Valencia's main square. Valencia squares

Ranks third in terms of population after the Spanish capital Madrid and. Even in ancient times, these lands were known for their advantageous geographical location, which attracted the constant gaze of many empires to Valencia.

Now it is a famous Mediterranean resort with stunning architecture. This region is distinguished by a very mild climate, as well as beautiful beaches, which attracts many tourists here all year round. up to the present day keeps well-known monuments of architecture and art.

History

For five centuries in a row, the lands of the Valencia region were owned by Muslims. Arabs made up a third of the population. However, to this day from them there are not so many traces preserved as, for example, in Andalusia.
From the sources of ancient history it is known that it was the Arabs who were extremely inventive in agriculture. When they were expelled from these territories, the lands of Valencia began to decline, passed to the Aragonese crown and became the capital of the kingdom of the same name. These times were marked by the strong development of the region, which reached its peak by the 16th century. During this period, the magnificent buildings of the Palace, Cathedral, as well as the Silk Exchange and the City Assembly were built in Valencia. became very influential in the Mediterranean, dabout 1865 it was surrounded by monumental fortification walls, of which now only the main towers remain. They have hardly survived to this day. Only the gates of the fortifications Torros de Quarte and Torros de Serrano reached us XV century Streets , especially some of them - very narrow and picturesque - keep the memory of the distant Middle Ages.

Valencia landmarks

Valencia, Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (La Catedral de Valencia) XIII-XIV centuries in the Gothic style is symbolic for Valencia. It is located in the quarters of the old city on the St. Virgin's Square. Once upon a time it was the center of public life, where important meetings were held. The building was rebuilt several times. The Catalan Cathedral Basilica is made in a mixed style: there is a Romanesque
style, French Gothic, Renaissance, Classicism and the unchanging Baroque style. It was decided to design the main entrance exactly in this style, and the former old entrance - in the Gothic style. The old Gothic facade of the Cathedral of Valencia depicts the starry sky, the 12 apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cathedral buildingValencia was founded on the site of an ancient Arab mosque. Some historical facts also indicate that it was on this place that the Roman temple of Diana was located. It was originally planned to dedicate the Cathedral to Saint Salvador, but after the Reconquista it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. CathedralValencia notable for the fact that the works of Goya, Celini, Borja, as well as many other works of art of the Valencia school of painting of the 15th-17th centuries are kept here. In the chapel of Santo Calis rests a chalice that is considered the Holy Grail. The bowl is made of green agate and decorated with precious stones and pearls. It is kept in a chest made by the Italian master Giuliano Poggibonsi. According to legend, it was from this cup that Jesus communed his disciples at the Last Supper.

La Catedral de Valencia


Valencia, Plaza de la Virgen - the oldest and most beautiful in. In ancient times, the Roman Forum was founded here, between the two tributaries of the Turia River. The central part of the square and its original symbol is a fountain. The main figure depicts Turia surrounded by seven mythical maidens, symbolizing the seven channels of the river. The Valencia Fountain is also famous for the fact that many come here to feed the pigeons.
Since Roman times, this ancient square of irregular shape has been the main one, then Ayuntamento square took the lead. However, it is the Square of the Holy Virgin that has survived as the center of social life in the city of Valencia. , this is where wedding ceremonies are best observed. Nearby are the Basilica de los Virgen, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Valencia Government Palace, built in a mixed Gothic and Renaissance style. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby.

Valencia, Belfry of Miguelete (Torre del Miguelete) - Gothic bell tower of Valencia of the XIV century, the construction of which lasted 4 centuries in a row. The tower is built on an octagonal base, the perimeter of the bell tower is 50 meters. During a long and difficult period of its construction, several architects were involved: Jose Franch, Pedro Balaguer, Martin Llobet and others. The bell tower of the city of Valencia acquired its finished form only in 1736. The top of the tower, where the observation deck is located, offers a wonderful view of the city's surroundingsValencia and sea. The tower of Valencia owes its name to the Miguel bell weighing 10 tons, which was cast in 1532. The bell was consecrated on the day of St. Miguel. The Miguelete Bell Tower is designed in 4 equal parts. In the first part of the tower there is a spiral staircase of 207 steps, the second part was used as a shelter, the third part of the tower with two windows is the "dwelling of bells", and in the fourth there is a bell hall. The top of the bell tower offers a stunning view of the landscape of the city of Valencia.
Torre del Miguelete
Calle de la Barchilla 1, 46003

