At one end of this emerald corridor lies the brand new city of Science and Art – an ultra modern construction that emphasises the position of Valencia as one of the most forward looking and innovative cities in Spain.
Valencia is Spain’s third largest city. Situated on a fertile plain it has long been an attraction to settlers. Although there is evidence of Celtiberian and Paleolithic inhabitation, the first recorded indication of settlement dates from 138 B.C. when the area became an important roman garrison and colony.
Evidence of this comes from the discovery of coins that were minted here in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. The nearby port of El Grao, is a busy infrastructure that has ensured access to the Mediterranean and the city’s mercantile prosperity for many centuries.
The Moors ruled Valencia between the 8th and 13th centuries although frequent clashes with Christian forces meant that the city’s administration changed hands several times.
One of the most famous of these events occurred towards the end of the 11th century when a Christian general, El Cid, who was perhaps the most successful mercenary of all time, established his own protectorate here; an enclave of tightly packed Christians surrounded by Muslim dominated lands, and who professed allegiance to a distant king.
The story of El Cid, made famous by the 14th century poem ‘El Canto de Mio Cid’, is amongst the most colourful in Spanish history. His short lived domination of Valencia lasted until his death in 1099 after which time the city again fell under Islamic authority. Valencia was definitively captured in the name of Christianity by Jaime I in 1238.
Culturally, Valencia has played, and still plays its part to the full. It was the epicentre of the Valencian school of painting of the 16th and 17th centuries and continues to produce many extraordinary painters and writers. Its contemporary atmosphere promoting the artistic and cultural side of the human genius is celebrated in the many museums and exhibitions that populate the city.
During the Civil War between 1936 and 1937, Valencia became the seat of the Loyalist Republican government. Even today, the city gates of the Torres de Quart exhibit scars from the Nationalist guns that brought the war to a close.
Culturally, even though Valencia was built on centuries of tradition, it is full of the illusion of a young community. Apart from the many museums and exhibitions, the festivals that dominate the Valencian calendar are designed to emphasise the inventiveness of its craftsmen and citizens.
In particular it’s worth mentioning the Fallas (pronounced Fayas), held between the 12th and 19th March and timed to culminate on St. Joseph’s day, or father’s day. During these festivals large, intricately carved models, often characterising political and famous figures or mythical beasts, are paraded through the streets.
These are lovingly prepared by craftsmen all year round and are authentic works or art. After nearly a week of celebration the finale is the ceremonial burning of the fallas whose incandescent demise is initiated by young, traditionally dressed girls and is accompanied by tears and anguish for the fragility of illusion.
Green Valencia
Valencia is not only full of culture and history; the city also has a large number of green spaces in its urban centre.
The most recent, the Parque de Cabecera, covers 334,000 square meters. The dried out river bed of the Turia has been converted into a magnificent park with 10 kilometres of vegetation and facilities for athletics, baseball and basketball, cycle paths and a children’s play area built on a giant stone figure of the mythical Gulliver. The Jardines de Viveros is the oldest park in the city and served as a haven of peace, tranquillity and contemplation for monarchs such as Jaime I. nature areas, one mustn’t forget the Albufera de Valencia, an area of outstanding natural beauty, declared a Special Protection Area for Birds, by European directive in 1994.
And now, Valencia has its “green lung”, the Parque Central, right in the heart of the city. This project provides an important environmental resource, redevelops an extensive area of the city and reorganises the main rail infrastructure, putting the Madrid-Valencia highspeed train tracks, along with several rail and metro lines, underground.
Monuments
Some of the oldest buildings have been given a new lease of life and a change of vocation:
The Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas now houses the Gonzalez Martí National Ceramics Museum; the Mercado de Colón, a fine example of modernist architecture, has been refurbished and is now a commercial art gallery.
El Almudín, built in the 13th century for the warehousing and sale of wheat, now forms part of the Arabic legacy and offers art exhibitions.
“La Nau”, the oldest building of Valencia University is used as a library, has exhibition rooms and a centre for public and private events.
El Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes is currently home to the Valencia public library; La Cartuja del Ara Christi offers an events and activities service.
La Lonja is worthy of special mention as this civic building has been declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most famous monuments of gothic civic architecture in Europe.
Last but by no means least the Conjunto Catedralicio is one of the most beautiful groups of religious buildings in Europe, formed by the Valencia Cathedral, the Miguelete Tower and the Basilica de la Virgen.
Valencia is a forward looking city whose aspirations have created a culturally rich cosmopolitan space in which to live, work and play. At the same time, the city has managed to preserve the very best of an impressive heritage.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
In winter, the river Turia used to flow with devastating effect through the city of Valencia, capital city of the autonomous region of the same name.
