Historical Overview

FIRST INHABITANTS

The earliest known human settlements in the Benavites area date back to the Roman period. The lands of the Segó Valley belonged to the ager saguntinum and were cultivated by the Iberian-Roman population, who, following Roman tradition, organized agricultural land into exploitation units around villas.

Between the 5th and 7th centuries, this Iberian-Roman territory suffered invasions from barbarian tribes (Alans, Vandals, Goths, and Visigoths).

THE MUSLIM ERA

Later, in the 8th century, with the Muslim invasion, this territory became known as Morbyter, a name that replaced Saguntum and led to the current name of the region "El Camp de Morvedre". During this time, the area was inhabited by small Muslim hamlets, of which no remains have been found, probably the origin of the current populations in the valley.

THE RECONQUEST

In 1233, with the Reconquista, James I granted the jurisdiction of Benavites to his porter, Bernat de Matoses, who later had all his property confiscated for being disloyal to the king.

In a document dated 1394, the jurisdiction was recorded in the name of Bernat Vives de Canemàs, who acquired it through purchase. It later passed into the hands of the Valencia Council, which would later sell it to the Crown.

In the 15th century, it again became a feudal estate, belonging to the counts of Almenara and Cocentaina, who probably ordered the construction of the Lordship Tower.

In 1437, the king’s lieutenant Rodrigo Roiç de Corella was the owner of the lordship of Benavites and part of Quartell, which he later passed on to his son Eximen.

THE MARQUISATE OF BENAVITES

In 1619, the area was sold to Pere Eixarch de Bellvís, administrator of the Count of Cocentaina, becoming a county in 1624 and a marquisate in 1628.

In 1723, the marquise Francesca Maria de Bellvís i Bellvís was the owner of the lordship of Benavites, which in 1752 passed into the hands of the marquis Josep Bellvís i Montcada, who united it with the lordship of Bélgida, and it remained with this family until the abolition of feudal rights in 1814.

ANNEXATION OF BENICALAF

During the 19th century, several neighboring places were added to the municipality, with the annexation of Benicalaf in 1856 being particularly notable. This led to various conflicts with Faura and Benifairó de les Valls, due to the division of water rights from the Fuente.