Valencia, Modern architectural scientific and entertainment ensemble "Gthe genus of Art and Science "(Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies)which later became the symbol, was founded in 1991 on the site of the dried up bed of the Turia River. The very idea of \u200b\u200bimplementing such an idea appeared back in 1989. The project of the Valencia Science Museum had to exceed all expectations with its grand scale and innovativeideas. Two famous architects worked on the project: Santiago Calatrave and Felix Candele, who began construction of the museum in 1994. Now it is the main attraction of modern Valencia. The architectural complex consists of five separate buildings: Hemisphere (L "Hemisferic) - the earliest building designed in the shape of an eye. It houses a planetarium, an IMAX cinema and a laser theater. "Hemisphere" was opened in April 1998. The building is notable for its size and dome, allowing for huge 3D projections. The area of \u200b\u200bthe "Hemisphere" is 14,000 m2. The building is surrounded by a pool of 24,000 m2.

The second building of the complex -L "Umbracle.There is a botanical garden and an open-air gallery of sculptures by famous contemporary masters.

The Reina Sofia Theater (El Palau de las Arts Reina Sofia) is an opera house and stage for theatrical performances.

Prince Philippe Science Museum (El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felippe)resembles the skeleton of a whale and is located on three floors of 40,000 m2.
In the City of Arts and Sciences, there is the El Puente del "Assut de l" Or bridge, which connects the southern part of Valencia with the street of Menorca. The highest point of the city is located on this street - a column with a height of 125 meters.

Oceanographic Museum of Valencia (L "Oceanografic) - with the largest open-air oceanographic aquarium in all of Europe. The museum is designed in the shape of a water lily flower. Building area40,000 m2 was opened in 2000.

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies,
Avenida Autopista del Saler 7, 46013

Valencia, North Station Building (Estacion del Norte) - this is one of the most famous architectural monuments in. The station was built in 1906-1917. on the latest technologies at that time. The structure of the station tent is made of metal. The style is European modern. Thanks to this style, the station building stands out quite clearly against the background of other buildings with its straight lines. Elements of the facade decor are, first of all, multi-colored mosaics.
Estacion del Norte,
Calle de Alicante, 46004

Valencia, Turia Gardens (El Jardin del Turia) is a park designed in the bed of the river of the same name, which once flowed in the very center and flows into the sea. This is the largest park in Spain, located on an area of \u200b\u200b110 hectares. In 1957, the river partially flooded the city, and after almost three decades it was decided to take it outside Valencia to the south. In 1986, on the site of the river, a park known throughout Europe was opened with rich vegetation, flower beds and paths. The Turia Gardens cut across Valencia from the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences to the Bioparc. It is noteworthy that Biopark is a corner of wild nature, created in a modern city in such a way that the wild exotic animals living here do not feel constrained at all: there are no usual cages and fences.
El Jardin del Turia,
Plaza del Ayuntamiento 13, 46002

Valencia, Central Market (El Mercado Cantral de la Ciudad de Valencia) - one of the most populous places in. The market building was built in the Art Nouveau style with an area of \u200b\u200b8160 m2. However, it is rather difficult to define a building by one style: several styles were used in construction. The architects who conceived the project are Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler. The market is located between the market square and the Silk Exchange building (La Lonja de la Seda). The building of the Valencia market was built over 18 years: from 1910 to 1928. on the site of two old residential buildings. The market consists of two main parts: an octagonal part where the fish market is located (1400 m2), and an irregular polygon (6760 m2) that represents the rest. The 7,690 m2 basement now houses an impressive car park. The halls of the market building are designed in the form of intersecting streets, each of which is named accordingly. The market is impressive with a multitude of shops where food is prepared from the freshest and exotic products, meat and fish of various varieties that you will not find in traditional stores. Fish and seafood are especially delicious here. It is noteworthy that the building is now about 90 years old. Since 2004, little by little renovation has been carried out here, and the market does not stop working for a day.
El Mercado Cantral de la Ciudad de Valencia
Plaza del Mercado 6, 46001

Valencia, Gulliver Amusement Park belongs to the "Turia Riverbed" project and has been opened since 1990. The park's design was thought out by the architect Rafael River and the artist Manolo Martina Sento. From a height, the park takes the form of a man lying on the ground. As you might guess, this is Gulliver, consisting of ladders, ropes, tunnels, ramps, slides, benches and other all kinds of attractions for children, and the children themselves, according to the architect's idea, play the role of midgets.
Parque Gulliver,
Puente del Reino, 46023

Valencia, Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda)- built in 1482-1548.The building is designed in the late Gothic style.The main attraction of the exchange is the grandiose Sala de Contratation hall with large windows, decorated with marble of various colors and shades.

