Dangerous waters: Valencia and the Turia floods of the 16th century

Abstract

The paper focuses on the most serious Turia floods of the 16th century, when the Kingdom of Valencia was integrated into the Habsburg Empire. There are two main sections, apart from the introduction and conclusion. The first addresses the history and functions of the body tasked with monitoring the river and the related infrastructure: the Il·lustre Junta de Murs i Valls (‘Illustrious Council for Walls and Ditches’, hereafter the Junta). This medieval body underwent a major transformation at the end of the 16th century when increased rainfall heightened the risk of flooding in Valencia . The second section examines the most serious floods of that century, events that led to lively debate across Valencian society.