House of Gandía
“Borgia Sancta”
Origin: Dukes of Gandía, the saintly branch of the Borja
While the Borja Borgia of Rome were notorious for scandal, their Valencian branch in Gandía produced St. Francis Borgia, the "Holy Duke," who renounced his title to join the Jesuits.\n\nThe family controlled the prosperous sugar cane plantations and silk production of the Valencian coast. Their palace in Gandía is now a cultural center.\n\nFrancis Borgia became the third Superior General of the Jesuits, transforming the order into the most powerful educational force in the Catholic world.