The ceiling height of the hall is 17 m, and its area is 700 m2. It is noteworthy that in 1996 La Lonja de la Seda was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once upon a time, oil and other small goods were traded here.
However, over time, silk began to flourish here.
La Lonja de la Seda,
Plaza del Mercado 30, 46001

Valencia, Corrida Arena ( Corridas de Toros)- a huge colosseum 17 m high and 52 m in diameter, where spectacular bullfights are held to this day, was built in the 19th century: in the years 1850-1860. There is also a bullfighting museum. The arena was designed by the architect Sebastian Monleon Estelles and resembles the Colosseum in Rome and the Roman Amphitheater. This is the main arena in the city, where traditional bullfighting has been held for 150 years in a row. It also hosts concerts and performances.

Corridas de Toros, Calle Xativa 28, 46004

Valencia, Quarte Towers (Torres de Quart) - the city gates of Valencia in the 15th century - one of the few surviving fragments of the huge city wall-fortress. In the 19th century, it was dismantled to expand the city's space. The towers were built between 1441-1460. There are traces of shelling on their façade, reminiscent of the invasion of the French and the Spanish Civil War. However, the sturdy construction remained unshakable. In 1931, the Quarte Towers became a national monument. They are named after the road leading to the Cathedral, located in the center, as well as to the small town of Quart de Poblet.
Torres de Quart,
Calle de Guillem de Castro 74, 46001

Valencia, Serranos Towers (Torres de Serrano)is another example of a perfectly preserved fragment of the gate of the ancient city wall, which once consisted of only 12 gates.The towers were built in 1398. The gate got its name from the name of the Los Serranos road, which led from here to Sarragosa. After the fire in From 1586 to 1887, a prison was organized here for the disgraced nobility, who were then sent to the monastery of St. Augustine. During the Spanish Civil War, it was in the fortified towers of Serranos that rich collections of priceless works of the Prado Museum were kept.The city walls were destroyed in 1865, although the towers have been preserved to this day.
Torres de Serrano,
Carrer del Comte de Trenor
Grain Palace Almudin in the Muslim style of the XIV century. The building of the palace is painted with picturesque frescoes depicting the patron saints of trade. It was here that the Museum of Fine Arts was located, where the works were kept, which were then transferred to the Prado Museum. An exhibition center has been opened in the building since 1996.

Worth a visit: botanical garden 1767 - one of the first in Spain; the house of dragons, vypralnennye in quaint Valencian Art Nouveau; the well of Saint Vincent - the patron saint of the city, the El Saler golf club in 1968 - the fifth largest golf course in Spain and 31st in Europe; the house-museum of the Catholic Saint Vincent Ferrer the Wonderworker; the Casa de la Rocas relics repository from 1437; The pavilion of the America's Cup Regatta is the most striking modern building of the port; Plaza de la Reina in the old center of Valencia; Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity; Fallas Museum, dedicated to the brightest and most important holiday; City Museum; museum of Fine Arts of the 19th century; The Maritime Museum; Museum of Ceramics, the art museum of St. Pius V and the church of St. Augustine.

Valencia Holidays

The most spectacular holiday in - this is Las Fallas - a feast of fire.

It is celebrated once a year, starting on March 15, on the eve of Saint José's Day. This holiday originated from ancient pagan traditions and is associated with the celebration of the vernal equinox. The history of the holiday goes back to ancient times, when craftsmen, returning late in the evening to their homes in winter, lit wooden lamps on the windows, which were traditionally burned at the doorstep with the onset of spring and long bright evenings. Over time, these lamps began to "dress up" in images of stuffed animals and burn them along with various household junk and old things that remained from the winter. So the wooden lamp took the form of a fancy doll ("Ninot") with symbolic images of some characteristic character. Thus, the doll (falla) became the main element of the falias celebration in Valencia. Originally "falla" means "fire", but over time this name

began to be applied to compositions of dolls burned at bonfires.

