If you walk down La Paz street heading towards the Plaza de la Reina, you will see Santa Catalina church's beautiful and baroque bell tower. Once in the plaza, you can get a full appreciation for the beauty and ornateness of the church, contrasting with the sobriety of "El Miguelete's", the Cathedral bell tower. These two towers are, according to popular legend, husband and wife. Santa Catalina's origins date back to the time of Catholic conquest of the city, when in a demonstration of power over the conquered Moors, king Jaime I built wonderful structures throughout the city such as this one. Santa Catalina, known as a baroque church, is really much older. Behind the baroque façade and in the interior you will find an early Gothic structure.
Plaza de l'Almoina (or Alms Plaza) is a small square situated next to the Cathedral that has gained great importance for hiding some of the greatest archaeological treasures in the city. Excavation in Plaza de l'Almoina started in 1985. Four years later the former building called San Vicente's Jail was demolished, and to everyone's surprise they discovered important remnants of past civilizations: What appeared to be part of a Roman road, a Visigothic funeral chapel, Arab baths, and more. These are just some of the important finds in this plaza. In the archeological site on San Vincente Martir, you will find an audiovisual explanation of this plaza and its archaeological treasures in three alternating languages: Spanish, Valencian or English.
One of the most interesting bridges recently built over the old Turia riverbed, is the one designed by Santiago Calatrava. This bridge, with a futuristic look, greatly contrasts with its neighbor, Puente del Mar bridge. Valencians have dubbed the Calatrava bridge the "Peineta" (the typical Spanish ornamental comb), after the uncanny resemblance. The bridge, along with being a new and important landmark within the city, affords a privileged spot from which to watch all the firework displays during the Fallas festival, among others.
The San Juan del Hospital church is located between two of the most popular squares found in Valencia's old quarter: Plaza San Vicente Ferrer and Plaza de Nápoles y Sicilia. You can access the church from La Paz street. The building was originally gothic in style, though there are hardly any remaining traces of this early architecture left, though it is still an interesting visit. One noteworthy feature in particular is the Saint Barbara side-chapel inside.