Torrent (in Valencian and officially) or Torrente is a municipality of the Horta Oest Comarca and a suburb of Valencia. Torrent is located 9 km from Valencia, at the foot of the Vedat de Torrent hill, 15 km from the sea.
According to the most recent census (2017), the city has about 80.630 inhabitants (about 11% are foreigners). It is the most populous municipality in the province of Valencia after the capital itself and the sixth in the Valencian Community.
Torrentis bordered by the municipalities of Aldaia, Alaquàs and Xirivella in the north, Picanya and Catarroja in the east, Alcàsser and Picassent in the south, and Montserrat, Godeleta, Turís and Xiva in the west.
One fifth of the municipality’s territory is occupied by mountains, but they are not high. The main peaks of Torrent are El Vedat (142 m), Morredondo (157 m), Barrett (142 m), Cabezo de la Araña (228 m) and the Serra Perenxisa. The municipality is crossed by the Barranco de Torrente gorge.
Weather and climate of Torrent
Torrent has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and scorching summers. The average annual air temperature is 18 °C, in winter – 10-12 °C, in summer – 27 °C. It rains very rarely here, and snow falls about twice every ten years (except some of the higher elevations).
Torrent’s history
It is unknown for certain where the name of the city came from. Some scientists assume that it has its origins in Latin: there are two words in Latin with a similar root. The first is Turritus (high, fortified), the second is Torrens (rapid, swift).
The first recorded mention of the city goes back to1232, in a document of Jaime I. Here the city was called «Vilas de Torrent». The name Torrent was official until 1860, when, under a royal decree, all municipalities had to change their names to the Spanish (Castilian) manner. From this moment on, the city was officially called Torrente.However, in 1979 the city got its original official name back – Torrent.
Officially, the city foundation dates to the era of the Reconquista, although various archaeological structures have been found here, as well as artefacts related to earlier epochs. They indicate that people have lived throughout the territory of modern Torrent since the Bronze Age.
The ruins of Iberian settlements have been discovered here, such as Llometa del Clot de Bailón. During the Roman era, numerous manors were built on this territory. From the 8-th Century, Muslims have become the lords of these lands, leaving an important mark on the city’s appearance: narrow streets, squares, and many dead ends.
Torrent was founded in 1248, ten years after the conquest of Valencia by Jaime I. The king offered these lands to Don Hugo de Folcalquier, a member of the Order of Malta, in order to enlist his support in the war to conquer Valencia.
At the end of the conquest, in 1232, Jaime I signed a document on a donation of these lands to the Order of Malta. Among others, Cullera, Silja, Montreu and Macastre were transferred into the possession of the Order. In 1238, the Order officially took possession of the lands and decided to settle them with Christians by handling them houses and lands. The city belonged to the Order until 1807.
In the 17th century, a square was built up next to the Virgendel Rosario chapel. The chapel itself was destroyed in 1868.
In 1846, Torrent became the headquarters of the judicial district.
In 1810 – 1850, the Alter zone was built up, the streets of San José, Santa Bárbara, San Onofre, Santa Lucía, Virgen de los Desamparados, Santa Teresa, etc. appeared.
In 1893 a railway station was opened in Torrent. It becomes a part of the railway line connecting Valencia with Villanueva de Castellón.
The first cinema hall, Cine Cervantes, was opened on 22 November 1911.
Infrastructure and transport of Torrent
Torrent is connected to Valencia, Madrid and other cities in Spain by a network of roads and highways, with AP-7/E-15 being prime amongst them.
In 2009, the Pont Blau bridge project was completed, connecting the downtown with the Mas del Jutge industrial area. In the same year, the «Ronda del Safranar» – a bypass road was launched that allowed to move from one end of the city to another without passing through the centre.
The city has a train station operated by MetroValencia. It plays a mayor role in transport services between Torrent and Valencia. There are several Metrobús stops in the city.
Metro lines: 1, 2, 7 (yellow, pink, orange), trains come every 7 minutes, there is 15 minutes by metro to the centre of Valencia.
Torrent also has its own line of city buses – Torrent Bus, circulating on 6 regular routes. The line was launched in 2002.
Those who prefer environmentally friendly modes of transport have at their disposal a bicycle rental network – Torrent Bici. To use this service, one must register at the city hall.
In the city is also located the university – Universidad Catolica de Torrent.
For those who like a more active leisure, there is a large sport complex in Torrent – Complejo deportivo municipal «La Cotxera». Those who are not indifferent to shopping will find a lot of interesting at the main street of the city: there are many boutiques here.
Schools in Torrent
Public Schools
C.E.I.P. Antonio Machado
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: Azorín, 13 – 46900 Torrent (Valencia)
Centro Público de Educación de Personas Adultas de Torrent
- Educational cycles: school for adults
- Address: Pz San Pascual 20 – 46900 Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. El Molí
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: ClGranerers 6 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Federico Mmaicas
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: ClSimancas 1 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Juan Xxiii
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: PdL´alter 31 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Les Terretes
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: CL CONSTITUCIÓN 55, 46900 – Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Lope de Vega
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: Cl Doctor Francisco Rosello 25 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Miguel Hernández
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: C l Constitucion S/n – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. San Juan Bautista
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: Cl San Juan Bautista 22 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Virgen del Rosario
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: Cl Gabriela Mistral 4 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
C.E.I.P. Sant Pasqual
- Educational cycles: Infantil (Segundo Ciclo), Primaria
- Address: Cl Padre Mendez 149 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
IES Serra Perenxisa
- Educational cycles: Secundaria, Bachillerato
- Address: Cl Corona D´arago 1 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
IES Tirant Lo Blanc
- Educational cycles: Secundaria, Bachillerato
- Address: Cl Fray Luis Amigo 41 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
IES Veles E Vents
- Educational cycles: Secundaria, Bachillerato
- Address: Cm De Los Cantaros S / n – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
IES La Marxadella
- Educational cycles: Secundaria, Bachillerato
- Address: Cl Padre Méndez 151 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
Semi-public educational institution in Torrent
The college«El Vedat»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, Educación Especial.
