The Old Town
Valencia's old...
by Humberto_san
The Old Town
Valencia's old part of town is limited by the rails of the tramway, which run where have been the old town-walls until 1865. Most monuments date to the time after the reconquest of Valencia from the Moors, in 1238 by Jaime I.. That was the town's most blooming epoch.
The Cathedral is mainly of early gothic style, though some parts of it were added in later eras. Its three portals are Romanesque, gothic and baroque , respectively. The main chapel, Capilla Mayor, is in baroque style, the two lateral chapels are neoclassic.
The octagonal bell-tower, called Micalet or also Miguelete , is the landmark of the city. From there you have a great view over all Valencia, and Victor Hugo has counted 300 more bell-towers in all the city (to control if this number is right could be a challenge to patient and unstressed visitors ...??)
In the Capitulary you can see the Holy Chalice, of which Jesus Christ and the Apostles are said to have drunk during the Last Supper.
In the Cathedral's Museum are exposed works of Goya, Jacomart, Cellini, Paggibonsi as well as paintings of valencian school of 15th to 17th century.
Close to the catherdral there is the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, ('Mare de Deu dels Desemparats') , a church consecrated to the patroness of the city, and the Almudín, a medieval granary that is nowadays used as a museum. In the closeby church Iglesia de San Esteban are said to have been married the daughters of legendary Cid.
Some more interesting buildings in this area of town are the Palace of Almirantes de Aragón, the church San Juan del Hospital and the Convento de Santo Domingo. La Lonja and Surroundings
At Plaza de Manises is located the Palacio de la Generalidad, a 15th century palace that today is used as seat of government. Of high interest are the wall-paintings in its Salon de las Cortes, Salón Dorado and Galería de Retratos de los Reyes de Valencia.
Through the street Calle de Los Caballeros you arrive to the town-gate Torres de Quart, of 1441, and to Plaza del Mercado, the square where is located Valencia's probably best known monument, La Lonja , the old stock-exchange building of 1483.
At its side there are the baroque church Iglesia de los Santos Juanes, with important wall-paintings of Palomino, and the bell-tower Campanil de la Iglesia de Santa Catalina .
Through Calle Torno you arrive to the Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas, in rococo-style and with a very highly individual portal designed by Hipólito Rovira. The Patriarca College, of 1603, is typical for the austere ambience of religious Renaissance buildings in Spain. Valencia's University and its extraordinary Law Court are of neoclassical style. Another monument of quite recent date is the bridge Nuevo Puente of 1995, nicknamed La Peineta, 'side-comb', due to its form.
It is a charming city¡¡¡
Blasco Ibáñez Avenue
by DanielF
Blasco Ibáñez was a famous Valencian writer who portraited the Valencian society of the XIX and early XX century.
the broadest avenue in Valencia is named after him. This avenue consisted in linking the Royal gardens with the beach through a very broad avenue with gardens in the middle.
the project was not totally completed, as it would mean to demolish a lot of building in the Cabanyal neighborhood, a former fishermen suburb. The plans to complete it are controversial.
The first part of the avenue are occupied by university building. Pictured is the building of the rectorate.
Valencia's array of cultural...
by fga
Valencia's array of cultural activities is enormous. In theatre, both classical and avantgarde productions are staged, in which the Centre Dramàtic de la Generalitat Valenciana (Rialto) and the Teatre Principal play an important role. In cinema, the Mediterranean Film Festival, or Mostra, can be cited, and there are a large number of cinemas and cinema clubs and a film archive. In music, regular concerts are given at the Palau de la Música i Congressos , an International Marching Band Festival is held yearly, pop and rock concerts are staged throughout the year, especially during the July Fair, and autumn brings the Mediterranean Music Festival.
Special courses and seminars are given by the Universities of Valencia, the Universidad Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), and there are many great libraries, conference halls, exhibitions and galleries open year round.
There are many museums to be visited and monuments to be admired.
Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM) Valencian Institute of Modern Art
Permanent exhibition of sculptures by Julio González and regular temporary exhibitions by some of today's leading avant-garde representatives of the arts.
Museo de Bellas Artes Museum of Fine Arts
Outstanding works from the Valencian School: Joan de Joanes, Ribalta, Espillosa, Vicente López, Sorolla, Pinazo, etc. International works such as Velázquez's self-portrait, works by Pinturicchio, Andrea del Sarto, Van Dyck, Murillo, El Greco, Goya, etc. In the sculpture pavilion, you'll see interesting examples of contemporary art and an important archeological collection.
Museo Nacional de Cerámica National Ceramics Museum
Housed in the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, with a façade in the churrigueresque style, this museum offer an overview of outstanding works in ceramics from Manises, Paterna and Alcora.
Museo de la CatedralCathedral Museum
Of note are the works by Almedina, Joanes, Goya, Jacomart, Alonso Cano and Orrente.
Museo Paleontológico Paeleontological Museum
Contains a collection ol insects and fossils. The most important museum exhibited is the skeleton of a megatherium.
Museo del Patriarca Patriarch's Museum
A collection worthy of mention, including works by El Greco and early Flemish painters.
Museo de la Prehistoria Museum of Prehistory
A view of the Paleolithic including a range of curious remains and fossils.
Museo Taurino Bullfighting Museum
One of the oldest and most impressive in Spain, with a variety of bullfighting memorabilia from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Museo Fallero Fallas Museum
The Ninots are the cartoon-like figures or statuettes decorating the monumental Valencian falla. Each year, since 1934, the cream of the crop have been saved from the roaring flames and kept in this museum, together with posters, photographs and other objects connected with the fallas.
Centro de Artesanía de la Comunidad Valenciana Craftsmanship Centre of the Land of Valencia
Displays a wide selection of works by Valencian artisans.
Museo Histórico Municipal Municipal Historical Museum
Located in the Ayuntamiento(City Hall), the museum has a collection of historical objects, including the Senyera (the regional flag), the pennant of James I the Conquerer ,the 15th century Flemish tablet of the Final Judgement and a series of antique books and guild memorabilia.
Casa-MuseoJosé Benlliure Museum-Homeof José Benlliure
Contains the works of this wellknown Valencian artist, along with ceramics and objects from the epoch.
Museo Marítimo Joaquín Saludes Joaquín Saludes Maritime Museum
Located in the Torres de Serranos (the east gateway to the ancient city), this exposition presents a valuable collection of amphorae and other archeological objects brought up from the Mediterranean seabed, as well as an attractive shipmodel display.
Museo de la Ciudad Palacio Marqués de Campo City Museum- Marquésde Campo Palace
Holds an archeological collection illustrating the pre-Roman age and the founding of the city, and a part of the municipal art gallery. It also contains a permanent exhibition of Christian Valencia in the XIII th and XIV th centuries
Discover my favourite cottage...
by matcrazy1
Discover my favourite cottage in El Palmar - small, beautiful village about 25 km south of Valencia (drive the road along the coast). There are delicious fish (including eels from nearby Albufera Lake) in restaurants here - come here and taste.
Valencia is heaven for party...
by rla
Valencia is heaven for party people. You won´t find many cities around the world with so much nightlife. There are many zones of nightlife, the mains are: Barrio del Carmen (its on the of top pub areas, andmost foreigners tend to be at this place), Juan Llorens, Plaza Honduras, Zona Mezquita, Canovas (this is more a teenager crowd). Most of these zones are pub areas. The discotheques are mainly out of the city, the ones i would recommend would be: Bananas and Arabesco, but there are many more. During the summer, just by the beach in Valencia they open discos only for that season. They have there own terraces, and its the best place to be in summer for partying. I would recommend you to go to Acuarela.
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The city of Arts and Science
Fountains at the Palau de Musica
Ciudad de las Artes e de las Ciencias
A view from the exterior top
