Valencia is a major port city of Spain which dates back to about 138 BC. You can see a perfect blend of the past in it’s museums and the current & futuristic technologies in its architecture. Being the centre for international trade, cuisine, culture, & business, Valencia is one of the most important cities for tourism, trade, business & conferences.
Fine sand & clear waters- this is the identification of Valencia historically- especially with its coastal mountains and the enormity of sea, along the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of River Turia, Valencia has been always knows as the City of 100 Bell Towers. The most important bell towers are: Gothic El Miguelete Tower (1381 – 1424) adjoining the Cathedral & the hexagonal Tower of Santa Catalina (1688 – 1705).
The government of Valencia, took a huge risk, that paid off well- by converting the former bed of the River Turia, which initially used to run through the middle of the city into an enormous 9 km long park, which is used for walking, cycling, playing sports, cafés, etc. these days.
Being an important part of the history, Valencia, has numerous important places of Interest.
Bioparc Valencia:
A precise echo of Africa in Valencia, with the theme of ‘Zoo Immersion’, this bioparc unlike traditional zoos, follow the motto of promoting respect for animals. Elephants, Giraffes, Gorillas, Hippos, Hyenas, Lemurs, Leopards, Lions, Ostriches, otters, Porcupines & Rhinos co-exist serenely.
Oceanographic Park:
Interesting place of attraction & a research centre, where you find the planet’s primary seas & oceans replicating the habitats and zones of the earth, like Mediterranean, Polar, Islands, Tropical, Temperate and houses a variety of marine species viz., Beluga Whales, Manta rays, Penguins, Walruses, Sea Lions, and Sharks. There are also marshlands, mangroves, and marine gardens, restaurants, shops and almost everything- a mini world inside a gigantic aquarium.
Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno:
Valencian Institute of Modern Art is a centre for modern & contemporary art hosting a continuous development of art, culture & photography of the 20th century amongst it’s 10,000+ collection.
City of Arts & Sciences:
One of the 12 treasures of Spain, City of Arts & Sciences is built after draining & re-routing the Turia, after a catastrophic flood in 1957, turning it in to a quaint sunken park.
The Serranos Towers:
Constructed by Pere Balaguer in the 14th century as a part of city’s fortification, this Gothic city pentagon shaped gateway was once the main entrance to the city, and was decorated with gothic designs on the borders with parapets on the top and, the remains of the old moat can still be seen on the entire structure. You can enjoy marvellous views of the city and the river Turia from its terraces.
The National Ceramics Museum Gonzalez Marti:
It is a ceramics museum, housed in a palace dating back to the 15th century and was refurbished in the Rocco style in 1740 with a magnificent alabaster entrance with the door crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary, from which two streams of water flow, symbolizing the Júcar and the Turia rivers. The museum contains an important collection of ceramics, with prehistoric, Roman, Greek and Arab items.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral:
AKA Valencia Cathedral was sanctified in the 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia. One of the most revered and famous chalices, is housed in this church- the Holy Grail!; It was the official papal chalice for many popes, and dates back to the 1st century, when it was given to the cathedral by king Alfonso V of Aragon in 1436.
By: Archa Dave
