Valencia is a charming old city and the capital of the Old Kingdom of Valencia province of Spain that is well worth a visit. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea approximately 4 hours to the south of Barcelona and 3 hours to the east of Madrid. Valencia is famous for its Fallas festival in March, for being the birthplace of paella, for hosting the 2007 America´s Cup, and for the massive architectural project by Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences.
There used to be a river running through the center of the city but the river was redirected a while back and replaced by a beautiful park. This is a very nice place to while away any free time you have in the city on a sunny day.
Understand
Valencia is host of the 2007 America's Cup. This fact, along with the construction of the City of Arts and Science by renowned architect and Valencian Santiago Calatrava have made Valencia a city in transition. Massive construction and transformation over the last 10 years have turned a once little-considered medium city into a meatier and more interesting destination.
Despite being on the Mediterranean Sea, even residents say that "Valencia has always lived with its back to the sea", meaning that the spirit and the core of the city is not necessarily integrated with its beach. The city center and the most visited neighborhoods are not particularly close to the beach. This situation is changing considerably as much of the port area is being rapidly developed in preparation for the America´s Cup.
When to come
Language
Valencia's official languages are Valenciano and Spanish. In the capital of Valencia very few people only speak Valenciano and are not offended if addressed in Spanish. However, outside the capital, Valenciano is often preferred. As in Barcelona, be sensitive to this language dynamic.
English speaking skills of the locals can be hit or miss. Most people under 35 speak some English, and some quite a bit, but most would obviously prefer being addressed at first in Spanish (or Valenciano).
Get in
By plane
Valencia Airport (VLC) is 9 km from the city center. The bus to Tùria station departs every 11 minutes and takes about 30-40 minutes. Additionally there is the Aerobus which goes directly to the city center, but costs a bit more. Local trains run every 20 minutes. Subway goes directly to the town centre from the Airport. A taxi ride should cost around 10€.
By train
Many trains come from Madrid (eg: Alaris), Barcelona (eg: Euromed or ARCO) and many other cities. The main train station Estacion del Norte is located in the center of the city, nearby the Town Hall. Travel time by train from Barcelona Sants is about 3.5 hours.
The national train company is RENFE. You can check tickets and book online. The first time you buy a ticket online, you have to collect it from a station and show ID, the 'localizer' ticket code, and the credit card itself. Ticket staff are unlikely to speak much English. Saying in Castellano "Quiero recogerlo" (I want to collect it) and showing your documents should work. The big stations have a system where you get a number and then sit back and wait your turn.
By bus
There are also many buses coming from almost every big city in Spain and most of the cities in the Valencia region. The bus station is located by the river in Valencia, about fifteen minutes walk from the center.
Get around
For train and bus transport it is possible to buy bonos in kiosks and tobacco shops. Both Bonobus (which as of 2006 costs 5.60€) and Bonometro allow for 10 rides. If you want to use two lines to reach your destination, you have to use a B-T.
By bicycle
Renting a bike is increasingly becoming a popular way for visitors to explore this essentially flat city.
By foot
Aside from going to the beach and the City of Arts and Sciences, exploring the hub of the city requires no public transportation. Much of this city can be done walking, stopping for a coffee or a beer and then walking more, all very leisurely. It´s not necessary to have the mindset of mastering a complex public transportation system. However, for longer trips, see below for some pointers.
By train
The Metro Valencia consists of 4 lines (from which 1 is a tramway to the beach) and connects the suburbs with the city. As of 2006, a one way ticket costs 1.20€. This metro system is not extensive but can get you to major points within the city. If you want to get the tram, you have to buy a ticket from the machine, then validate it, before you get on the tram.
By car
By bus
EMT runs buses to virtually every part of the city.
See
Do
Fallas
Valencia has a fantastic festival each March called Fallas in which local areas build big papier maché models depicting... well, everything really. They are mostly of a satirical nature and can be as tall as a few stories. Fallas are constructed of smaller figures called ninots, valencian for dolls. The fallas take a whole year of planning and construction to complete. Each neighborhood has a falla, but 14 fall into the Sección Especial category and these are the most important, expensive, and impressive. Each falla has an adult falla(mayor) and a kid's falla (infantil). It is best to arrive by the 16th of March, as all of the fallas are required to be finished or the face disqualification.
