Valencia enjoys a rich heritage dating back to the Roman period. While the beach is one of its most attractive features, the city boasts some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. Valencia’s charm is in its eclectic combination of the old and new.

Avant-garde architecture

Valencia Football Club New Stadium

The new Stadium for the Valencia Football Club will replace the famous Mestalla Stadium where it has been playing since the 1920’s. Reid Architecture’s Spanish branch, Reid Fenwick Asociados, is behind the design for Valencia’s new football home and the new stadium is due to open in 2009-2010 football season.

The exterior is modelled on Valencia city itself, with the Turia River and each neighbourhood individually represented in large perforated aluminium segments of the stadium façade. But this is not just about aesthetics — the skin also doubles as a ventilation system. It stands on one of the main routes into the city, and should prove a useful means of orientation.

• Location: Cortes Valencianas and Safor (See on Google Maps)

Veles e Vents

The building Veles e Vents (Sales and Winds) was the social focal point for the 2007 America’s Cup – the world’s premier offshore racing competition, staged in Europe for the first time in over 150 years. It was designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez and has been awarded ‘Overall Winner’ of the 2006 LEAF Awards for having made the most outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole. Located on the banks of the canal within the new area specifically built for the competition, this10,000m² four-storey building is composed of stacked horizontal planes that provide shade and views extending out to sea. It has facilities for the public and event VIP’s alike.

• Location: Muelle de la Aduana s/n (See on Google Maps)

MUVIM

The MUVIM building (Valencian Museum of Enlightment and Modernity) designed by Guillermo Vazquez Consuegra and inaugurated in 2001, is one of the best examples of contemporary architecture in Valencia. The building allows visitors to appreciate the play of light on three basic materials – concrete, glass and steel. The wide open spaces such as the hall, the Foyer and the Old City Walls Room offer a contrast between the interior and the exterior, between continuity and void.

• Location: Guillem de Castro, 8 (See on Google Maps)

City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is the largest cultural and leisure complex in Europe situated along the ribbon-shaped, dried-up bed of the Turia. An avant-garde venue for learning about art, science and nature in an enjoyable way. It comprises a large aquarium, a Science museum and the fantastic Palau de las Artes, a state of the art opera and classical music complex. This magnific work was designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, who is rapidly becoming to Valencia what Antoni Gaudí is to Barcelona. It was constructed on the former bed of the Turia River.

• Location: Avda. Autopista del Saler, 1-7 (See on Google Maps)

Palacio de Congresos

The Valencia Conference Centre, inaugurated in 1998, is a leading European conference venue that combines state-of-the-art facilities with an architectural celebration of this historic Mediterranean city. This emblematic space, a work by Sir Norman Foster, has turned into a model of contemporary architecture and an icon for the city.

• Location: Avda. Cortes Valencianas, 60 (See on Google Maps)

IVAM

Valencia occupies one of the top places on the Spanish art scene, thanks to the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) also located next to the former Turis river-bed. It is a Rationalist building desidned by the Valencian architects Emilio Giménez and Carlos Salvadores. It was inaugurated in 1989 with the goal of displaying modern art while promoting research and knowledge of 20th century art. Its programme of activities offers permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, talks, courses, workshops and publications.

• Location: Guillem de Castro, 118 (See on Google Maps)

Palau de la Música

The Valencia Concert Hall is one of the most emblematic buildings of the city. This modern building inaugurated in 1987 was designed by architect José María Paredes. One of its most distinguishing features is the glass enclosure which perfectly integrates with the gardens of the Turia. The Palau’s acoustics have been universally praised by the musicians and singers that have performed on its stage, such as Placido Domingo who said “the Palau is a Stradivarius”.

• Location: Paseo de la Alameda, 30 (See on Google Maps)

Fira València

Feria Valencia is the most veteran institution dedicated to the organization of trade fairs in Spain. Founded in 1917, it has 90 years experience to its credit. As far as size is concerned, Feria Valencia is the biggest and most modern exhibition centre in Spain, it offers ultramodern infrastructure for holding conferences and events in general. It is one of the top ten in the world with 231,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space. Located at just five kilometres from the city centre of Valencia, the exhibition centre is well connected to the national road system via the ring-road surrounding the city. It is also connected by road to the port of Valencia, and it is situated less than five kilometres away from the airport.

