Alqueria del Duc

Alqueria del Duc is a fortified 14th-century farmhouse standing in the wetlands of the Marjal de Gandia, within the municipality of Gandia, surrounded by orange groves and close to Bairén Castle. Also known as Alquería de Don Alonso, it is one of the most distinctive historic buildings in the area around the city.

Where does the name come from?

The estate is closely tied to the Borja family, Dukes of Gandia. In 1590, Alonso de Borja, the youngest son of Duke Francisco de Borja, purchased the property and converted it into a manor farmhouse and summer retreat for the ducal family. Before that, the farmhouse served as a watch post: its location along a route frequently raided by pirates and Berber corsairs meant the building had a military purpose from the very beginning, not just an agricultural one.

What will you see on site?

The building follows a square floor plan around a central courtyard, with two storeys topped by the region's typical Arabic tile roof resting on wooden beams. The ground floor housed stables, granaries and storage rooms, while the upper floor was reserved for the ducal family, containing a salon, a chapel and living quarters. Defensive features still visible today include corner towers projecting from the upper level, along with loopholes and small openings on the ground floor — remnants of the building's original watchtower function.

Right next to the farmhouse stands an archaeological site of an ancient early Christian necropolis, along with the Aula Natura Marjal de Gandia interpretation centre, which introduces visitors to the surrounding wetland ecosystem. Because of its historical and architectural value, Alqueria del Duc has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's protected cultural heritage status.

How do you get there?

Alqueria del Duc sits within the Gandia municipality, in the middle of the Marjal de Gandia wetlands and orange orchards, near the site known as Fuente de Montaner and Bairén Castle. It makes a good stop on a walking or cycling route linking several of the region's natural and historical attractions.

Can you visit the inside?

The building currently operates as a tourism training centre for the Generalitat Valenciana, so the interior is not open for casual visits. On weekends, however, guided tours run between 10:00 and 14:00 without prior booking. The farmhouse also hosts the Literary Creation Space of Gandia, offering residencies to writers and journalists who want to work on their projects while getting to know the local gastronomy, nature and culture.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the wetland and orchard setting, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons to explore the area, offering milder temperatures than the height of summer. Plan your visit for a weekend to take advantage of the free guided tour.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alqueria del Duc? A fortified 14th-century farmhouse, once the summer residence of the Dukes of Gandia from the Borja family, now recognised as a protected cultural heritage site.

Can you go inside? Yes, but only through free guided tours held on weekends between 10:00 and 14:00, with no reservation required.

Why does the building have towers and loopholes? It originally served as a defensive watch post against pirate and Berber raids, before being converted into a Borja family residence.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The adjacent archaeological site of an early Christian necropolis and the Aula Natura Marjal de Gandia interpretation centre, dedicated to the local wetland environment.