Canals is the birthplace of the Borja family, later known as the Borgias, who rose from this small Valencian town to dominate Renaissance Rome. The Torre dels Borja — a medieval tower in the center of town — marks the family's origins. It can be visited on special days; check at the ayuntamiento.
The town has basic services — bars, shops, a pharmacy. After Canals, the camino begins climbing into the mountains separating Valencia from the Castilian meseta. The flat coastal walking is over.
The Borja family originated here before rising to become one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Europe. Alfons de Borja became Pope Callixtus III in 1455, and his nephew Rodrigo became Pope Alexander VI in 1492 — the pope famous for his political machinations, patronage of the arts, and infamous personal life. The family name was Italianized to Borgia, and their legacy, for better and worse, shaped European history.
