Escuelas Pías (Old University)

The Old University or Escuelas Pías, in Renaissance style, was the seat of the first Jesuit university in the world, founded by the then Duke of Gandia, Francisco de Borja, in 1546, becoming an important training center.

After the expulsion of the Jesuits, in 1767, the University entered a period of decline that culminated in its disappearance.

During the following decades the building was used for carrying out various activities until, in 1806, the Gandia City Council ceded it to the Piarist fathers to open a school, which exists today.

On the main façade there are five statues of members of the Borja family.