Gothic style monuments alongside new age avant garde buildings, a charming old town along with a modern city of arts and sciences, plenty of sunshine throughout the year, beautiful beaches and a vibrant gastronomic scene dominated by paella and oranges. Well, this is Valencia for you in a nutshell. Perched at the mouth of the Turia river in the eastern part of Spain, Valencia is the country’s third largest city. Dating back to as early as 138 BC, the city which was once a flourishing Roman colony was a major silk manufacturing hub in Europe around the 18th century. Since then, this busy port city has had added several feathers to its cap.
Eclectic Old Town
Travel back in time in Valencia’s old town where vintage charm and archaic vibes are unmissable. Historic squares, gothic monuments, medieval walls and heritage markets make this quarter worth a visit. Also called Ciutat Vella, the old town used to be the heart of the erstwhile Roman civilization and the area was fortified by massive walls. As you enter this district, the sight of the Quart and Serranos Towers is both imposing and magnificent. They stand tall and are timeless symbols of the ancient walled city of Valencia. The entry to the city was originally from these massive towers which are a great example of Gothic architecture. There were also used as a defence barrier and protected the city from intruders.
While La Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the main square of the old town, head over to Plaza de la Virgen which houses the renowned Valencia cathedral apart from the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken) and the Miguelete. The cathedral is quite literally the soul of the city and a powerful spiritual centre which dates back to the 13th century. The arresting structure borrows from a multitude of architectural styles including Romanesque, Valencian Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and even Neoclassical. Interestingly there is evidence to show that the site on which the cathedral is built was home to a Roman temple and also a mosque. Ornate sculptures, renaissance frescoes of the main altar and exquisite panel paintings are some of the key architectural elements of this monument. Unarguably, the highlight of the cathedral is the Chapel of the Holy Chalice or Santo Cáliz which houses the Holy Grail of Valencia which is an agate cup believed to be used by Lord Jesus during the Last Supper.
While in the old town do not forget to visit the Marques de Dos Aguas Palace whose stunning architecture replete with elaborate texturing and highly decorated sculptures on the outer walls is sure to leave you spell bound. This palatial mansion is today home to the National Museum of Ceramics and Sanctuary Arts. The Central Market with over 1000 stalls retailing fresh produce like fish, meat, fruits and vegetables as well as the silk exchange are other prominent landmarks in the old town. In the maze of tiny streets, you can find several shops retailing souvenirs and collectibles.
Futuristic City
If cutting edge design and contemporary architecture is your beat, the City of Arts and Sciences must be on your list. This scientific and cultural leisure complex is the brainchild of architect Santiago Calatrava and is full of iconic buildings known for their unconventional design and visual appeal. Bold lines, curvilinear shapes and complex geometries take centre stage whether it is the Hemisfèric (an IMAX cinema and planetarium, shaped in the form of a giant eye), Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (an interactive science museum in the form of a skeleton of a whale) or the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (an opera house and centre for performing arts). No trip to the City of Arts and Sciences is complete without a trip to Oceanogràfic which is Europe’s largest aquarium. It is a haven if you are fascinated by whales, sharks, fish, penguins, jelly fish, turtles, sea lions and other underwater creatures. Do not miss the engaging dolphin show while here!
Local Fare
Valencia is famous for its oranges as well as dishes like paella which is in fact Spain’s iconic dish. Typically, paella is cooked using chicken, rabbit, green beans, lima beans and tomatoes all cooked in spices like saffron and salt. Rice is added later and the entire dish is cooked in a flat, shallow pan. It is traditionally cooked on fire wood with some places using wood from Valencia orange trees. There are several variations including sea food paella and mixed paella containing both seafood and vegetables. Horchata de Chufa is a signature drink of the region made from ground chufa or tiger nuts. If you are a fan of cocktails, try the Agua de Valencia made with orange juice, cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and other liquors. Then of course there is tapas and churros which is a quintessentially Spanish experience you cannot miss. If food souvenirs are on your mind, do pick up Turron which is a native speciality of Valencia. It is similar to a nougat but has plenty of almonds and marzipan along with other ingredients like rum and raisin. Ramos which produces the famous turron in the city has a store in the centre of the old town.
