Origins
A tradition gives the settlement a Roman origin in 201 BC. After the Islamic period it consisted of four farmsteads.
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History of Xilxes
Xilxes (Chilches) is a town in the Plana Baixa formed by the union of old farmsteads. It was a royal town from 1297 and the head of its own barony from 1306.
Conquest and barony
James I conquered it in 1238 and in 1239 sold it to Jaime Pérez de Daroca. In 1256 it was sacked and burned by rebels from the Espadán mountains. On 14 June 1297 a Royal Pragmatic declared it a royal town and on 13 February 1306 another created the barony of Chilches.
Early modern period
In 1583 it was devastated by Barbary pirates. On 18 January 1625 the image of the Cristo de la Junquera was found, the origin of its cult, and at the end of the 17th century work began on the parish church.
Timeline
- 1238
- Conquered by James I.
- 1256
- Sacked by rebels from the Espadán mountains.
- 14 June 1297
- Declared a royal town.
- 13 February 1306
- Barony of Chilches created.
- 1583
- Barbary pirate attack.
- 18 January 1625
- Cristo de la Junquera found.
Text written by Zona Zero TV from public sources; early dates vary between authors. Sources: Chilches (Hispanopedia, basado en Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Checked on 1/11/2026.