Valencia Sightseeing Tourist Attractions
City of the Arts & Sciences
This enormous complex known as 'La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias' is undoubtedly Valencia's number one attraction these
days attracting over 4 million annual visitors.
It consists of four main buildings:
(1) L'Hemisferic is a planetarium and a huge
IMAX cinema showing science and geography
related documentaries;
(2) Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe containing
exhibitions of the latest in high technology;
(3) L'Oceanografic (favourite with the kids) is an underwater world where you
walk through tunnels with sharks and other sea
creatures swimming around you. This water world also contains a dolphinarium
(with shows), fascinating aquariums which simulate conditions in the world's
oceans and if the kids are still not impressed there's a place to play with
remote controlled boats;
(4) Palacio de las Artes consists of auditoriums for
the performance of plays, opera, and music in conjunction with all the latest
technology. See pictures of this fascinating complex where education, technology
and leisure operate hand in hand.
Cathedral
How could we have a page on things to see without mentioning a city's Cathedral?
The particular claim to fame of Valencia cathedral is that it has reputedly been
the home of the mythical Holy Grail (the chalice Jesus used at the Last Supper)
for the past 500 years. In Plaza Zaragoza where the Cathedral stands is an
unfinished 47m Gothic tower called the Miguelete which dates back to the 14th
century. It's well worth climbing the tower to get a great view over the city
towards the agricultural (huerta) lands beyond.
Art Galleries and Museums
The Instituto Valencia de Arte Moderno (IVAM) contains an impressive collection
of Spanish modern art was responsible for firmly adding Valencia to the list of
European art centres. It lies near the Torres de Quart, 15th-century towers
which face towards Madrid and guard the entrance to the city. You can see marks
at the top of the tower left by cannonballs fired by Napoleon's troops during
the 19th century invasion.
The Museu San Pío is a fine collection of with a particularly Flemish and native
Valencian flavour. It includes works by Velazquez (look for his self-portrait of
1640), Goya, Bosch, Morales, El Greco (St. John the Baptist), Ribera, Murillo,
and Sorolla.
The Museu de Belles Artes has one of Spain's best general collections and
includes works by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco as well as plenty Valencia modern
art.
There is an interesting Museu Fallero with some of the best creations from the
previous Fallas festival which allowed them to escape being burnt.
The Valencia region is the capital of Spain's ceramic industry most notably as
the home to Lladró porcelain. An interesting museum is the Museo Nacional de
Cerámica which has examples of ceramics from all over the world.
The Silk Exchange
This beautiful former silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) was built in 1498.
Today it is a Unesco World
Heritage site.
Palau de la Generalitat
This is a 15th century Gothic building which is the government building of the
region of Valencia.
Mercado Central
The city's central market dates back to 1928. It is well worth a visit to
experience the hussle and bussle as shoppers and
traders go about their business among a fascinating array of fruit, vegetables,
meat and fish stalls.
BullringValencia's Plaza de Toros is one of the largest bullrings in Spain. It lies next
to the train rail station at Calle de
Xátiva 28. Bullfights take place every day during the Fallas festival in March
though tickets are difficult to get hold of.
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