Another important tradition of the holiday later became the appearance of a theme with satirical or comic overtones, usually played with humor. The dolls symbolize various events from history and moments from people's lives. In the 18th century, a new tradition emerged in Valencia of placing puppet characters on pedestals. It was at this time that the traditional fallas, which is celebrated in Valencia to this day, was formed. Only the dolls have now become much more varied, more complex and brighter. Now these dolls are made of papier-mâché, wood and cardboard, and compositions from them are up to 20 meters high. Dolls - all kinds of cartoon characters, heroes of fairy tales and comics - literally come to life on the streets of the city. The compositions are full of dynamism, they can be very intricate and complex, which really amaze the imagination. Children find this holiday especially magical.

It is noteworthy that the traditions of falas in Valencia were initially well received by almost all segments of the population, especially the middle class, but received clear disapproval among the Puritans. They believed that the ritual of burning dolls on the streets of the city and the noisy festivities associated with it revives pagan traditions in Christian society and distracts people from work and duties. Fallas is also interesting because during the holiday, ordinary people and people of the highest strata of society united in one common tradition, which erased the boundaries of many conventions.

The modern fallas in Valencia is accompanied by a noisy carnival, marches, "maskaleta" (art of pyrotechnics), endless fireworks and salutes, explosions of firecrackers, music, dances and songs. On the night of March 19, thousands of lights are lit on the streets of Valencia: at this time, the main ceremony of burning dolls takes place.

all properties in the autonomous region of Valencia.

The historical center of Valencia is original in that there are three squares in it, one after another, and each of them can claim to be the main one in connection with its historical role. But the central square of Valencia is the largest of the old town squares. It is called administrative because the city hall is located in this place, where the city council has been meeting since 1860.

This name is completely new and was only given in 1987. What names have not been applied to this piece of land! Dedicated to St. Francis and Queen Isabella, General and First President, and other famous personalities of Spain. Even now, sometimes there are proposals to rename this area, but they do not find support.

Should a tourist wishing to see Valencia go to Plaza Ayuntamiento? By all means! This square can be considered the entrance to the historic city center from the south. In addition, Ayuntamiento impresses with its size and surrounding architecture.

The large elongated triangle of the square is surrounded by such architectural monuments as the neoclassical city hall (seen on the right in the photo) and the head post office. But the adjacent buildings also form a worthy accompaniment to two key objects.

In view of the convenient location of the square near the North, this place provides an information office, where tourists can get a map of the city and useful booklets.

During and during the Fallas national festival, the main celebrations take place on this square.

Valencia City Hall

The Plaza Ayuntamiento is dominated by the Valencia City Hall. Part of the building has been preserved from the middle of the 18th century, and the facade was built at the beginning of the 20th century (first photo of the post).

At first it was a school - the House of Education for Girls, opened at the initiative of the archbishop. When the reconstruction of the building began in 1904, the architects focused on creating the front facade. Inspired by the Baroque and Renaissance era, they completely redesigned the corner pieces and completed them with magnificent domes. A clock tower, decorated with marble statues, appeared in the center of the facade:

In one wing of the mayor's office there is a municipal history museum, where exhibits from the time of Jaime I the Conqueror are collected in five rooms. The maps of Valencia by the cartographer Antonio Mancelli (1608) and the mathematician and theologian Thomas Tosca (1704) are also of particular value. The Historical Museum of Valencia is open on weekdays in the morning.

Fountain and monuments in the administrative square

Fountains have become a familiar attribute of large areas. This rule is also followed at Plaza Ayuntamiento. But the fountain is not in the standard center (although there was such a period in the history of the main square of Valencia), but is shifted to its narrowed part. It opened in 1963, is minimalist in its composition, but attracts with the lush play of water.

It is curious that in the first third of the 20th century the square looked different precisely because of the large fountain. It was located opposite the façade of the City Hall in the composition with the monument to the important Valencian reformer, the Marquis de Campo. But not only the names of the square underwent frequent changes. Having undertaken new transformations, the monumental fountain was moved to the street, and the central space was left open for walks and events (the monument can be seen walking along the indicated street from the station to and further, to). This space is especially actively used on March days, when the Fallas festival takes place.

The administrative square does not tire visitors with monuments. We noticed the only monument next to the fountain - the national hero Francesc de Vinateu, who in the 14th century successfully resisted the division of the Valencian lands.

The monument appeared on the square on the eve of the new century, having moved from the previous pedestal near the church.

If you remember the central city square after visiting the entire historical center, then in contrast to it, you will remember it as more modern and spacious.

How to get to Plaza Ayuntamiento

Those staying directly in Valencia can take the metro and get off at Xativa station. Coming from the coast by rail, travelers arrive at the Nord station. This station is not more than 200 m away from the square and the city hall.