- Address: Cl Camino Del Realón 19 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college«La Purísima»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, Educación Especial.
- Address: PzDelsMoralets 16 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college «Madre Sacramento»
- Education Cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, Formación Profesional (FP)
- Address: Av Al Vedat 188 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college «María Auxiliadora»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, Educación Especial.
- Address: Pz Dominical 6 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college« Nuestra Señora Del Monte Sión»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, Educación Especial.
- Address: Av Padre Prudencio Palmera 10 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college «San José y Santa Ana»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Educación Especial.
- Address: Cl Maestro Giner 20 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The college «Santo Tomás De Aquino»
- Education cycles: Infantil, Primaria.
- Address: Cm Reial 120 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
Private educational institution in Torrent
The language school «Beta Formación»
- Address: C \ Tirant Lo Blanc 26 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
Special schools in Torrent
The college «La Encarnación»
- Educational cycles: special education
- Address: C\Padre Méndez 153 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
The municipal school «La Unión»
Educational cycles: special education
Address: C\Caseta De La Capa 38 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia)
Music and dance schools in Torrent
The music school Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Torrent
- Address: ClMestre Juan RoigSoler – 46900Torrent (Valencia)
The school of music and dance «Círculo Católico de Torrent»
- Address: Pz San Jaime 12 – 46900, Torrent (Valencia).
Attractions of Torrent
- The church Iglesia de San Luis Beltrán.
- The church Iglesia de la Asunción de Torrent.
- The monastery Monasterio de la Inmaculada.
- The chapel Ermita de San Vicente del Mas del Jutge.
- Torrent’s castle tower Torre del Castillo de Torrent.
- The house of Chalé Giner-Cortina.
- The park L’Hort de Trènor (Huerto de Trénor).
- The monument of Cruz de Pere Mora.
- The building in Valencian modernism style El Liceo.
- Arabian aqueducts Arquets de Dalt and Arquets de Baix.
- The regional museum L’Horta Sud.
- The village and cemetery Carrasquera.
- The Optical Telegraphy Tower at Vedat de Torrent.
- The street market of Torrent.
- The natural park Paraje Natural Municipal de la Sierra Perenchiza.
The Sierra PerenchizaNatural Park received its current status in 2006. The park area is over 174 hectares. This is a favorite place of Torrent’s residents for walks and outdoor sports. There are many routes of varying degrees of complexity throughout its territory. In addition, interesting historical monuments and archaeological excavations can be found here.
As for the fauna in the park, one can find lizards and small snakes, rabbits, hares, foxes, hedgehogs, wild boars, field mice, as well as bats.
Real estate in Torrent
According to the Idealista portal for October 2020, the average cost per square meter of real estate in Torrent on the secondary market was 1095 euros.
The most expensive district of the city is Zona Parc Central-Hort de Trenor – 1651 euro/ sq.m. In descending order,this is followed by Zona Avenida Alta-Auditorio (1602), Zona El Vedat-Santa Apolonia (1270), Zona Mas de la Montañeta (1267), Zona Avenida al Vedat (1126), Zona Camí Reial (1058), Zona Monte Real-Calicanto (956), Zona el Molí (891), Zona Calle Valencia-La Ermita (798), Zona Casco Antiguo (780), Zona Poble Nou (719).
The largest supply of apartments falls on Zona Avenida al Vedat, Zona Parc Central-Hort de Trenor, Zona Calle Valencia-La Ermita, and houses – on Zona El Vedat-Santa Apolonia and Zona Monte Real-Calicanto.
Those who are interested in new buildings: attention should be drawn to the areas of Zona Parc Central-Hort de Trenor, Zona Avenida Alta-Auditorio, Zona Avenida al Vedat – these are just the most expensive areas of the city, but prices for new buildings in Torrent are much more affordable than in Valencia (on average 1696 per square meter). Besides, there is really plenty to select from: Torrent has many modern residential complexes with excellent internal infrastructure. A good example is the Torrent Homes residential complex under construction next to the Torrent Central Park. An apartment in a new building in Torrent can be purchased from 140.000 euros.
Advantages and disadvantages for living in Torrente
Advantages:
- A cozy and green city with excellent infrastructure.
- A wide selection of real estate for every taste and budget.
- There is a metro: only 15 min from the city centre of Valencia.
- There is a bus service.
- There are many schools: public, semi-public, private, music and dance school, special schools, etc.
- A large selection of new buildings at prices cheaper than those in Valencia.
Disadvantages:
- There are several underprivileged areas.
- Distance from the sea.
If you are interested in the city of Torrent and purchasing real estate here, welcome to our catalog.
