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 Buy fresh vegetables in an architectural masterpiece |
Plaza del Mercado 6 Valencia 46001 Spain +34 96 382 9101 http://www.mercadocentralvalen... |
One of Europe's largest markets and a masterpiece of modernist architecture, Valencia´s Mercado Central is a joyously lively, colourful and welcoming place to do your shopping. Visit in the morning and you'll see an astounding array of fresh produce attractively displayed in all the stalls. It opened in 1928 opposite La Lonja. It's a huge 8000 square metre expanse of steel and glass decorated with typically colourful Valencian ceramic tiles. Proud local architects Soler March and Guardia Vich even included the colours of the regional flag (Senyera) in its windows. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Xavi Calvo |
 Photo: Alan Moroney |
 Photo: Brett Emerson  |
 Photo: Fred Shively |
 Photo: Alvaro Munoz-Aycuens |
 Photo: bastir_2000 |
 Photo: Andrew Virnuls |
 Photo: Photocapy |
 Photo: raymondcox |
 Photo: Chelsea Van Manen |
 Photo: Dirk-Jan Hoek |
 Photo: Tim Cooper |
 Photo: Kevin Willison |
 Photo: Alfred Straaf |
 Photo: Martin Cleary |
 Photo: Dave Roberts |
 Photo: Anna Faherty |
 Photo: DaiLeeN |
 Photo: Ben Hartzell |
 Photo: El Soma |
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Journey to the future |
Avenida Instituto Obrero de Valencia, s/n Valencia 46013 Spain +34 902 10 0031 http://www.cac.es |
The first of its kind in Spain, this totally white futuristic cityscape made up of enormous modern buildings is the work of famous local architect Santiago Calatrava. You'll find it in the Túria river bed. The complex spreads out over 350000m2 and consists of four different but related parts: the Arts Centre, Science Museum, planetarium and Ocean Park. The science museum and planetarium are open to the public while the other buildings are still under construction. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: JCuerva |
 Photo: Sindy Nero |
 Photo: Carlos Mejía |
 Photo: Roberto Pastor Ortiz |
 Photo: Daniel Sancho |
 Photo: Andrea Dell'Amico |
 Photo: claudia nicolini |
 Photo: Mike Gibbs |
 Photo: Emilio Perez Araujo |
 Photo: Amanda Timms |
 Photo: Paul Latimer |
 Photo: Juanma Carrillo |
 Photo: Richard Hayter |
 Photo: comakut |
 Photo: miquelet |
 Photo: Marcos Castellano |
 Photo: Javier Martínez |
 Photo: Tamas Kooning Lansbe |
 Photo: Jean-Charles Eloi |
 Photo: Ariel Diacovetzky |
 Photo: Alex D'Agosta |
 Photo: Héctor Escudero |
 Photo: JOSE MANUEL MORCILLO |
 Photo: ilchicco |
 Photo: Anben |
 Photo: Elmar van Reijswoud |
 Photo: Mirjana Papez |
 Photo: James Hickford |
 Photo: BenChild.com |
 Photo: Pierre Blariau |
 Photo: Andreea Cojocaru |
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Panoramic Stairwell |
Conjunto Catedralicio Plaza de la Reina, s/n Valencia 46001 Spain +34 96 391 8127 |
It's worth climbing the 207 steps of the catedral belltower's spiral staircase to get the best views of the city. From nearly 60m in the air you can see everything around you, including the tower's 12 huge bells, the largest weighing 11000 kilos. The distinctive octagonal structure was built during the late 14th and early 15th centuries in a Gothic style similar to the belltowers in Lérida and Narbonne. Admission: (EUR 2.00) Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Manolo-lopez |
 Photo: Daniel J. Cartwright |
 Photo: Leif Eirik Skaue |
 Photo: Karina CW |
 Photo: Joao Alves |
 Photo: Charbel Stockmans Daou |
 Photo: bdmc |
 Photo: soonforward |
 Photo: Daniel Sun |
 Photo: Javier Terol |
 Photo: Jose Wendy |
 Photo: maic_her |
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Have a paella by the beach |
Paseo Marítimo, s/n Valencia 46011 Spain |
This is the place to come for an authentic paella and you can eat it on one of the outdoor terraces at the same time as enjoying the sun and the sea breeze. The long boardwalk has loads of restaurants to choose from and its a popular gathering point for locals all year round. As soon as the sun appears half the population makes their way down here. You can have a swim in the sea before or after lunch as well. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Diana Castillo |
 Photo: gnz_76 |
 Photo: Alberto Corujo |
 Photo: Andrew Hodges |
 Photo: F G Claramonte |
 Photo: freshwater2006 |
 Photo: David Chanzá |
 Photo: Arturo Moral |
 Photo: Nuria Padros |
 Photo: Jaime Monfort |
 Photo: Silvia Sebasti |
 Photo: RAFA-MC |
 Photo: Chiara Bonomi |
 Photo: elenenz |
 Photo: kayed1 |
 Photo: Ignacio Yrizar Fuertes |
 Photo: pablo olmos |
 Photo: Robert |
 Photo: flixxx7 |
 Photo: Priner |
 Photo: Zaniah |
 Photo: elmundoatravesdemisojos |
 Photo: Ricardo García de Marina |
 Photo: DarkShu |
 Photo: Pussy Galore2 |
 Photo: -Bea- |
 Photo: carlos Robledo. |
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Aesthetic delight |