Ayuntamiento square on Valencia map

economically developed power of the Mediterranean coast. Initially, the city was a fortress fortified with a stone wall and a gate.
Unfortunately, only those buildings, whose age does not exceed 5-6 centuries, have survived to our time.

One of the most recognizable landmarks of the city is the city gate Torres de Serranos. The fortified city structure was erected in 1398 in the form of a triumphal arch, decorated with carved elements of the Gothic style. From the massive gate towers, where the Maritime Museum is temporarily located, a magnificent panorama of the city opens up.
Valencia can be conditionally divided into an old and a new part, and each of them is attractive and interesting in its own way. Old Valencia is home to cathedrals and cobbled squares, towers and museums, gardens and parks. The new city has absorbed all modern trends in architecture and culture.
Historically, since the XIII-XIV centuries, Christianity prevailed in Spanish Valencia. Naturally, this could not but affect the architectural appearance of the city.

The most significant site in terms of culture and religion is the Cathedral of Valencia Santa Maria (Catedral de Valencia), built on the foundations of an old Muslim mosque. According to legend, even earlier this place was dominated by a Roman temple dedicated to the war goddess Diana. The first stone of the grandiose construction was laid back in the 13th century, but the construction of the cathedral lasted until the 15th century. The Cathedral is not just an amazingly beautiful majestic building, first of all it is a repository of a holy relic, valuable for the whole world - the Holy Grail. The chalice is kept in the Capilla del Santo Caliz on the right side of the main entrance to the cathedral. The inhabitants of the city of Valencia are firmly convinced that this particular cup was used at the Last Supper, and therefore was recognized as authentic.
Also within the walls of the cathedral, decorated with graceful bas-reliefs and sculptures, there is an art museum that has collected the works of famous representatives of the Valencian school of the 15th-17th centuries. Next to the Cathedral, from the side of the "old" entrance, every Thursday at noon a meeting of the "Water Tribunal" is traditionally held, at which from year to year the main issue is the resolution of disputes over the use and operation of irrigation canals. This tradition is as old as the canals themselves, dating back to the Romanesque era.

On the territory of the cathedral complex there is another attraction - the bell tower of Torre del Miguelete. Due to its height of 68 meters, the tower is visible from any point of the historical part of the city. And from the observation deck, located at an altitude of 50 meters, you can admire the views of the entire city. Now it is just a historically significant structure, but in the old days the ringing of the bell on the tower served as a way to regulate the process of irrigation of land.

Another miracle of ancient architecture, combining elements of the Gothic style and the Baroque era, is the Catholic Cathedral of La Seu (La Seu Catedral), built from 1252 to 1482. Like Valencia Cathedral, La Seo Cathedral is skillfully woven in a variety of architectural styles. The facade of the building is decorated according to the canons of the Baroque style, in which there are recognizable Gothic features here and there. The interior of the cathedral contains many priceless paintings, including paintings by Goya and Palomino.

And in the main chapel you can see the 15th century altar, the panels of which were painted by Fernando de Llanos and Fernando Janes de la Almedina. In another chapel of the cathedral, there is a crucifix by Alonso Cano himself and an alabaster altar - a repository of a shrine with the forearm of St. Vincent Martyra.

If you turn north-west from the Plaza de los Reyes in front of the Cathedral, you will soon join the ranks of buyers of souvenir goods, which are simply packed to overflowing local shops. From there, the current of the walking public will lead you to the portal of the Apostles and the traditional meeting place for the city's residents - the Virgin Mary Square.

There, in this square, is the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, inside which there is a statue of the Virgin Mary of the 14th century.

Opposite the basilica, you will see the Government Palace (Palacio de la Generalitat), built in the period from 1510 to 1579 for members of the royal parliament. Today, there is also a government apparatus that has received a completely non-royal name: the Provincial Council. On the ground floor there are the Hall of the Cortes and the Golden Hall, whose ceilings are of great artistic value. To visit the halls of the Palace, tickets must be booked in advance.
In old Valencia, there are many squares that have received high-profile historical names and have become a must-see for all tourists and guests of the city.

For example, the Alms Square (Plaza de la Almoina), where in 1985 during archaeological excavations were discovered parts of ancient buildings - chapels, Arab baths and a Romanesque road.

Plaza Miracle del Mocadoret is surrounded by narrow streets. It is here that you can buy beautiful mirrors and picture frames in one of the many specialty stores.