Another feature of Fallas is the fireworks. God - those fireworks! You can't escape them. It's like the city's a war zone for a week - they wake you up early in the morning and go on through the day. Each day there is three fireworks events, la despertà, la mascletà and el castillo. La despertà occurs every morning at 8am and consists of setting of fireworks in order to wake you up. Each day at 2pm in the main square of the city, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, there's a thing they call Mascletá. This is 120 kilos of gunpowder translated into a lot of noise. It has to be experienced to be understood. This is very popular and you should arrive an hour in advance at least. Every night at either 12am or 1am there is a castillo and this is a fireworks display. The last night it's called la nit de foc, the night of fire, and this is the most impressive. This is also very crowded and you need to arrive early to be able to see it. Along with these displays, people set off fireworks all day making it very difficult to catch any sleep.
The days of the 17th and 18th or March is La Ofrenda. The falleras from each falla take flowers to the Plaza of the Virgin. These flowers are used to construct the virgin. The processions are grand and very beautiful and worth catching. They follow two main paths, one down calle San Vicente and the other down Calle de Colon.
At the end of a week displaying the 'fallas' they are burnt - which is fun. This is called la cremà. The fallas infantiles are burned at 10pm and the fallas mayores are burned anywhere from 12am to 1am. The one at the town halls is burned last at 1am. The most impressive to see are the fallas in Sección Especial cause these are the largest and most dramatic when they burn. These tend to be very crowded and one should arrive early.
Things one should do during fallas:
Things one should be aware of:
Other Events
Buy
Eat
Drink
A major nightlife destination in Valencia is the Barri del Carme. There are numerous restaurants, bars and dance joints in this area which tend to cater to a youngish crowd. There are no rigid boundaries and people tend to just go wherever appeals to them at that moment.
Other centers of are nightlife are Cánovas (more upscale), Juan Llorens (young also, less "alternative"), around the university (students), and increasingly in the area near the beach and port.
Traditional Regional Drinks
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Get out
Valencia (Valencia ; Valencian: València , Latin: Valentia , Arabic: فلنسيا ) is the capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia and its province. It is the third largest city in Spain and an industrial area on the Costa del Azahar in Spain. The estimated population of the city of Valencia proper was 807,396 as of 2006 estimates. Population of the urban area was 1,012,000 as of 2000 estimates. Population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,807,396 as of 2006 estimates. As of 2007, the mayor of Valencia is Rita Barberá Nolla.
Valencia has a Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers and mild winters.
Name
The original Latin name of the city was Valentia (/wa'lentia/), meaning "Strength", "Vigor". During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية Balansiya) in Arabic.
By regular sound changes this has become Valencia (/ba'lenθja/) in Castilian Spanish and València (/va'ɫɛnsia/) in Valencian. One possible pronunciation in Valencian /va'lensia/.
History
The city of Valencia, originally named Valentia, is in the region known in ancient days as Edetania. The Roman historian Florus says that Junius Brutus, the conqueror of Viriathus, transferred there (140 BC) the soldiers who had fought under him. Later it was a Roman military colony. In punishment for its adherence to Sertorius it was destroyed by Pompey, but was later rebuilt, and Pomponius Mela says that it was one of the principal cities of Hispania Tarraconensis province. The city was founded by the Romans in 137 BC on the site of a former Iberian town, by the river Turia.
The city has been occupied by the Visigoths, Moors and the Aragonese.
Abdelazid, son of Muzza, took the city and, breaking the terms of surrender, pillaged it. Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), 'the Cid' reconquered Valencia for the first time on 15 June 1094, turned nine mosques into churches, and installed as bishop the French monk Jérôme (this victory was immortalised in the Lay of the Cid). On the death of the Cid (July 1099), his wife, Doña Ximena, retained power for two years, when Valencia was besieged by the Almoravids, and the city returned to the Almoravids in 1102. Although the 'Emperor of Spain' Alfonso drove them from the city, he was not strong enough to hold it. The Christians set fire to it, abandoned it, and the Almoravid Masdali took possession of it on 5 May 1109. King James I of Aragon the Conqueror, with an army composed of French, English, Germans, and Italians, laid siege to Valencia, and on 28 September 1238 forced a surrender. 50,000 Moors left the city and on 9 October the king, followed by his retinue and army, took possession. The principal mosque was purified, Mass was celebrated, and the "Te Deum" sung. James incorporated city and territory into the new formed Kingdom of Valencia, one of the kingdoms forming the Crown of Aragon.
