The origins of the Church of Saint Nicolas can be traced back to the 13th Century from where begins the long and eventful history of this religious site. The church, as it stands today, is a blend of two distinct architectural styles - the Gothic and the Baroque. From the outside, the church features a simple, understated design that is typical of 15th-century, Gothic architecture. Inside, the church is a visual feast, adorned from floor to ceiling in colorful Baroque frescoes that date back to the 17th Century. The Church of Saint Nicholas is a veritable treasure trove of ecclesiastical art and one of Valencia's most popular attractions. Stop by and enjoy a glimpse into the life of the church's patron saint, chronicled in artistic detail across the walls and ceiling of this historic site.
The stunning white avant-garde building is quite a site to see from afar. Designed and engineered by Santiago Calatrava, a Valencia native this building is truly worth a visit even if you do not plan to catch a show or performance. Reminiscent of the Sydney opera house, the building was meant to look like a ship. Here you can see mostly classical music performances and opera, and stupendous performances have been hosted here in the past, involving stalwarts such as Zubin Mehta and Placido Domingo.
An imposing Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedral of Valencia consists of three naves, a polygonal apse and monumental dome. Construction began in 1262 and finished in 1702, though before it was a cathedral, it was the site of a mosque and a Roman temple. The cathedral's three doors reflect the mixture of styles: the Palau (palace) door is archaic Romanesque mixed with primitive Gothic; the Door of the Apostles is pure Gothic, and the Hierros Door is Baroque. Every Thursday at midday, the Door of the Apostles is the site of the oldest tribunal in all of Europe, the Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Court), which resolves the conflicts arising over the use of water in the nearby fields. Another outstanding feature is the Gothic bell tower, known as the Miguelete, whose 207-step stairway takes you up to some of the best views over the city. The cathedral also houses the Catedralicio Diocesano Museum and the Santo Cáliz Chapel.
One of the only two gates to have survived the destruction of the historic city walls in 1865, the Torres de Serranos impress with their sheer enormity and grandeur of scale. Constructed between 1392 and 1398, this massive gateway served as the main entrance to the city and proved to be a fitting choice for ceremonial functions despite the fact that it was originally conceived of as nothing more than an imposing addition to the city's defenses. Designed by Pere Balaguer, the gateway was built upon a remarkable Gothic design, with ornamentations and embellishments that have withstood the test of time. From 1586 to 1887, the Torres de Serranos was re-purposed as a prison for nobility, and has been variously used ever since. Today, the monumental gateway is a popular attraction, is pinnacle affording those who brave the climb fantastic views of the city of Valencia. Composed of a pair of pentagonal towers with a common gallery and architectural nuances galore, the Torres de Serranos is still central to social life in Valencia, and is noted as the host of the opening ceremony of the Fallas each year.
The first of its kind in Spain, this totally white futuristic cityscape made up of enormous modern buildings is the work of famous local architect Santiago Calatrava. You'll find it in the Túria River Bed. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex spreads out over 350,000 square meters (86.4 acres) and consists of four different structures but related sections: the Arts Centre, Science Museum, planetarium and Ocean Park. Each of these are must-visit spots for tourists.
Lonja de la Seda, in Valencia is a civil building which was built during 1482 and 1548. The majestic and splendid, Gothic facade of the structure showcases the city's prime position as a center of mercantile exchange. A must visit tourist attraction, the UNESCO considered it as a World Heritage Site in 1996.
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.
The origins of the Church of Saint Nicolas can be traced back to the 13th Century from where begins the long and eventful history of this religious site. The church, as it stands today, is a blend of two distinct architectural styles - the Gothic and the Baroque. From the outside, the church features a simple, understated design that is typical of 15th-century, Gothic architecture. Inside, the church is a visual feast, adorned from floor to ceiling in colorful Baroque frescoes that date back to the 17th Century. The Church of Saint Nicholas is a veritable treasure trove of ecclesiastical art and one of Valencia's most popular attractions. Stop by and enjoy a glimpse into the life of the church's patron saint, chronicled in artistic detail across the walls and ceiling of this historic site.
L'Iber Museo de Los Soldaditos de Plomo is quite different from your regular museums in the way that the museum houses collections of war-time antiques from different times, with themes like Spanish guards, Battle of America, Hall of the Middle Ages, Corpus Christi procession, Antiquity room, Hall of Tapestries and more. The museum also houses a store from where one can buy collectibles and souvenirs.
This museum is part of the Centro Cultural de la Beneficencia. The cultural centre has permanent exhibition halls in which you can learn about the evolution of rural, traditional Valencian society's way of life. It also has temporary exhibitions on various ethnological themes. There is a specialized library, open to the public, which deals with ethnological and anthropological subjects, and the archives that accompany them. Apart from the cultural centre's activities (exhibitions, concerts, conferences), the visitor can participate in and make use of various didactic workshops and sound, photo and video libraries.
The Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología can be found in the La Beneficencia Cultural Center, which incorporates various museums and a gallery for temporary exhibitions on a wide variety of subjects. This cultural center is also quite close to the IVAM museum. This museum is where you will find the valuable pieces found on archaeological excavations undertaken by the Service of Prehistoric Investigation. It constitutes perhaps one of the finest museographic collections in Spain. Its exhibition halls trace the evolution of Valencians and their instruments from the Paleolithic to the late Roman era. The cultural center has a shop with a good variety of books and souvenirs, and a cafe. You can also enjoy the many concerts, conferences and other cultural activities held here the year round.
This park is close to the famous Ciudad Fallera (where they make the "fallas"). It's located on what used to be an orange grove, and a few of these trees have been conserved. Inside, there are a variety of recreational areas. The area dedicated to kids has some interesting attractions, a tarzan hut, footbridges, ramps, a fireman's pole and swings of all shapes and sizes. The park also has some sport facilities. Particularly outstanding is the open-air swimming pool, only open during summer months. Timings for some days may vary, please call ahead.