But the most beautiful square is the Virgin Mary Square (Plaza de la Virgen), from which, one might say, the city begins. Here you can comfortably sit in a cafe at a table and admire the views of the Cathedral of Valencia and the Basilica of the Virgin of the Les Miserables. In the center of the square, tourists are often photographed against the background of an amazing fountain, which is a sculptural group, in the center of which, surrounded by seven maidens, there is an expressive figure. This fountain symbolizes the Turia River with its irrigation canals.

No less attention should be paid to the symbol of the flourishing trade and industry of the city - the Silk Market (La Lonja de Seda), a true example of late Gothic culture throughout Europe. The market building, built in the XV-XVI centuries, consists of two parts, connected by a garden. In the middle of the market, you can see the Columnar Hall (Salón Columnario), the upper part of which is decorated with picturesque frescoes. In 1996, the Silk Market was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The building of the Central Market (Mercado Central), whose name speaks for itself, is located in the heart of Valencia. It was built on the site of the old shopping arcade and therefore has an irregular shape, as it repeats a section of the territory that was once given by the rulers of the city for the market. Thanks to the architects Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler, we see the Art Nouveau building in front of us.

Bullfighting museum

The arena building in neoclassical style appeared in 1861. It was built on the type of ancient Roman amphitheaters and is similar to the Colosseum. In Valencia, bullfighting occurs only on holidays, while on other days, various concerts and performances are held in the arena. Today, the Bullfighting Museum operates inside the arena. The diameter of the arena is 52 meters, and the bullfight has been taking place here for 150 years.

To the right of the beautiful front door is the 15th-century Chapel de los Reyes with the tomb of Marshal Mendoza. At present, part of the complex is reserved for barracks.

Among the variety of Gothic architecture in Valencia, the Museum of Colegio del Patriarca (Museo del Patriarca) with a courtyard decorated with arches miraculously stands out. Built between 1586 and 1610, the building is in the Renaissance style. Today it houses a museum that houses collections of paintings and Flemish tapestries.

In fact, Valencia has a huge number of museums. But the most visited is perhaps the National Museum of Ceramics and Luxurious Arts (Museo Nacional de Ceramica "Gonzalez Marti"), located in the palace of the Marquis Dos Aguas. The original architectural appearance of the building, built at the end of the 15th century, was changed during the reconstruction work carried out in 1740 by the owner of the palace. As a result, we can see not an example of Gothic culture, but a building of the Baroque era. The collection of the museum has about 12 thousand exhibits. Particular attention should be paid not only to the works of famous artists, but also to visit special rooms - a tea room, a dance hall, a porcelain room, as well as the Japanese and Red Halls.

Next to the Museum of Art are the Royal Gardens (Jardines del Real) or Municipal Gardens, where numerous monuments and exhibition pavilions of the world famous International Trade Fair are presented to tourists. Opposite is the Royal Bridge, which is thrown across the Turia River, decorated with statues of saints. From here, Paseo de la Alameda will lead you to the Aragonese Bridge.

City of Art and Science

Among the modern museum complexes, it is worth noting a unique building, the brainchild of the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, called the City of Art and Science (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències). The buildings of the complex are made in a futuristic style and resemble revived pictures from fantastic books. The city includes five structures: the Museum of Oceanography, the Orangery, the Palace of Arts, the Science Museum and a multi-entertainment complex.

The construction of the huge entertainment complex resembles an eye in which part of the roof can be raised and lowered. Inside this strange architectural object is the Planetarium, where you can watch the movement of celestial bodies or take a 3D trip across the Universe.

Anyone can have a cultural rest and touch the art by visiting the Reina Sofia Palace of Arts. There are three halls in it: an opera hall with 1,750 seats, a congress hall and a theater hall with 450 seats. The hall has excellent acoustics, transforming symphonies sounding here into pure harmony of sounds.

Science Museum

The largest building not only in the city, but in the whole of Valencia is the Science Museum, in which all the walls are not at right angles. As for the exhibits, a lot of surprising things await you here too: interactive exhibits with complex electronic stuffing.
The last two buildings are more oriented towards nature and naturalness - the Orangerie and the Oceanarium, which is the largest museum of marine life in Europe.