Catholic sources tell that Saint Vincent Ferrer preached so successfully (sometime between 1390 and 1411), converting thousands of Jews, that he was permitted to employ the synagogue for his newly-founded hospital of San Salvador.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Valencia was one of the major cities in the Mediterranean. The writer Joanot Martorell, author of Tirant lo Blanch, and the poet Ausias March are famous Valencians of that era.
The first printing press in the Iberian Peninsula was located in Valencia. The first printed Bible in a Romance language, Valencian, was printed in Valencia circa 1478, attributed to Bonifaci Ferrer. See Spread of printing.
Valencian bankers loaned funds to Queen Isabella for Columbus' trip in 1492.
War of the Germanies 1519–1522.
Expulsion of Moriscos in 1609.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Valencia sided with Charles of Austria. On 24 January 1706, Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough, 1st Earl of Monmouth, led a handful of English cavalrymen into the city after riding south from Barcelona, capturing the nearby fortress at Sagunto, and bluffing the Spanish Bourbon army into withdrawal.
The English held the city for 16 months and defeated several attempts to expel them. English soldiers advanced as far as Requena on the road to Madrid.
After the victory of the Bourbons at the Battle of Almansa (25 April 1707), the English army evacuated Valencia and the city subsequently lost its privileges or furs.
During the Peninsular War Valencia was besieged by the French under Marshal Suchet from Christmas day 1811, until it fell on January 8 the next year.
The last victim of the Spanish inquisition, a local schoolteacher called Cayetano Ripoll, was executed in Valencia in July 1826 accused being a deist and mason.
During the Spanish Civil War, the capital of the Republic was moved to Valencia, and the city suffered from the blockade and siege by Franco's forces. However, the postwar period was hard for Valencians. During the Franco years, speaking or teaching Valencian was prohibited (in a significant reversal it is now compulsory for every child studying in Valencia).
In 1957 the city suffered a severe flood by the Turia River, with 2 meters in some streets. One consequence of this was that a decision was made to drain and reroute the river and it now passes around the Western and southern suburbs of the city. A plan to turn the drained area into a motorway was dropped in favour of a picturesque 7 km park which bisects the city.
Valencia was granted Autonomous Statutes in 1982.
Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic America's Cup yacht race becoming the first European city to do so. The America's Cup match was to have place in June 2007.
On 3 July 2006, just days before a Catholic celebration to be led by Pope Benedict, Valencia was the scene of a subway accident in which over 40 people died. The investigation is still ongoing.
On 9 July 2006, during Mass at Valencia's Cathedral, Our Lady of the Forsaken Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI used, at the World Day of Families, the Santo Caliz, a 1st-century Middle-Eastern artifact believed by many to be the Holy Grail. It was supposedly brought to that church by Emperor Valerian in the 3rd century, after having been brought from Jerusalem by St. Peter to Rome. The Santo Caliz ("Holy Chalice") is a simple, small stone cup. Its base was added in medieval times and consists of fine gold, alabaster, and gem stones.
On 3 July 2007, Alinghi defeats Team New Zealand, and successfully defends the America's Cup. 22 days after, on 25 July 2007, the leaders of the Alinghi syndicate, holder of the America's Cup, officially announced Valencia would be the host city for the 33rd America's Cup, to be carried out on June 2009.
Architecture
The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. The Cathedral, built between the 13th and 15th century, is primarily of Gothic style but contains elements of Baroque and Romanesque architecture. Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La Virgen De Los Desamparados). The 15th century Serrano and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city.
UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in art deco style.
World-renowned (and city-born) architect Santiago Calatrava produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the center of the city. The Music Palace (Palau De La Música) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.
