud Falles Regional Coordinator, the Regional Federation of Music Bands, Parent-Teacher Associations, Scouts, Youth Centers, Neighborhood Associations, Per l’Horta, Heritage Entities Network, and more.

Capital of Horta Sud

Torrent, with more than 80,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the region and the second-largest city in Horta Sud by area, following Picassent, which spans 69.2 km².

The capital is located on the periphery of the region, which has historically influenced it by adopting traits from neighboring regions. While the population center lies on the coastal plain, traditionally dedicated to horticultural farming, most of the land extends towards the drylands of the west, bordering Ribera Alta and Foia de Bunyol.

Torrent is also home to numerous archaeological sites. The name originates from the Roman word torrens, referring to the stream passing through the urban center, which evolved into the current name, Torrent.

Today, the capital of Horta Sud, like other towns in the region, continues to face the consequences of the mismatch between its road network and the significant urban growth experienced, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. This growth was primarily driven by immigrants from the interior regions of Valencia and other underprivileged areas of Spain, attracted by the high demand for jobs created by industrial development.

In Torrent, iconic places include Mas del Jutge, the Comarcal Museum of Horta Sud “Josep Ferrís March” and headquarters of the Horta Sud Foundation, the Islamic Tower, the Assumption Parish Church, the Serra Perenxisa, and the Auditorium.

Places of Interest

Apart from the iconic buildings already mentioned in the Culture section, two additional landmarks stand out:

Comarcal Museum

The Comarcal Museum of Horta Sud “Josep Ferrís March” is a center for the conservation, dissemination, research, and exhibition of the cultural heritage of the Horta Sud region. For more information, click here.

Albufera

The Albufera in Silla features a typical port, free of concrete additions. From this town in the region, visitors can take boat trips or walk along green corridors that provide a glimpse of the area’s historical character. Perhaps the Albufera is the greatest heritage asset of Horta Sud, and sometimes we are unaware of its importance.

It is a port found on the outskirts of Silla that is currently very popular due to the variety of leisure activities available and the strolls enjoyed by the local community.

The port retains some old infrastructures such as the wooden bridge, the house and warehouse, the motor, and some boats that serve as decorations, although most are privately owned and used for excursions or fishing in the Albufera.

Currently, the port of Silla hosts numerous leisure activities, some of which are linked to the Saladar Sports Club, built in 1973, or to canoeing.