Find out about Denia's rich past

Denia: Divine, valuable and splendid

EVER wondered about the story that lurks behind our region, and how people lived in past centuries? It's fascinating stuff, and a far cry from boring history lessons at school. Mainly because it's still all around us – street names, building names, even town names in some cases are a nod to Spain's and the Comunidad Valenciana's rich past (in both senses, in some cases) and the story that led up to where they are today.

If you're in the Dénia area, you'll at least know a little about the famous raisin trade – the Moscatel grapes that become deliciously sickly-sweet wine were dried out and sold to the UK, and practically every raisin consumed in Britain in the 19th and early 20th centuries came from in or near Dénia; the Marina Alta district capital had more British residents then than it does now, they were mostly very wealthy thanks to the industry, although the majority were forced to flee as refugees when the Civil War broke out.

But there may be a gap in your knowledge between when Dénia was Daniyya, a thriving port city under Arab rule, and the golden age of dried fruit.

Six centuries of history and powerful rulers

Dénia Divina, Valencia Valiosa, España Espléndida is a two-volume book, originally written in Russian but translated into several languages, in which George W Grishin tells the tale of his adopted town and wider region. And the author himself has planned a talk which gives a tantalising overview of the contents.

Learn about the reconquest of the Kingdom of Valencia (1229-1246) and the end of the Enlightenment – a time of intriguing revolution in art, literature and philosophy – upon the death of King Carlos III in 1788, plus everything in between.

The 'in between' includes the lives and times of some major players in shaping Dénia and the Valencia region – Captain Carroz and King Jaime I, during the reconquest of Dénia in 1244; Commander Palau and the siege during the Germanías rebellion in 1521; the Marquise of Dénia, a ruler even bigger than the King, and the Duke of Lerma, at the time of the exile of the Moors in 1609; and Valencian War of Succession hero Juan Bautista Basset and his proclamation of Archduke Carlos as King of Valencia in 1705.

Then there's the Peninsular War of 1808 to 1814, which finished a year early in Dénia (find out why at the presentation).

George – who moved to Dénia in 2012 with wife Katherina and their four daughters after nine years of regular visits from their London home – has also compiled his own detailed map of Dénia castle based upon his historical research, and will show you how and where people lived inside it.

He has managed to combine his passion for history with a well-travelled life – George owns an international insurance brokerage which operates in 18 countries.

Pop along to the 'La Ñ' Salón Cultural at number 7, C/ Cavallers (ring the bell for door 2) tomorrow Saturday, February 15 at 19.00 to find out more.