The cathedral was called in the early days of the Reconquista Iglesia Mayor, then Seo (from Latin sedes, i.e. (archiepiscopal) see), and in virtue of the papal concession of 16 October, 1866, it is called the Basilica metropolitana. It is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood. In Gothic times it seems to have been dedicated to the most Holy Saviour; the Cid dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin; King Jaime the Conqueror did likewise, leaving in the main chapel the image of the Blessed Virgin which he carried with him and which is believed to be the one which is now preserved in the sacristy. The Moorish mosque, which had been converted into a Christian church by the conqueror, appeared unworthy of the title of the cathedral of Valencia, and in 1262 Bishop Andrés de Albalat laid the cornerstone of the new Gothic building, with three naves; these reach only to the choir of the present building. Bishop Vidal de Blanes built the magnificent chapter hall, and Jaime de Aragón added the tower, called "Miguelete" because it was blessed on St. Michael's day in 1418, which is about 166 feet high and finished at the top with a belfry.
In the fifteenth century the dome was added and the naves extended back of the choir, uniting the building to the tower and forming a main entrance. Archbishop Luis Alfonso de los Cameros began the building of the main chapel in 1674; the walls were decorated with marbles and bronzes in the over-ornate style of that decadent period. At the beginning of the eighteenth century the German Conrad Rudolphus built the façade of the main entrance. The other two doors lead into the transept; one, that of the Apostles in pure pointed Gothic, dates from the fourteenth century, the other is that of the Paláu. The additions made to the back of the cathedral detract from its height. The eighteenth century-restoration rounded the pointed arches, covered the Gothic columns with Corinthian pillars, and redecorated the walls. The dome has no lantern, its plain ceiling being pierced by two large side windows. There are four chapels on either side, besides that at the end and those that open into the choir, the transept, and the presbyterium. It contains many paintings by eminent artists. A magnificent silver reredos, which was behind the altar, was carried away in the war of 1808, and converted into coin to meet the expenses of the campaign. Behind the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is a beautiful little Renaissance chapel built by Calixtus III. Beside the cathedral is the chapel dedicated to the "Virgen de los desamparados".
Among the parish churches those deserving special mention are: Saints John (Baptist and Evangelist), rebuilt in 1368, whose dome, decorated by Palonino, contains some of the best frescoes of Spain; El Templo 'the Temple', the ancient church of the Knights Templar, which passed into the hands of the Order of Montesa and which was rebuilt in the reigns of Ferdinand VI and Charles III; the former convent of the Dominicans, at present the headquarters of the "capital general", the cloister of which has a beautiful Gothic wing and the chapter room, large columns imitating palm trees; the Colegio del Corpus Christi, which is devoted to the exclusive worship of the Blessed Sacrament, and in which perpetual adoration is carried on; the Jesuit college, which was destroyed (1868) by the revolutionary Committee, but rebuilt on the same site; the Colegio de San Juan (also of the Society), the former college of the nobles, now a provincial institute for secondary instruction.
Squares and gardens
The largest square is the Plaça de l'Ajuntament, which contains the town hall (ajuntament), a cinema which shows classic movies (La Filmoteca), and many restaurants and bars. This is where the noisy fireworks of the mascletà can be heard every afternoon during the Las Fallas.
The Plaça de la Verge contains the Basilica of the Virgin and the Turia fountain, and is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Around the corner is the Plaça de la Reina, with the Cathedral, orange trees, and many bars and restaurants.
The Turia River was diverted in the 1960s, after severe flooding, and the old river bed is now the Turia gardens, which contain a children’s playground, a fountain, and sports fields. The Palau de la Música is adjacent to the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences lies at one end.
Other gardens in Valencia include the Real, Monforte, and Botanical gardens.
Education
The city has four universities:
Economy
Valencia has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last decade, much of it spurred by tourism and the construction industry.
Port
Valencia’s port is one of the busiest on the Mediterranean coast and the first of Spain, handling 20% of Spain’s exports. The main exports are food and drink (the Valencian region is famous for its oranges), furniture, ceramic tiles, fans, textiles and iron products. Valencia’s manufacturing sector focuses on metallurgy, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding and brewing. Unemployment is lower than the Spanish average. Small and medium sized industries are an important part of the local economy.
Following the announcement that the 32nd America's Cup is coming to Valencia in 2007, the port underwent radical changes in which the port was divided into two parts, one part remaining unchanged while the other section would be used exclusively for the America's Cup festivities. The two sections are now divided by a wall that goes deep into the water in an attempt to maintain clean water for the America's Cup side.
