Discover the great men and women of the Region of Valencia

The Region of Valencia is the birthplace of countless great men and women. In this post, we thought we’d put together a small selection of just some of the names that have made a lasting impact so that you can see our destinations from a whole new perspective. 

The great men and women of Alicante

Many great men and women boasting a wide range of different talents were born in the province of Alicante. Others moved here later in life and we are proud to call them honorary citizens. Let’s start our exploration of the province in Alcoy with the great writer Isabel Clara Simó, the historian, writer and politician Carmen Llorca Vilaplana and the late Camilo Sesto. 

The incredible dancer and choreographer Antonio Gades was born in Elda while the Michelin starred chef Kiko Moya was born in Cocentaina. And although Quique Dacosta wasn’t born in the Region of Valencia, we’d like to include him on our list as he has brought international renown to Dénia. 

The city of Alicante is the birthplace of Olympic medallists including Kiko Sánchez for sailing and Isabel Fernández for judo. The actor Ana Milán was also born in the city and Belén Rueda spent her childhood here. 

To close this section, we would like to mention three literary greats, one of whom was born in Orihuela. Yes, we’re talking about Miguel Hernández. But we also want to mention Gabriel Miró and the great playwright Carlos Arniches, both of whom were born in Alicante. 

The great men and women of Castellón

As we list the many great men and women born in the province of Castellón, we are going to have to take different jumps back in time. The first is to the year 1562 in Viver where the great historian, theologian and head of studies Francisco Diago was born. 

Back in the present-day we are heading to Vila-real, a town that is proud of Dolores Cortés whose swimwear designs have taken the spirit of the Mediterranean to the most international of fashion shows. Vilavella, meanwhile, is the birthplace of Manuel Vicent, the author of Tranvía a la Malvarrosa and a very talented journalist. 

Last but by no means least, we’d like to give a shout-out to Miguel Ángel Silvestre, a renowned actor famed around the world, and Matilde Salvador i Segarra, a painter and composer, both of whom are from Castelló de la Plana. 

The great men and women of Valencia

And now onto the great men and women born in the province of Valencia. To start, we would like to mention the master Joaquín Rodrigo, an exceptional composer from Sagunto, and the impressionist painter Ignacio Pinazo from Godella. 

Paterna is proud to be the birthplace of the excellent actor Antonio Ferrandis while Aielo de Malferit was the home to renowned singer Nino Bravo and his beautiful Mediterranean voice. 

Xàtiva is the birthplace of the great 17th century painter José de Ribera who created works such as El martirio de San Esteban. More recently, the town saw the birth of the singer Bruno Lomas, who was one of Spain’s first rock artists. 

In València city, we would like to mention gynecologist, scientist and activist Concepción Aleixandre, the talented actor Lola Gaos and her brother the poet Vicente Gaos.  

And then there is Doña Concha Piquer who sung on international stages, Joaquín Sorolla, Mariano Benlliure and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. Not to mention the women who broke societal norms such as 16th century printer Jerònima Galés and nun and poet Isabel de Villena. Get your map out and create your very own itinerary to explore the places where these greats were born.