The 5 must-see places in Valencia
1) Cathedral Valencia Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Mary is the metropolitan cathedral seat Archdiocese of Valencia. The cathedral was consecrated in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the Reconquista and was built on the ancient mosque of Balansiya, which in turn was built on the site in which stood the ancient Visigothic cathedral. Inside it also contains what, according to legend, was the chalice from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. Also recommended the tower from which Miguelete top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city. The entrance costs 3 Euros per person and allows access to the Cathedral, the Chapel of the Holy Grail and the tower Miguelete. Where is Plaza Almoina, s / n, 46003 Valencia Opening hours: from 20 March to 31 October: Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.30, Sunday and holidays from 14.00 to 18.30. From November 1 to March 19: Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 17.30 Sunday and public holidays, the Cathedral is closed from 14.00 to 17.00.
2) the City of Arts and Sciences The City of Arts and Sciences is an architectural complex designed by the Spanish Santiago Calatrava (Valencian by birth). This is the perfect prototype of organic architecture typical of calatrava. The city of science is a real city, the complex is in fact composed of five major structures: an opera (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía), a movie theater (The Hemisfèric), a Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe), the largest aquarium in Europe (Oceanogràfic) and an outdoor garden (Umbracle). Where is it: Ciutat de les Arts and Sciences, Valencia 46013 Website: https://cac.es/va/
3) La Lonja de la Seda La Lonja is one of the characteristic buildings of the city, as well as being one of the most famous monuments belonging to the civil Gothic that you can find in Europe. It is a National Historic Monument by 4 June 1931 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as belonging to the December 5 1996. “La Lonja de Mercaderes” (The Stock Exchange of Merchants) is located in the center of the urban area – in front of the Market Central to the Temple and of St John – and occupies a rectangular area whose area is about 1990 square meters. Where is it: Lonja, 2 46001 Valencia
4) Court of waters The Door of the Apostles of the Cathedral of Valencia every Thursday at noon meets the “Tribunal de las Aguas “ritual perpetrated by more than a millennium. In these hearings are held in the Valencian language and judgments are final. The “Tribunal de las Aguas” is the only structure that remains between the legislative established by James I. The Arabs were already practicing this system of irrigation, which established the monarch formally, based on the distribution of the Turia. It consists of eight farmers who wear yet the typical black blouse of country people, who are democratically elected every two years other sprinklers. Sitting in a circle on wooden chairs and leather dating back to the seventeenth century, are invested with a great authority. For how to structure irrigation, for the participation of the farmers and the speed with which problems are solved, the “Tribunal de las Aguas” has experienced a projection at the international level and is considered a model institution. Without folkloric embellishments, efficient and essentially Valencian, the “Tribunal de las Aguas” exercises in front of a curious audience among which there is no shortage college students and tourists.
5) National Museum of Ceramics. Palazzo del Marquese de Dos Aguas Important Ceramics Museum (Museo González Martí), built during the last decade of the fifteenth century and restored in 1740 by order of the Marquis de Dos Aguas. It was then that he executed the great facade, carved in alabaster. This facade, designed by José Vergara second draft Hipólito Rovira and collaboration Ignacio Vergara and Luis Domingo, is the one that gave fame to the building due to its haunting beauty. Inside the museum you can also see some of the dishes created by Pablo Picasso. Admission: € 3. Where is it: Rinconada Garcia Sanchiz, 6 46002 – Valencia Opening hours: Monday closed. From Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 14:00.
Other possible destinations
1) Plaza Redonda This curious work of Salvador Escrig Melchor dating back to the nineteenth century is a square inserted within a building. Popularly known as el clot (the hole), on the road surface has a number of commercial premises, where they sell all kinds of items. Sunday morning there is also a market place. The square is crowned by three other floors, decorated with railings wrought iron balconies and isolated. It stands in the center of the square a fountain of 1850.
2) Torres de Serranos The Towers, started in 1382 by Pere Balaguer, born as a defense of one of the busiest entrances ancient Valencia. In 1865 the walls were demolished and remain isolated. From 1586 until 1887 are used as a prison for nobles. Subsequently, the rear part of the Towers was discovered and from the Plaza de los Fueros you can see five rooms with pointed arches and ribbed vaults. The towers are a magnificent example of Gothic architecture.
3) Iglesia de los Santos Juanes This church was built as a hermitage on top of the ancient mosque in 1240. Due to fire was rebuilt in the fourteenth century and in the sixteenth. It will be the end of the seventeenth century and early eighteenth when take his final appearance with a baroque appearance. The exterior begins to restore to 1700s. The main façade, which overlooks the Market Square, being the point of meeting between the Market and the Lonja, is treated in a special way by creating an altarpiece, on which stands the central sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary. At the center stands the clock “bell-y Horari “(bell and hands). stands out even the weather vane in the upper part of the façade, known as “el pardal de Sant Joan” (St. John of the sparrow) because of the bird that was in the upper part. It is a National Historic Monument.
4) Veles e Vents This building is a symbol of the America’s Cup and is located on the canal which is a connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Valencia. Designed by David Chipperfield Fermín Vázquez simple and minimalist in style, it has a height of 25 m and 10,500 m2 of surface and is composed of horizontal platforms forming shadow on terraces, from which visitors can enjoy a new perspective, both the marina and the beach, both in the city!
Where to shop
1) El Corte Ingles El Corte Ingles is located in various parts of the city and is one of Spain’s most famous shopping centers.
2) Markets The markets are held every morning in the various districts of the city. Sunday morning is Do not miss the Market Plaza Redonda, in the historic center or the Central Market, open every day, to buy the typical food products.
3) Calle Colon Calle Colon is the shopping street par excellence, with many shops, cafes and restaurants.