Not sure why there was a need for signs about "Safe Valencia" but this was the only thing I saw at the port with the city's name on it. It's the 3rd largest city in Spain and one that has a varied heritage. Founded in 138 BC as a Roman colony, it later saw Moorish rule begin in the 8th century continuing into the beginning of the 13th century, which left a lasting influence on the culture here. And just a note, if you were wondering who the Moors were they were Muslim tribes from North Africa who came to spread their religion through the Iberian Peninsula, while leaving their mark on the area’s architecture and agriculture also. We'll be seeing more of their influences in other ports.
The City of Arts and Sciences is a gathering place with various venues and some large pools. The building there at the end is the city's aquarium. It's the most visited spot in the City of Arts and Sciences. The bridge in front of it was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava who supposedly didn't like that that building was visited more than the ones he designed so he configured a bridge to partially obscure it.
These two beautiful and unique buildings are also Calatrava's work, the reasons for his jealousy. The one in the front is called Hemisferic and the one in the rear is the Valencia Opera House.
Along one side of this pool is this building designed to look like a reef. It has 21 points on it for 21 reefs, signifying the 21st century, which is when it was opened.
The Opera House looks like a giant conquistador's helmet to me, at least from this angle. It has four main performance hall with over 1000 seats each and has a total of 12 floors.
This big white space that you can see here is this pool being refurbished. It's closed for two months every year while music festivals are being held here so that people don't get in the water. It will be filled again in a couple of weeks.
This structure is the oldest in the collection, having opened in 1998. One cool thing about Hemispheric is that when you look at it, with its reflection in the water, it looks like an eye.. This photo today wasn't the clearest so when
I saw this postcard of it lit at night that shows even better how it looks like an eye, I had to take a photo. And then I bought the postcard.
LeaAnn had to overexpose this photo for me to show up in it. You can see at this angle the building has morphed in its look to a space ship, or maybe even some kind of fish jumping out of the water. It really was one of the coolest buildings I've ever seen.
Off to the side in the City of Arts & Sciences is the garden. We didn't have time to go in and take a look around, except for Karl who wandered off but it would be a nice area to wander.
Although I have no idea what these blue tiled openings on the side of the garden represent I thought they were lovely.
Just a few random photos from
around Valencia.
This city still has a working bull fighting ring. Two or three times a year there are bull fights held here.
A highly decorative train station in Valencia.
One of the many churches in the Old Town as we began our walking tour. This one is the Plaça de Sant Agusti.
Street scene.
The Jardin del Turia is on the site of a dried out river bed. The park was created after the River Turia was diverted following damaging floods that occurred when it burst its banks in 1957. It was turned into the green space that it is today in the 1980’s. Within its 9 km (5.5 miles) are gardens, parks, greenery, fountains, cycling paths, and even 18 bridges that crossed the former river are still there, including one that dates back to the Middle Ages. It's a favorite with the locals and reminscent of Central Park in NYC.
And speaking of Middle Ages, here is the North Gate that was in the old city walls, which have been torn down except for this gate and one other. As you enter the arch there are spaces in the ceiling where rocks, or hot boiling oil could be dropped down on you if you are an enemy..
Here you can see the other side of the tower where the defenders could gather if needed.
Check out this cool old door in the gate.
And also these rain spots on the back of the gate.
In the plaza on the other side of the gate is this typical Spanish house with its wood balcony
Look for the red chair on the balcony on the left, then check out another street scene on the right.
Note here how high the door knocker is on this door. They were placed at this height to make it easier to knock on the door when you arrived on horseback.
Next we cam across the Turia Fountain.
One entrance to the Valencia Cathedral which has multiple entrances, this on is on the Plaza del Virgen.
Alongside the cathedral is the Basilica of Valencia, this pretty pink.
Looking down the side of the Valencia Cathedral towards its bell tower.
A sneak peek through another archway. There was some interesting stonework on the buildings in the next plaza over.
Old Towns have old doors so I had to take pictures of a few of them.
A closer view of another of the entrances to the cathedral. The Valencia Cathedral or St. Mary’s Cathedral includes various architectural styles including Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque, and where each of the three main doors are example of these different styles.
Multiple towers on the Valencia Cathedral.
The main entrance to the cathedral, the oldest part of this structure dates back to 762. It has obviously had multiple additions. It was built on the site of a Roman temple which in turn became a Visigoth cathedral, then during the Moorish period the site was a mosque, and eventually it became a Catholic cathedral.
They claim to have the Holy Grail, the chalice that Jesus drank from at the last supper there at the Valencia cathedral. I have to wonder how He would had something so fancy to drink from.
A quick selfie before we left. I loved listening to the bells chime the 11:00 o'clock hour.
Just a little Jasmine and an interesting palm.
You never knew what might be around the next corner in Old Town.
While it looks like the interior of a bull ring this is actually the fountain in the circular plaza called La Plaça Redona.
Every Thursday these ladies meet here to work on their hand lace or embroidery. Much of the gathering is just for the social aspect.
Space was at a premium as these buildings went up and good space still is, rents are high here.
Another church in Old Town.
And speaking of small spaces, look how tiny the building with the door on each floor is!
The Central Market has been around for dozens of years. you could find all sorts of produce and meats inside, as well as nuts and other treats. We went in to find some local horchata, which was excellent.
A close up of the entrance. This market is one of the oldest in Europe.
Live Statues are a thing in Spain. Karl wanted me to find a Euro coin to throw in this guy's hat so I could have a picture taken with him.
This one is just a tad creepy with the bubbles flowing from the bubble machine and the guy's creepy eyes.
Near the market is the Lonja de los Mercaderes which was completed in 1548.
Besides doors I took photos of door knockers, but this one with the dragon on it is my favorite.
There was a talented violinist playing for coins outside the Lonja. I like this photo of the bell tower and another spire.
On the plaza here as we walked away we noticed these creatures on the walls, the lizard, snail and cats.
It was unusual to see a moving weathervane but the one on the right was spinning. As you can see there were some interesting spires in other places as well.
Another of Valencia's fountains. They must not have the water issues that Barcelona did where all their fountains were turned off.
Karl and I in front of the Valencia City Hall.
Near City Hall is a huge plaza with more interesting buildings nearby, including
the first bank in Valencia.
We left Old Town to head back towards the port for our paella lunch. Valencia is the birthplace of this traditional Spanish dish. If it’s authentic paella everything in the dish will be local, including the rice! Traditionally the meats in Valencian paella are rabbit and snails, with the seafood version containing prawns and squid, a bit adventurous either way.
We ate lunch overlooking the ocean with Serenade in the distance.
La Malvarrosa Beach is the longest in Valencia. Karl went down to the water with Laura and Bob to put his feet in the ocean.
He felt like the water was super warm and he would have like to have spent half the day there.
Once we were back on Serenade I decided to photograph a few of the boats out sailing that I could see from my balcony. The tour today was a good one and that makes a lot of difference in deciding if a place you stop is one you'd like to return to. Valencia has definitely made our list for that!
Another good read !!
ReplyDelete