There are different theories that explain the origin of the name "Ondara", but the one that appears with the most basis is that of Manuel Sanchis Guarner: the toponym (place name) would come from "Ondar", an Iberian word that means "sandy area".
The prehistory
The earliest remains of human settlements near Ondara date from the Paleolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iberian periods. Moving forward in the HistorySeveral Roman villas have appeared very close to the town center of Ondara, in addition to honorary and funerary inscriptions in the old town itself.
Islamic era
In the Muslim era, Ondara becomes relevant. There was a castle that occupied the upper part of the town, of which the Clock Tower remains. In 1012 he became part of the Taifa of Dénia. Arab domination led to the implementation of irrigation systems in Ondara, which are still preserved today.
There are documents that prove that the Cid spent time in the castle of Ondara, between 1090 and 1091, from where he besieged the king of Dénia.
The Reconquest and the Middle Ages
With the conquest of Jaume I the first Christian settlers arrived. Ondara was an unstable territory, with a predominantly Muslim population. At this time, the municipality belonged first to Berenguer de Palau, archbishop of Barcelona, then to Pere d'Aragó, son of King Jaume II, and later to the lineage of the Cardona, Catalan nobles.
The modern age
At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, Ondara was the scene of some battles of the war of the Germanies. In 1609, with the expulsion of the Moors, Ondara suffered a great depopulation. The repopulation was carried out with people from other towns in the region and from the Balearic Islands.
In the seventeenth century, Ondara actively participated in the War of Succession, which had consequences after the defeat of Archduke Carlos: Ondara was burned and looted by Bourbon troops.
In the 19th century, raisin cultivation brought importance to Ondara: the town grew and its population increased. But this splendor ended with phylloxera, which devastated the industry. economy local and sent to many ondarencs to emigration, especially to Algeria and Argentina.
