Viver

Not to be confused withViber,the instant messaging app.

For the village Viver in Berguedà, Catalonia, seeViver i Serrateix.

Viver
Town
Skyline of Viver
Coat of arms
Viver Location of Viver within Spain
Coordinates:39°55′15″N0°35′43″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Valencian Community
Founded	193 BC
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Body	Ayuntamiento de Viver
•Mayor	María Nieves Simón Campos(PSOE)
Area
• Total	44.9 km2(17.3 sq mi)
Elevation	559 m (1,834 ft)
Population (2018)
• Total	1,538
• Density	34/km2(89/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Viverense viverense(es)
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code	12460
Area code	+34 (ES) + 964 (CS)
Patron Saints	Francis of Paola Michael (archangel)
Website	www.viver.es

Viveris a town in theCastellónprovince ofValencian Community,Spain. It is in thecomarca(region) ofAlto Palancia.

Geography

The municipality has an area of 49.9 square kilometres (19.3 sq mi). It is crossed by theriver Palancia,and an area in the south is part of the Calderona mountain range. However, no part of the municipality is in theSierra Calderona National Park.

The town centre is located at a height of 559 metres (1,834 ft), on a rockypromontoryalong the San Roque Mountain. The population has settled in the opposite direction, staggered along the slope of the hill.

A view of Viver

Districts and pedanías

In the municipality of Viver, there are four population centres:

• Viver
• Masías de Ragudo
• Masías de Parrela
• Masías del Cristo
• Masías del Rio

Bordering localities

Surrounding Viver are:Teresa,Torás,Barracas,Pina de Montalgrao,Benafer,Jérica,all localities in the province of Castellón.

History

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1900	2,479	—
1910	2,742	+10.6%
1920	2,497	−8.9%
1930	1,949	−21.9%
1940	2,071	+6.3%
1950	3,005	+45.1%
1960	2,248	−25.2%
1970	2,056	−8.5%
1981	1,683	−18.1%
1991	1,205	−28.4%
2000	1,297	+7.6%
2006	1,511	+16.5%
2007	1,611	+6.6%

There is evidence of human settlements during thepaleolithicperiod in the cave ofEl Sargal.

The first historical data documented for Viver is that the RomanMarco Poncio Catónfounded this locality, with the name ofBelsino,in 193 BC. Later, he changed the name toVivarium,from which the present name was derived.

Around 1237–1239, KingJaime Iconquered Viver from the Arabs. On 24 April 1244, the King granted to the population the title of"Real Villa"(royal estate), and 12 April 1367 the Puebla Letter is granted to him by Juan Alonso, Sire ofJérica.

Later, this villa was given back to the King and finally sold to theDuke of Calabria,Virrey ofValencia,in 1537. The Duke died on 26 October 1550, bequeathing his estate to themonasteryofSan Miguel of Reyesin Valencia,(which was founded by him), and the monks took possession of Viver.

During theSpanish Civil War,Viver underwent serious deterioration. In 1945, the Parochial Church was recovered, and many of the houses were reconstructed.

Administration

The current mayor is Patricio Gómez Gómez of the Socialist Party of Valencian Country, part of theSpanish Socialist Workers' Party.He was elected to office in 2011.

Viver's Town Hall

Economy

Traditionally, the viverense economy has been based mainly in the primary sector, theagricultural,stressing thevine,but as a result of the scourge ofphylloxerain the late 19th century, thealmondandolivehad become more important. Destacable is the production ofolivesof high quality. Lately, rural tourism has been growing, through the construction of several farmhouses.

Transport

The simplest access route by road is via the Sagunto to Somportautopista A-23.The town is 69 km (43 mi) fromValencia,70 km (43 mi) fromCastellón de la Plana,40 km (25 mi) fromSagunto,and 70 km fromTeruel.

The town can be accessed by rail with a station (Jérica-Viver) at 2 km (1.2 mi). The town is on theC-5 del núcleo de cercanías de Valencia Valencia-Caudielthat connects Valencia and Castellón de la Plana.

Festivals

• Ride Reyes.Celebrated January 5. The "Reyes Magos" come in carriages, and there is a parade by the main place. At the end of the ride, every child attending events is given a gift in the hall of the House of Culture.
• Saint Anthony.It is held on the Saturday and Sunday following January 17. On Saturday, horse racing is held in theNatural Place de la Floresta,and at night, there is averbena(dance party). On Sunday morning, mass is celebrated in honor of Tong Anton, which blesses animals in the main square and distributes a roll of San Anton to participants. In the evening, there are popular games at the Plaza Vieja.
• Carnival.Celebrated the last week of February. Everyone in disguise conducts a parade through the streets of the town. And then there is a verbena or discomóvil. Everyone wearing disguises gains free admission.
• Fallas.The following takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 19 March
• San Francisco de Paula.These festivities are held on Friday and Sunday in the second week of Passover.In that bonfire of burning, the Holy Masses and processions are held in honor of San Francisco, and rice is distributed from the traditional Holy vendecido by Cura del pueblo. This rice has been distributed for years, when the monks of the monastery of San Francisco de Paula celebrated the holiday.
• Feast of the Olive.It is generally held in June, in the Parque de La Floresta. At this fair, there are more than 50 exhibitors, among these exhibitors are shops of the people and cultural associations of the people. This fair is organized by the Exmo. City Hall and the Olive Cooperativa de Viver, also has a number of sponsors.
• August Feasttakes place over the month of August. The first week is presented for the queen of the festivities and to her court of honor. The night of August 15 is forSaint Roquein which he performs at 00:00, with averbena(party), and people often spend the night without sleep; at 7:00 in the church square, reeds are split and handkerchiefs and people rise in romeria until Ermita de San Roque; there is a mass in honor of San Roque, and a blessed roll is distributed at the end. The penultimate week of August is celebrated as a one-weektaurine.
• Festivitiesare held between September and October, in honor of St. Michael the Archangel and the Virgin de Gracia.

External links

• Media related toViverat Wikimedia Commons