Bed & Breakfast
Cities of Andalucia
Bed and Breakfast
Cities of Spain
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last update:
10-09-2010 16:00uur
Valencia
Valencia
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and capital of the Valencia
region.
In Valencia city live approximately 825,000 people and in the urban area
of Valencia live approximately 2,000,000. people. Valencia is located in
the eastern part of Spain on the Costa del Azahar and to the River Turia.
Valencia dates from the year 138 BC. and was founded by the Romans. One
of the most famous regional recipes from Valencia is the paella.
Valencia is the third economic engine of Spain, after Madrid and
Barcelona.
Recent History Valencia
In the year 1900 Valencia was quite extensive by demolishing the old
city walls and the construction of the new city district 'Ensanche. In
Valencia over 213,000 people were living and in the years following
large covered market were built in Valencia, and Valencia got its own
train station, "Valencia Estación Nord". This period of growth was
disrupted by the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. During the
war the city of Valencia was the capitel of the Spanish Republican
government and had strong lead in the fierce fighting. The time for
dictatorship that followed was a black period in the history of
Valencia. The Valencian language was completely banned and there was
strict censorship untill the death of Franco at the end of the 70's. In
1957 Valencia was hit by a severe flood, the water stood in some streets
more than 2 meter high. Due to this the river 'was diverted', and now
flows to the west of the city. In the '80s, the construction of the
Valencia Metro began . Besides the Metro of Valencia, Valencia also has
its own airport, annually visited by 5 million travelers, and a crowded
(hunting) port.
Las Fallas Valencia
Las Fallas in Spain is a nationally known festival, which lasts two
weeks and has its origin in the Middle Ages. Traditionally each year the
week before the March 19 the celebration, in honor of St. Joseph, starts
and attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over Spain. Each
neighborhood of Valencia has its own 'festival organization "called"
Casal Faller. The various "Casal Fallers' collect cash, by holding
festivals and various types of paella dinners throughout the year. With
this money each " Casal Faller " creates their own "falla ", which
consists of a huge paper mache doll , on a huge piece of cardboard or
wood and stuffed with fireworks. All these "fallas" live for only a big
parade and then got burned by the massive stand of the fireworks, what a
lot of noise and spectacle poses. The neighboring village Bunyol
attracts thousands of visitors for a big tomato fight, "La Tomatina".
Valencia gastronomy
Valencia's gastronomy is typically Mediterranean. There are many
Mediterranean fruits, vegetables, fish and shellfish eaten, and very
little meat. The main part of the Valencian cuisine is rice, the most
famous example is of course the paella, which also can be prepared in
hundreds of ways. A remnant of Arab culture in Valencia is the enormous
amount of sweets that are made in the Valencia region. The turrón, a
kind of nougat in dozens of variants is also obtainable from the
Valencia region. Turron is eaten throughout Spain during Christmas. Of
course, the famous mandarin oranges are also connected with the name
Valencia. The entire area orchards dominate the landscape thanks to the
excellent climate and can be harvested several times a year.
Valencia attractions
Valencia Water Court
Each Thursday, around half past eleven, at the gate of the Apostle
Cathedral of Valencia this tribunal handles conflicts between farmers
and users of irrigation canals. The tribunal, tribunal de les Aigues,
makes only oral statements but these statements are legal.
Valencia Cathedral de Santa Maria, Plaza de la Reina, Valencia
This cathedral was built in Valencia at the place where previously a
temple and a mosque has been. The construction began in 1262 and over
the years the cathedral in Valencia had been build. This is why this
cathedral combines various styles. The octagonal tower is to climb from
this Micalet one has a magnificent view of the many domes and towers
that Valencia is rich. The main part of the interior is the Chapel of
the Holy Grail, Capilla del santa Caliz. According to one legend, the
chalice made from agate is the one that Jesus used at the Last Supper.
Palacio de la Generalitat, Calle de Caballeros, Valencia
In this Gothic building in Valencia the parliament of the region of
Valencia is seated. By appointment you can visit the building which
includes a beautiful patio, an oratorio, the king room and a large
meeting room.
Lonja de la Seda, Valencia plaza del mercado
Exhibition center that was formerly used for trade in fruit and silk.
The Gothic building occupies the site of the old Alcazar of Valencia.
Noteworthy are the pillars of the building and the beautifully edited
ceiling in the hall of the seafood.
Palacio del Marques de Dos Aquas, Rinconada de Gracia Sanchis Valencia
In this house in Valencia is a ceramics museum housed. All major
ceramics centers are represented and on the ground floor is the
collection of carriages for the former residents of this building to be
seen.
Jardines del Real, Calle de San Pio5 Valencia
A large park with a small zoo in Valencia.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Valencia
The City of Arts and Science is a cultural and scientific complex in the
Spanish city of Valencia. The complex is located in the dry river bed of
the Río Turia. The complex consists the following five buildings, with
their Valencian names and surrounded by a park and ponds
El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía - Opera House
El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe - Science museum
L'Hemisfèric - Imax theater and planetarium
L'Umbracle - promenade and gardens
L'Oceanogràfic - open-air oceanographic park
El Carmen district Valencia
The district consists of narrow streets (tapas) restaurants, cafes and
some boutiques. Especially in the streets Calle Caballeros, and the
Calle Calatrava Bolseria is much hospitality. In El Carmen you can also
find the Plaza de la Virgen, the most beautiful square of the city.
Marina, America's Cup and F1 Valencia
The marina is a brand new entertainment area with some trendy nightlife.
The marina was specially built for the America's Cup in 2007. The event
was another important milestone in the development of Valencia to
metropolis.
The F1 race in Valencia should be similar to the one in Monaco. The
riders will race their F1 cars from 2008 until at least 2015 through the
streets along the harbor in Valencia.