Tourism
Formerly an industrial city, Valencia saw rapid development that started in the mid-1990s, expanding its cultural and touristic possibilities, which turned it into a vibrant city, restoring old landmarks like the old Towers of the medieval city (Serrano Towers and Quart Towers), monasteries like the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery, which now holds a specialized library, the whole Malvarrossa beach, with the construction of a 4 km long paseo or complete quarters, like the old Carmen Quarter, which has seen extensive renovation.
Another appealing feature of the city is its numerous convention centres, like the Valencia Fair (Feria de Valencia), the Conference Palace (Palau de Congressos) and several 5 star hotels.
Additionally, Valencia is now hosting several world events.
The city of Valencia and the surrounding area are expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world given that the city of Valencia has been chosen to host the 32nd America's Cup. The first America's Cup competitions took place in June and July 2005 and were key attractions during the summer of 2005. According to official data from the organizing committee, as many as 150,000 visitors flocked to Valencia's port each day during the two-week events. The Swiss Alinghi Team, which choose Valencia as host city in the first place, has announced that if they win again, Valencia will be chosen again as the host of the 2009 America's Cup.
Also, on 10 May 2007, Bernie Ecclestone announced that Valencia will be the host of a urban circuit of F1, beginning in 2008, and on 1st June 2007 the contract was signed in the F1 headquarters.
Culture
Valencia is known for Las Fallas, which is a famous local festival held in March, for paella valenciana, traditional Valencian ceramics, intricate traditional dress, and the striking new architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences designed by its own son, architect Santiago Calatrava.
La Tomatina, an annual tomato fight, draws crowds to the nearby town of Buñol in August. There are also a number of well preserved Catholic fiestas throughout the year. Semana Santa celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colourful in Spain. Valencia has a metro system, the Valencia Metro. Valencia has a successful football club, Valencia C.F., which won the Spanish league in 2002 and 2004 (in which year it also won the UEFA Cup), and was a UEFA Champions League Finalist in 2000 and 2001.
Languages
The two official languages spoken in the city are Spanish and Valencian. Due to political and demographic pressure in the past, the predominant language is Spanish, as opposed to areas surrounding the metropolitan area in the province of Valencia. The local government makes sure it emphasizes the use of the local language. For instance, all signs and announcements in the Metro are in Valencian, with Spanish translations underneath in smaller type. In relation to street naming policy, new street signs when erected are always given the Valencian name for street (Carrer) however the older street names bearing the Spanish names are only replaced when necessary. This results in a situation where in longer streets both languages can often be seen on street signs.
Nightlife
Valencia is famous for its vibrant nightlife. In the 1980s and 1990s clubbers would follow the "ruta del bacalao" from Madrid to Valencia. Today, the more alternative/bohemian bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the Carmen, while the student nightlife is found around Blasco Ibanez and the more mainstream weekend nightlife has its clusters in the areas of Canovas and Juan Llorens. In the summer there is also nightlife on the beach and at the Port and Malvarossa Beach. Since the America's Cup is taking place at Valencia, new clubs have been opened and people from all nations go there to party every weekend. As is normal for Spain, nightlife does not take off until well after midnight. Agua de Valencia is the city's unofficial cocktail.
Food :
Valencia is famous due to its wonderful gastronomic culture. Paella, horchata, fartons, potatoe omellete, rosquilletas, iced lemon, squids, . .
Museums
Museums in Valencia include:
Transportation
Public transport is provided by the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) which operates the Valencia Metro and other rail and bus services.
Districts of Valencia
Gallery
Image:VALENCIA ES Lonja inside.jpg|The Llotja de la Seda
Image:Miguelete.jpg|Cathedral Tower : El Micalet
Image:Catedral valencia.jpg|The Cathedral of València
Image:ValenciaM2Aguas3 22-2-03.JPG|Marqués de Dos Aigües Palace
Image:Valencia ES L Hemisferic BIG.jpg|L'Hemisfèric, a 3-D Cinema
Image:Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències - L'Umbracle.jpg|Walkway
Image:Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències - El Museu.jpg|Museum
Image:ValenciaHemisphere2corr.jpg|The City of Arts and Sciences
Image:Falla egipcia plorant.jpg|A falla
Image:Paella callejera.jpg|A paella cooked in the street
Image:Horchata con fartons.jpg|Orxata with fartons
See also
External links
