pinned.events

Beyond its use as a seasoning, saffron was prized for its fragrance, its dyeing properties, and its therapeutic qualities. Unlike spices such as pepper or cinnamon, which came to Europe from distant regions like India or Indonesia along the Silk Road, Spanish saffron followed the reverse route during the XIX and XX centuries, moving from west to east. The trade was centered in places such as Novelda, which became commercial hubs for a product grown in parts of Castilla-La Mancha and exported to India, China, the Philippines, Japan, and the Americas. Saffron was also cultivated and sold in Valencia, as shown by the existence of a saffron exchange in the city, although the activity declined over time. Today, Novelda still has companies dedicated to trading this spice across much of the world, a history presented in the exhibition through documents and photographs. The show also includes various objects linked to saffron commerce, especially the many boxes and containers used to ship the product to different destinations. These were produced by merchants in Novelda, who adapted motifs and decoration to each country of destination to improve sales. The tin and Hindu iconography