6-day trip to Valencia
Visiting the Town Hall Square (Plaça de l’ Ayuntamiento), Post Office Building (Edificio de Correos), Museum of the City (Museo de la Ciutat), North Station (Estación del Norte), Bullring (Plaza de Toros), Central Market (Mercado Central), Church of Saints John (Iglesia de los Santos Juanes), Silk Exchange (la Lonja de la Seda), Round Square (Plaça Redonda), St. Catherine’s Church (Iglesia de Santa Catalina), Cathedral (Seu) , Bell tower of the Cathedral (Miguelete), Holy Grail Chapele (Cappilla of the Holy Grail), Virgin Square (Plaza de la Virgen), Palace of the Generalitat (the Generalitat), the Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken (Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados) , Almoina Square (Plaça de la Almoina),the Almudin (Almudin), Museum of Pottery (Museo de la Ceramica) , Palace del Marqués de Dos Aguas, Convent of San Domenico (Antiguo Convento de Santo Domingo), Colombo market (Mercado de Colón), University of Arts (Universidad Literaria), Colegio del Patriarca, the Serranos Towers (Torres de Serranos), Asilo of the Marquis del Campo, Turia Gardens (Jardì Turia), Gulliver , Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes), the Music Palace (Palau de la Musica) , Bridge of Exposure (Puente de la Exposicion), Ponte del Real (Puente del Real), City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències), Palace of Arts Reina Sofia (Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia), Hemispheric (Hemisfèric), Prince Felipe Science Museum (Museo de les Ciències Principe Felipe), Humbracle, Oceanographic (Oceanogràfic), 32nd America ‘s Cup.
Town Hall Square, Post Office Building, City Museum
Plaça del Ayuntamiento (Town Hall Square)
ValenciaNorthern Station
Northern Station
ValenciaPlaza de Toros and Central Market
Placa de Toros
ValenciaChurch of los Santos Juanes and Lonja de la Seda
Among the Central Market and the Lonja we visited the “Iglesia de los Santos Juanes” (church of Saints John -Baptist and Evangelist) with a beautiful sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary. On the upper part of the façade, it stands the weathervane known as ”el Pajaro de San Juan” (Saint John’s sparrow).
La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) is the most representative monument of Valencia. In fact it is a splendid example of Valencian Gothic and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Lonja
ValenciaRound Square, Church of Santa Caterina, Bell Tower, Cathedral, the Belfry (“Miguelete”), Holy Grail Chapel
The Plaça Redonda (Round Square),which is surrounded by shops and has a central fountain, is so small that, in Valencia, is known as “el clot ” (the hole). The nearby Iglesia de Santa Catalina is one of the oldest church and is characterized by a hexagonal Bell Tower, which, thanks to its beauty, has become the emblem of the city.
The “Iglesia de la Seo” (Valencia Cathedral), dating back to the thirteenth century, presents different styles as we can see in its three portals: the baroque one ”Puerta de los Hierros” (Iron portal ) , the Gothic one “Puerta de los Apóstoles” (Portal of the Apostles) and the Roman portal called “Puerta del Palau”.
The Belfry, said ”Miguelete”, is an impressive octagonal Gothic tower.
Inside, there is the Holy Grail Chapel where there is the chalice that, it is said , was used at the Last Supper.
Holy Grail Chapel
ValenciaPlaza de la Virgen, Fontain of Neptune, Palace of Generalitat, Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados
Behind the Cathedral, we visited the “Plaza de la Virgen” dominated by the fountain of Neptune.
Overlooking the square, in addition to the back side of the Seu, there are the Palace of the “Generalitat Valenciana”, symbol of the city’s independence and seat of the Cortes, and the “Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados” (Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken).
The Basilica houses the statue of the Virgin of the Forsaken, the patron saint of Valencia.
Plaça de la Virgen
ValenciaPlaza de la Almoina, Roman Valencia, Almudìn, National Museum of Pottery
The Museo Nacional de Ceramica (National Museum of Pottery) is located in the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. It is interesting its portal decorated in alabaster . The Museum hosts beautiful pottery and the rich and interesting reconstruction of a Valencian kitchen .
National Museum of Pottery
ValenciaAncient Convent of San Domingo, Mercado de Colon, Universidad Literaria and Patriarca complex
The “Antiguo Convento de Santo Domingo” is only partially open to the public (Kings’ Chapel). The Mercado de Colón, recently restored, is one of the representative modernist monuments of the city. It is particularly interesting the “Trencadis” (a ceramic mosaic).
The Universidad Literaria and the Patriarca complex overlook the Plaça del Patriarca. The “Colegio del Patriarca” includes the Chapel of the Communion and the Art Gallery.
Mercado Colon
ValenciaTorres de Serranos, Asilo del Marqués de Campo, church and Charity House, Valencia palaces
In excellent condition, we found the Gothic Serranos Towers. Dating back to 1200, they testify the old massive walls of Valencia’s fortification.
The “Asilo del Marqués de Campo” (Refuge of the Marques de Campo), with the adjoining church and the Charity House (“Casa de la Beneficencia”), is an eclectic homage to the Gothic style.
Walking through Valencia we could admire numerous and important buildings. In this photo-gallery I want to show the most representative ones.
Torres de Serranos
ValenciaTurìa river, ancient and new bridges (work by Santiago Calatrava)
In 1957, the Turia River, which crossed the city of Valencia, flooded and the city was submerged by more than two meters of water. Its course was diverted out of town.
During the years, the original river-bed , empty and uncultivated, was healed. Today you can walk on it through thriving gardens; wide spaces are dedicated to sport and leisure, especially for children (Gulliver’s park).
The numerous bridges which crossed the Turia river have all been restored.
New bridges have been built as the one by Santiago Calatrava.
Turìa
ValenciaCity of Arts and Sciences and Palace of the Arts of Queen Sophia, works by Santiago Calatrava
Going towards the southern outskirts of the city, on the river-bed of Turia River, they built the “Third Millennium Valencia”. It is the ”Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències” (City of Arts and Sciences).
There are four main modern works built in recent years ; all of them are signed by the world- famous architect Santiago Calatrava.
The Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia is a futuristic and original building that might look like a huge fish. Inside there are four theatres.
City of Arts and Sciences
ValenciaHemisferic, Museum of Sciences (with the Vespa which belonged to Salvador Dalì), Humbracle, works by Santiago Calatrava
Inside there are theatres where you can attend to shows on different subjects.
The Museo de les Ciències Principe Felipe occupies a huge area and has a big show-room. It is an interactive Museum and allows people to see and participate in scientific and technological experiments . It also contains other interesting sections.
The Italians can be proud of the Exhibition which regards the History of Vespa, the famous Piaggio scooters. The Vespa which belonged to Salvador Dali and was signed by him is on display.
The Humbracle is a garden long more than three hundred meters placed below a semicircular structure .
Hemisferic
ValenciaOceanografic (work by Architect Felix Candela)
Oceanogràfic
ValenciaThe harbour, with the boats training for the 32nd America’s Cup
In the sea, in front of the port of Valencia, there were the boats which were training in order to take part, starting from April 2007, to the 32nd America ‘s Cup.
We went to visit the bases of Mascalzone Latino and Luna Rossa , as well as the permanent exhibition commissioned by Louis Vuitton.
America’s Cup
Valencia
Ignazio MarconiMy name is Ignazio and my motto is Travellingforever
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