Description
Information about the family history and the coat of arms
Family history
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Family history Duque de Gandía
The Dukes of Gandía – Glories between the Crown and the Coast
The history of Gandía begins long before the famous name Borja. In 1323 King James II transferred the rule to his son, Infante Pedro. Later it passed to Alfonso of Aragon, called „the Old“. King Martin I elevated him to the title of Duke of Gandía in 1399. Alfonso had the ducal palace extended and made his court a meeting place for poets and advisors. Thus the landscape of the Safor region early acquired a courtly stage.
After returning to the crown, a new chapter began in 1485. The Catholic kings handed Gandía over to the Borja family. Cardinal Rodrigo de Borja, later Pope Alexander VI, acquired the duchy for his son Pedro Luis. After his early death, his brother Juan succeeded him. His wife María Enríquez skillfully continued the rule: she managed finances and property, promoted foundations, and strengthened Gandía’s economic and cultural influence.
The most famous representative of the family was Francisco de Borja, the fourth duke. As a courtier of Charles V and viceroy of Catalonia, he knew politics up close and personal. In Gandía, he founded a university in 1547, which is considered the first university of the Jesuit order. In 1551, he handed over titles and possessions to his son Carlos, became a priest and later general superior of the Jesuits. His beatification in 1671 permanently linked the name Gandía to European religious and educational history.
Over the generations, the Borja-Centelles further shaped the city, agriculture, and palace. Since 1520, the title of Duke included the Grandeza de España. When the direct royal line ended in 1740, the succession through related houses led to the Pimentel family and eventually to the large estate of Benavente-Osuna. Today, the Ducal Palace, precious archives, and the landscape of Gandías tell the story of a family that transformed a Valencian residence into a widely-renowned memorial site.
Sources: Historical Archive of the Nobility, Royal Academy of History, Ducal Palace of the Borja, PARES
Coat of arms & Heraldry
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Family coat of arms Duque de Gandía
The coat of arms is associated with the Duchy of Gandía during the era of the House of Borja. It is based on the ancestral arms of the Borja dynasty, the most famous representative of which was Francisco de Borja, the fourth Duke of Gandía.
In gold, a roaring red ox on green ground; in red borders, eight golden containers made of thistle branches. Above the shield is a Spanish crown of kings.
The Duchy of Gandía came into the possession of the Borja family in 1485. Among the Dukes, Gandía became an important court and cultural center of Valencia; the family name is particularly known through Rodrigo de Borja and the later saintly Francisco de Borja.
Sources: Armoria, „Heráldica del apellido Borja“, Palace of the Dukes of Borja, Royal Academy of History, Historical Archive of the Nobility/PARES
Overview of your title package
What the title of nobility contains
Discover the fascination of historical noble titles. With each appointment, you receive a first-class package that perfectly combines tradition, personal recognition, and stylish representation:
Your certificate
Authentic design with a historic flair: For each region, we create a certificate of appointment in the distinctive, country-specific style – complete with the appropriate coat of arms of your chosen title.
Share this special moment: Upon request, you will receive a free partner certificate and certificates for your children, so that the whole family can participate in the tradition.
Your own coat of arms
Each title comes with the corresponding historical coat of arms, which you receive as a high-resolution file. You can use it completely freely in private and professional contexts – whether on letterhead, business cards, or seals.
The Companion Book
The book „My Title“ takes you in detail into the multifaceted world of your new aristocratic title and offers valuable practical tips for everyday life, stylish guidance, and background information on history.
Our accessories
Golden ID Card
Crafted from premium aluminum in business card format, the gold ID Card makes your title look stylish and mobile.
Gold coins
Fine gold and silver-plated medallions combine coats of arms, names and titles in a glossy, unique design.
Emblem stamp
The self-inking stamp quickly, cleanly and precisely transfers your personal emblem onto letterhead paper.
My own wine
Choose fine red or white wine with an elegant, personalized label for a stylish look.
Wappen Gläser
The masterfully engraved wine glasses display their coat of arms, name and title in stunning brilliance.
Precision pliers
The elegant embossing pliers embellishes letterheads or documents with a tactile, colourless relief embossing.
Honorary membership
Membership of the Noble Society Institute enriches your title with another dimension of exclusive representation. Validated by a magnificent certificate in your name, with no ongoing fees or obligations.
