The growth of the raisin trade in Modern Xàbia

MODERN XÀBIA.

At the end of the Spanish war, our town started trading raisins with other

countries. Great Britain, the USA or Canada wanted our raisins and that

attracted lots of steamed ships to the port of Xàbia.

In the “riuraus” the villagers dried the grapes to make raisins. An extension of the town was planed so the exportation

of raisins was easier.

The riuraus are rectangular buildings made of standstone with a semi-circular arch and fan shaped

window panes. Their purpose was to shelter the grapes laid out to dry on the “cañizos”. One of our

biggest “riuraus” is “Riurau dels Català d’Arnauda”.

The riuraus:

The first picture is Xàbia’s Iberian treasure.The second one is the church fortress of St. Bertomeu. The third is the harbour.The fourth is a typical “Riurau”.The fifth are our 14th-17th century windmills.And the sixth picture is the beach.