At the beginning of 2008, the largest zoo in Europe, called Bioparc, was opened in Valencia. The territory was divided into three areas: Madagascar, Equatorial Africa and Savannah, imitating the flora and fauna of the savannah, African continent, jungle and subtropics. Visitors have the opportunity to see rare animals included in the Red Book. One of the differences between the zoo is the complete absence of enclosures and animal cages. Plants and water bodies separate animals from humans, which creates a feeling of being in the bosom of the wild.

The North Railway Station (Estacion del Norte) can also be considered a museum. The Art Nouveau-style interior of the station is richly decorated with mosaic paintings and ornamental compositions.
In Valencia, it is interesting not only to wander the narrow streets and visit historical sites. There are many parks and gardens here. You should definitely visit the Old Channel of Turia, which is a picturesque green nine-kilometer strip bordered by ancient walls and decorated with a scattering of architectural monuments. Both locals and guests of the city love to visit here. This place serves as a reminder of how cruel the elements are. After all, it is the floods that occurred in the middle of the 20th century. and leaving behind destruction and death, forced the authorities of the city to change the course of the river and thus save the ancient city from further disasters. The old riverbed has turned into a beautiful man-made natural monument.

Valencia is a beautiful and bustling city where people love and know how to have fun. Various celebrations and masquerades are held here. The most memorable traditional holiday for all tourists is Las Fallas, dedicated to the reviving and purifying power of fire. Fallas is celebrated for several days starting from March 1. The holiday opens with a pyrotechnic show, and a 14-meter figure of the Saint, decorated with flowers, is installed on the central square. The culmination of the holiday is the mass burning of puppet figures in bonfires and joyful festivities with dances. The holiday ends on March 19. There is even a museum dedicated to him in the city, where the best fallas-dolls are exhibited that have escaped the festive fire. The museum is always very crowded, which is due not only to its popularity, but also to the democratic entrance prices.
Along with historical sites and museums, Valencia's modern face is comprised of numerous restaurants, markets, modern architecture, botanical and oceanographic parks, and much more, making this Spanish city a tourist destination.

For a comfortable stay of tourists, there is a whole recreation industry - numerous hotels of various levels of service, equipped beaches and the possibility of renting a car. Although most of the tourists prefer walking trips by bike or local transport. Valencia, as well as Europe in general, has a well-developed transport network, so you can travel between cities by bus and train.
Recently, many tourists are more likely to stay in private apartments, the offer of which is quite diverse and affordable.
Today Valencia is one of the best Spanish resorts, whose beaches are clean and comfortable. When planning a trip to Valencia, you should not go for 2-4 days. In such a short period of time, you will not have time to see at least half of all the amazing places and local attractions.

Valencia - a city on the Mediterranean coast in the eastern part of Spain, the third largest population in the country, the capital of the province of Valencia. A beautiful, cozy and calm city, a mix of ancient attractions and non-standard modern buildings, a city with a mild climate and clean beaches, with a developed infrastructure for active life, sports and tourism. This post is about the attractions of Valencia and its surroundings.

Architectural monuments

Let's begin with that Valencia is an ancient city, with a rich history. It was founded by the Romans back in 138 BC and has passed from hand to hand several times during its existence. A large number of architectural monuments, very popular among tourists, have survived to this day.

We'll start our short tour of Valencia's sights with what is worth visiting first, the Old Town, the 14th century Torres de Serranos watchtowers that served as the gateway to the city.
Historic city center - square of the Holy Virgin Mary.

On the square there are:

• Fountain of the Water Tribunal, symbolizing the Turia river and seven irrigation canals that originated in it;
• old Gothic building of the General's Palace, built in the XV-XVI centuries, which now houses the provincial government;
• basilica of the Holy Virgin Mary XVII century;
• Valencia Cathedral - one of the main attractions of the city. Its construction began in 1262 and continued intermittently throughout the XIII-XV centuries. One of the three gates of the Cathedral - the Apostolic one - overlooks the square of the Holy Virgin Mary. The cathedral is also famous for the fact that the Holy Grail is preserved in it.

Must visit Central market on the Market Square, one of the busiest places in the city. A huge modernist market building was built at the beginning XX century. Near the market it is interesting to see the Gothic building of the Silk Exchange of the 15th century, as well as the Church of San Juan, in the basements of which the courts of the medieval inquisition were held and torture of prisoners was used.

