la Nucia

History

Originally an alquería (Islamic agricultural settlement), the territory was conquered by the Christians and donated by King James I of Aragon to Beltrán de Bellpuig in 1271. At the beginning of the 17th century, the demographic landscape of the area was severely impacted by the expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609. During this period, La Nucía formed part of the Barony of Polop and belonged to Alfonso Fajardo, Baron of Polop, who was tied to the noble house of the Marquis of los Vélez. After a process of repopulation and demographic recovery, La Nucía officially became an independent municipality on July 9, 1705, when it split from the Barony of Polop. Following its new independent status, the parish church dedicated to La Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception) was constructed throughout the 18th century to serve the growing population.