History of Moncofa

From the Romans to the 13th century

In Roman times it was a place of passage beside the Via Augusta, in marshland. The Chronicle of James I says the site of the rápita was called Mácofa in Muslim times. The charter was granted in Onda castle to Bernat Mestre and 37 more settlers, under the customs of Barcelona; the document dates from late December 1253 or 1254.

Late Middle Ages and early modern period

Between 1330 and 1340 the wall was built under Peter IV. In autumn 1423 the image of Santa María Magdalena arrived on the beach. In 1609 the Moriscos were expelled from the Grao. The parish church was raised in 1698 on top of one from 1329 and finished in 1796.

20th century

Fishing was important until the first half of the 20th century. In 1936 the village was almost destroyed in the Civil War, and in April and May 1939 the beach was used as a concentration camp with at least 3,500 Republican prisoners. Between 1941 and 1944 the church, the hermitage and other buildings were rebuilt.

Timeline

1253-1254

Founding charter of Moncofa.

1330-1340

Wall built.

1423

Image of Santa María Magdalena arrives.

1609

Expulsion of the Moriscos.

1936

Village destroyed in the Civil War.

1939

Concentration camp on the beach.