King Philip III granted thetitle of city to the town of Dénia on 4th April 1612. The proceedings were carried out by the 5th Marquis of Dénia, Diego Gómez de Sandoval, known as the Duke of Lerma, who was very close to the king.
Being a ‘city’ was a great privilege that only five towns in the Kingdom of València had at that time: València, Xàtiva, Orihuela, Segorbe and Alicante.
The title of city meant an important distinction for Dénia, which has preserved throughout the centuries.