• Location: Avda. de las Ferias s/n (See on Google Maps)

Historic sites

Correos

Construction of the Central Post Office or Correos building began in 1915 and was finished seven years later. It was designed by the architect Miguel Angel Navarro, and its design is clearly eclectic, the dominant style at the time. The most noteworthy feature of the building is the main entrance. It’s set out from the rest of the structure and flanked by double Ionic columns and semi-circular arches, crowned with impressive allegorical figures on top. The building is found on central Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and serves as a reference point for passers-by. It’s well-worth stopping in just to buy stamps and mail off your postcards.

• Plaza Ayuntamiento, 24 (See on Google Maps)

Palacio de la Exposición

The Exposition Palace was built for the Regional Exposition held in Valencia in 1909. The most outsatnding feature regarding this emblematic building is that was raised in just 70 days under the direction of architect Francisco Mora Berenguer. Its style evokes a peculiar neo-Gothic image, combining the civil, military and religious architecture of the age. Nowadays, the palace’s two storeys contain various rooms used for special events.

• Location: Galicia, 1 (See on Google Maps)

Mercado de Colón

The Colón Market built in 1913 by the architect Francisco de Mora y Berenguer, is one of the most important buildings in Valencia from the Modernist period, showing fine skills from both industrial and craft fields. Inside there are cafés and restaurants.

• Location: Jorge Juan, 19 (See on Google Maps)

Mercado Central

The Central Market is another Modernist-style building created between 1914 and 1928. It is one of the largest markets in Europe housing 959 stalls. Its weather vane on top, known as the “Market Parrot” symbolises the hustle and bustle below.

• Location: Plaza del Mercado (See on Google Maps)

Estación del Norte

The modernist building of the North Train Station was designed by the architect Demetrio Ribes between 1909 and 1917. It boasts textures imitating ashlar stone and the decorative forms are more locally influenced, such as the Valencia Coat of Arms. The local agricultural diversity is conveyed through oranges, roses, orange blossom, etc. Valencian ceramics is employed in both exterior and interior ornamentation.

• Location: Xátiva, 24 (See on Google Maps)

Plaza de Toros

Valencia Bullring is a Neoclassic building made between 1850 and 1860. It has capacity for 17,000 spectators. The most important bullfights are held during the fallas and the July Fair. It is also a venue for concerts and meetings.

• Location: Xátiva, 28 (See on Google Maps)

Ayuntamiento

Valencia Town Hall is situated in the square which bears the same name “Plaza del Ayuntamiento”, a point of reference for tourists as well as local people. The Ayuntamiento was built in the 18th century. Outsatnding features of the interior are the elegant marble staircase, a Cristal Room and the Council Chamber. It is also house for the Municipal History Museum.

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento, right in the centre of the city, is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of the city. The tree lined square is overlooked by an impressive group of buildings. The buildings and fountain are lit up at night and many Valencians come here to cool off in the evenings and visit the many restaurants and bars in the area.

• Location: Plaza del Ayuntamiento (See on Google Maps)

Real Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken dates from mid 1600s according to the plans of Diego Martínez Ponce de Urrana. It is formed by an oval floor worked within a rectangle which is decorated on the exterior by using enframements and balconies. Halfway through the 18th century, it was adapted to the reigning neo-classical style by the architect Vicente Gascó. He also modified the lady chamber and the reduced crypt known as “la coveta” (little cave).

• Location: Plaza de la Virgen (See on Google Maps)

Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas

The Marques of Dos Aguas Palace, which is home to the “Gonzalez Marti” National Ceramics Museum, was an originally 15th Century town house which has undergone several alterations at various stages. The most important one started in 1740 when the house became the property of the Marquises of Dos Aguas, the Rabosa de Perellós family. Hipólito Rovira y Meri was the craftsman commissioned to turn the house into a palace with an abundance of balconies and stuccoes painted with marbling effect. The façade, worked in “Niñerola” alabaster, is a festive allusion to nobility completed by an arched alcove which houses an image of Our Lady of the Rosary, a brilliant example of rococo architecture with a wonderful Churrigueresque façade that looks like running water.

• Location: Rinconada García Sanchis, s/n (See on Google Maps)

Santa Catalina

The Church and Tower of St. Catherine was constructed at the time of the Reconquest by Juan Bautista Viñes. The 17th-century Baroque bell tower is probably its most outstanding feature for its beauty and grace.

• Location: Plaza de Santa Catalina (See on Google Maps)

Museo de Bellas Artes

The Valencia Museum of Fine Arts was created by Juan Bautista Pérez in 1683. He managed to create both an austere tone and a gracious baroque style. The museum is one of the most outstanding in Spain, thanks to its collection of the work of early Valencian artists; its collection includes Valencian school painters such as Hernando Yáñez de la Almedina, Juan de Juanes, the Ribaltas, Ribera, Espinosa, Vicente López, Sorolla, and Pinazo; and other artists like Velázquez, Bosch, El Greco, and Goya.

• Location: San Pío V, 9 (See on Google Maps)

Torres de Quart

The Quart Towers are prime examples of late-Gothic military architecture. It is one of the gateways through the walls constructed round the city by Pedro IV the Ceremonious in the mid-14th century. The work was done by Pere Bonfill and other master stonemasons who used a structure similar to the scheme of the castle of Castelnuovo in Naples. The outside walls of the towers still show the effects of the French attack on the city during the Spanish War of Independence. The towers were used as a prison in the 19th-century and today contain a Locksmiths’ Museum and spaces for special monographic exhibitions.

• Location: Guillem de Castro, 89 (See on Google Maps)

Torres de Serranos

The imposing Serranos Towers were other heavily defended gateway through the city walls into the old town. They were built in the 14th Century by Pere Balaguer with a pentagonal layout and is surrounded by a moat.

• Location: Plaza de los Fueros s/n (See on Google Maps)

Lonja de la Seda

The Silk Exchange constructed by the architect Pere Compte, is the most important civic building in the Valencian Gothic style, today listed as a World Heritage Site and one of the most revered buildings in Spain. It is a 15th-century indoor marketplace with a cathedral-like rib-vaulted ceiling, alabaster columns twisting and turning and comical gargoyles sticking out their tongues.

• Location: Plaza del Mercado (See on Google Maps)

Palau of the Generalitat

The Regional Government Palace is a late flamboyant Gothic building which was built in 1421 as the Royal Court building for the kingdom of Valencia. The palace is divided into three storeys, with rectangular windows on the ground floor, triple windows with columns in the main floor, and a gallery at the top level.The tower is decorated with classical pediment above its windows and Renaissance iconography. The entire building is crowned by a balustrade, adorned with masonry balls, imitating El Escorial. The most striking features of the interior of the building are the courtyard and the tower’s Sala Nova hall.

• Location: Plaza de la Virgen (See on Google Maps)

Valencia Cathedral

The Cathedral of Valencia was built between 1252 and 1482 on the site where the first temple of the Roman city was erected, and later, an Arab mosque. Every period it has gone through has left its mark in the interesting juxtaposition of styles laid over the prevailing primitive Gothic. The three entrances – Romanesque, Gothic and high Baroque – offer an excellent course in architectural style. On the exterior of the Cathedral, you will find the 15th century Apostles’ door. It is on this spot every Thursday at midday, that the Tribunal de las Aguas meets. This is an institution set up by king James I of Spain in the Middle Ages, formed by eight rural workers chosen every two years by Valencia farmers. Its objective is to administer justice in the scene of irrigation and the distribution of water from the Turia River. Above the main altar admire the dome and the elaborate recently discovered Renaissance frescoes of 12 angels playing a concert to the Virgin Mary.

The Chapel of the Holy Chalice houses the vessel traditionally considered to be the one Christ used at the Last Supper (for further information about the Holy Chalice in the Valencia Cathedral visit www.catedraldevalencia.es) It is also house for an interesting museum.

The Cathedral Bell Tower, The Miguelete, was started in 1381 and completed in 1418. The tower takes its name from the largest bell, called Miquel (Miguel). It rises to a height of 50.85 metres and it takes 207 steps to get the top of the tower which is rewarded by the splendid views of the city.

• Location: Plaza de la Reina (See on Google Maps)

Almudín

The Almudín, the first Gothic building constructed in 1307, was a place for business and a storehouse for wheat. Trade was of chief importance in the medieval Valencian economy. This city became the mercantile capital of the Mediterranean, the port of Castile, maintaining ongoing relationships with French, Italian and North African port cities. Valencian money was strong, and the city soon became rich, bringing about its cultural and artistic development. It is believed that the Almudín of Valencia was originally an Arab fortress, helping to defend the city at its most vulnerable point, today’s Salvador Street. Today it holds an exhibition room pertaining to the city council of Valencia.

• Location: Plaza San Luis Beltrán (See on Google Maps)

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