Valencia squares

To include, in addition to those already mentioned, a few more areas of the city:

• city Assembly Square - a traditional gathering place for tourists, where all excursions start; the City Hall, the Museum of the History of the City, a large flower market are located here;
• queen's square and the bell tower of Miguelet (height - 68 m), from the upper tier of which you can view the panorama of the city;

• toros square with a bullfighting museum, a school of bullfighters and a large operating bullring;
• tetouan square with the royal palace of Cervello and the monastery of Santo Domingo;
• almoin square, where the found remains of buildings from the period of Roman rule are demonstrated.

Bell tower Miguelet

Parks

Valencia is a city with rich vegetation, one of the greenest in. Moreover, the vegetation here is very diverse - from palms and citrus to cacti and ficuses. The city has several beautiful parks, unique in their own way.

• Turia Gardens - a unique park, laid out on the site of the old riverbed of the Turia River and repeating its shape. The park runs through the entire city, its total length is 12 km. There are always a lot of people here - locals who spend their leisure time, tourists. In one of the parts of the Turia Gardens, there is a Biopark, a new type of zoo. On its territory, with an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 100,000 square meters, the flora and fauna (over 250 species) of the African savannah and the island of Madagascar are represented.
• Royal gardens - the most beautiful park in Valencia with a pond, a large number of plants and even a bio garden with animals and exotic birds. There is a large playground for children with attractions and a roller-skating area, next to the Museum of Fine Arts, which can be visited after a walk in the park.
• Montforte Garden - a charming landscape park with a labyrinth, alleys, sculptures and fountains, awarded the title of National Art Park.
• Parc de la Glorieta known for its large collection of interesting plants and trees.

Montforte Garden

Turia Gardens

City of Science and Arts

City of Science and Arts - a giant cultural and entertainment complex in the Gardens of Turia park, an outstanding example of modern architecture. The complex was put into operation in 1998, its components:

• opera theatre;
• a science and technology museum where all the exhibits can be touched and put into action;
• garden gallery;

• cinema and planetarium;
• l'Oceanografic aquarium is the largest in Europe, with a huge number of species of marine animals and fish. Consists of several pavilions, a dolphinarium and an underwater restaurant.

L'Oceanografic Oceanarium

Valencia museums

Choose the museum of the genre you are interested in. There is where to go - in total there are 34 museums of different directions. Most visited by tourists:

• War Museum;
• museum of Science and Technology;
• Historical Museum of Valencia;
• museum of the Patriarch (painting);

• museum of Fine Arts (painting);
• the Gonzalez Martí Ceramic Museum;
• gallery of contemporary arts.

Gonzalez Martí Pottery Museum

Beaches

The weather in Valencia is almost always sunny, hence the city's nickname - "House of Sun"... Precipitation is rare. Average monthly temperature: from +16 ° C in winter to +30 ° C in summer. The pleasant climate and sunny weather make for a beach holiday almost all year round - from April to October. There are plenty of clean and comfortable beaches with white sand and picturesque views both in the city and beyond. Rest here is a pleasure - the infrastructure of excursion and sports tourism is very developed.

What to see from the attractions located near Valencia:

1. Take a trip to albufera National Park - a nature reserve with a lake, located just 10 km from the city. Here you can have a good time admiring the nature, listen to the singing of many birds, go boating on the lake, and also taste the local specialties - paella and eel stew.
2. You can relax on one of the many beaches in the vicinity of the city: Malvarossa, El Saler, Pinedo, El Recati - or go on an excursion to one of the cities around Valencia at a distance of 65 km (Gandia) to 200 km (Alicante).

What a tourist can see in Valencia on their own in 2 days

The concentration of attractions and interesting places in the city and the surrounding area is so high that in order to slowly visit everything, ideally need 7 to 10 days... Given the limited time of most tourists, I recommend the itinerary of what you can see in Valencia and the surrounding area in two days.

What to see in Valencia in the 1st day:

• city Assembly Square (Ayuntamiento): City Hall, History Museum, Flower Market, Tourist Center (take a city map);
• Bank of Valencia;
• parc de la glorieta;
• Market Square: Central Market, Silk Exchange, San Juan Church;
• Round square; Queen's Square: Cathedral, Miguelete Tower;
• square of the Holy Virgin Mary: Fountain of the Water Tribunal, Basilica of the Holy Virgin Mary;

• almoin square: remains of Roman buildings, Knitted House;
• torres de Serranos towers;
• tetouan square: Santo Domingo Monastery, Cervello Palace;
• alphonse V square: monument to King James I;
• portal Puerta de la Mar: copy of the Royal Gate;
• toros square: bullring, bullfighting museum, Gare du Nord.

Toros Square