Calle del Poeta Querol 2 Valencia 46002 Spain +34 96 351 6392 |
One of Spain's most beautiful palaces, it's a brilliant example of rococo architecture with a wonderful Churrigueresque façade that looks like running water. The imposing alabaster main entrance was designed by Hipólito Rovira and sculpted by Ignacio Vergara. The original building dates from the 16th century although it was completely renovated during the 18th. Have a look at the luxurious ballroom inside and visit the fabulous Ceramics Museum. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marialuisa Wittlin |
 Photo: máximo ros gonzález |
 Photo: Fran Gómez |
 Photo: José Luis Rodríguez |
 Photo: Alberto y Eva |
 Photo: Ali Spivak |
 Photo: David Vidorreta |
 Photo: Juan Écija (Xàtiva) |
 Photo: Laura_82 |
 Photo: Greta Polo |
 Photo: isidro2007 |
 Photo: Clara Moon |
 Photo: _Bekas |
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A secret, magical place |
Plaza Miracle del Mocadoret Valencia 46001 Spain |
You can only find this magical hidden corner of the city if you're not afraid to wander around the narrow winding streets of El Carmen district for a while. Start at Plaza de la Reina. With the cathedral straight in front of you, turn left along a short passageway and you'll come to Plaza del Milagro del Pañuelito. In the surrounding streets and alleys you'll find some lovely little craft shops along with stores that specialise in making mirrors and picture frames as well as a few good restaurants and cafes. The names of the streets remind you of the now-forgotten trades that were plied here, like tapestry makers, belt makers and scribes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: John Keogh, jv21.com |
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Legacy of war |
Calle de Guillem de Castro 92 Valencia 46001 Spain |
You can still see the damage caused to these tall, solid, Gothic towers by French artillery in 1808 during the Peninsular War. They were built in the 15th century by architect Pere Bonfill as an entrance through the medieval defensive wall. The road from here led to the town of Quart de Poblet, hence the name. They're now an official national monument. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: King Coyote |
 Photo: Fabian Gonzalez |
 Photo: Marlene Lokin |
 Photo: Antonio Zugaldia |
 Photo: Catuxa Seoane |
 Photo: Long LAM |
 Photo: Raúl García Carrero |
 Photo: dario lorenzetti |
 Photo: Ana y Dani |
 Photo: christian cardona suárez |
 Photo: Luis PF |
 Photo: mireia albero |
 Photo: Maya the Bee |
 Photo: creative4rent |
 Photo: Isaac Babbs |
 Photo: Joan R. Bellido |
 Photo: luzmayjan |
 Photo: Carlos Micó Reche |
 Photo: Tania |
 Photo: Arnim Schulz |
 Photo: PsySearch ॐ (( Free |
 Photo: Paloma Gómez |
 Photo: Jose M. Hortelano |
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A Gothic Gem |
Calle de la Lonja 6 Valencia 46001 Spain +34 96 352 5478 |
UNESCO World Heritage Site and unique example of Valencian Gothic-style architecture, this beautiful building is well worth a visit. It has stood amidst the hustle and bustle of Plaza del Mercado since being built in 1483 by Pere Compte. Its construction was financed by the city's merchants to become their headquarters for contracting and as a consulate for sea trade. It's often referred to as the merchants' house or the silk market and the structure is divided into three parts: the market itself, an interior garden, and the consulate with its turret. Admission: free Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
 Take a ride around town |
Plaza de la Reina Valencia 46003 Spain |
The quickest way to see all the city's sights is to take this modern double-decker bus with an open top through the streets. It's equipped with a multi-lingual audio system (headphones included) that describes the one-hour tour in eight languages. You start and end in Plaza de la Reina and travel through the old town, Túria riverbed and the Arts and Sciences Centre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Blanca Martinez Ribes |
 Photo: Bicchi |
 Recent innovators and promising young artists |
Calle de Guillem de Castro 118 Valencia 46003 Spain +34 96 386 3000 |
One of Spain's most important contemporary art galleries, its collection is spread out over two buildings: the Centro Julio González and the Centro del Carmen. The first is dedicated to the father of contemporary Spanish sculpture and contains nine showrooms. One is for Julio González's work, one has paintings and drawings by Ignacio Pinazo and the others show pieces by famous avant-garde artists like Tàpies, Chillida, Arroyo, Paul Klee and Millares, among others. On nearby Calle Museo, the second building shows temporary exhibitions of contemporary art by young local and national artists. The institute also has a souvenir shop, book shop, library, archive, educational workshop, photograph library and cafe. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |