Valencia

La Tomatina, Paella, and the 3rd largest city in Spain ... sound familiar? It should, and it all revolves around Valencia. Located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain only a few hours by train south of Barcelona, is the meca known as Valencia. Originally founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC, it was occupied by the Moors in 714 introducing many valuable systems, customs and traditions to the area. In 1238 the Christian King conquered the city, split the land between the people who helped him overthrow it, and created the ‘Furs of Valencia’ - new laws to govern by. Taking after Barcelona, the city of Valencia also resembles much of the Eixample design, but to a lesser extent.

The City has such a long history and has many things to enjoy when you arrive, such as Paella or Orxata (it’s where they born, after all), the new City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), beautiful blue flag beaches, and if you can time it right - La Tomatina, a tomato throwing fight/festival held every August just outside of the city, in Buñol, or the Falles festival held in Valencia in March. 

Historic sights in the city are plentiful and can easily be walked between most. Take a stroll by the Valencia Cathedral, which was built from the 13th-15th centuries and stop by the Basilica of the Virgin next to it. The Torres de Serrans & Torres de Quart towers were part of the wall that once surrounded the city, and climbing any of the towers within the city can give you great lookout points over the old town. The Llotja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange market) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Central Market here is one of the largest in Europe. For a bit further of a walk, head over to the bull fighting ring, and the railway station, Estació Del Nord, which was built in a Spanish version of Art Nouveau style and is rather impressive architecture. Get lost in the old streets of the Barrio del Carmen neighborhood where you will find historic buildings that date back to the Arab and Roman times. Grab a cup of coffee in any of the old squares (or at Dulce de Leche café) and watch the world around you as time flies by here! 

If you want to take in all the Valencia has to offer, you can do so in anywhere from 3+ days, depending on how in depth you want to see it and how quickly you want to move around. Its better to stay central to the old town and walk or Uber to the City of Arts & Sciences or to the beach, as this is where you’ll likely spend most of your time.

If you’re into the Arts & Sciences or modern (or futuristic) architecture for that matter, definitely plan to spend a day (or 2) at the new City of Arts & Sciences. It was designed by Valentian Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela and is home to an opera house/arts center, L’Hemisfèric, an IMAX cinema & planetarium, a science museum that resembles a whale skeleton, and the largest oceanographic park/aquarium in Europe. Next to the ‘city’ is a bridge named after Calatrava himself that fits right into the theme of the buildings nearby. The complex is on the former Túria riverbed that was drained and redirected after a severe flood in the late 1950s, which has now been converted into a city park. The buildings first started construction in 1996, and the last building opened in 2009. The city is made up of the following:

L’Hemisfèric is the IMAX Cinema & planetarium, built to resemble a giant eye, as in ‘the eye of knowledge’. It was the first building completed, in 1998.

El Museum de Les Ciències Príncipe Felipe is an interactive science museum resembling the skeleton of a whale, completed in 2000. On the main floor is a basketball court and a view of the Turia Garden that surrounds the building while the second floor is the ‘Legacy of Science’ exhibit. The third floor is known as the Chromosome Forest as it shows the sequencing of human DNA, as well as is where the Zero gravity, Marvel superheroes and Space Academy exhibits can be found.

L’Umbracle, completed in 2001 is an open-air structure with a landscaped walkway surrounded by indigenous Valencia plants as well as an outdoor art gallery.

L’Oceanogràphic, is an open air park and the largest oceanographic aquarium (most of which is underground) in Europe. It was built in the shape of a water lily, is reminiscent of Gaudí’s work, and each building represents different aquatic environments from around the world. It is home to over 500 different water and wetland bird species.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia was completed in 2005 and is a performing arts and opera center dedicated to theatre, opera and music. It has 4 areas within it; the main hall, master hall, Martin y Soler theatre, and the auditorium.

L’Àgora was completed in 2009 and was the final piece of the city. It is a covered plaza that sporting events, conferences, and concerts are held. 

Within the center of the city is a long pool of water, with sculptures within featuring 7 women designed by Jaume Plensa (anyone from my home in Calgary may recognize his work from the ‘Wonderland’ statue in front of the Bow Tower). The women’s gazes are all inward, creating an introspective moment walking past.