A walk discovering monuments and corners of the Old City of Valencia

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Plaza de la Virgen in the historic center of Valencia

He had not given a walk through the historic center of Valencia.

Being very young, in my first trip to Valencia I met those who are still great friends, and from there I traveled many times to the Levantine capital.

It was at that time when I met the historic center, of which I barely had vague images, specifically, of a trip coinciding with the festival ofFailures.

Exterior facade of the Silk Exchange in Valencia

A thunderous mascletá in the Town Hall Square; the flower offering in the square of the Virgin; and the popular Carmen neighborhood in a surprising state then semi-ruinous.

Then, although he has gone several times, I no longer visited the historic center ... until now.

Indeed, in my most recent trip to Valencia I have found a bright city, very careful, and that is when I have really discovered the great monumental attractions and the great atmosphere of its historic center.

It is the consequence of going with the wide eyes of a typical tourist 🙂

Valencia Town Hall Square

Nowadays Valencia has become a popular destination for tourists, many of whom arrive aboard large cruise ships.

During theguided tour of Valencia, I asked José, our guide, if the tourists who go to the city have knowledge of what they will find in their historic center. And the answer has been no.

Most of those they visit Valencia for the first time they arrive in the Levantine capital attracted by the architectural majesty of the City of Arts and Sciences.

Controversies aside, along with the great event of the America's Cup of large sailboats, this architectural complex has put the Levantine capital on the tourist map of Spain, as at the time of the Guggenheim museum made with the city of Bilbao.

Then, already in the city, it is when visitors are surprised by the historical Center, possibly without knowing that Valencia is in the list of cities World Heritage of the Unesco thanks to a gothic building as unique as the Silk market or his Water Court.

If you have not visited the city of Valencia, I will tell you that it is a large city, the third largest in Spain, but its historic center, where the monuments and corners of the city's long history are concentrated, is an area relatively small, very easy to walk.

Old City of Valencia

When you see a Valencia city map, it is very easy to recognize what the initially Muslim enclosure was, and then Christian during the Middle Ages.

It is what is known as the Old City, formed by a network of narrow streets, and where it is easy to see what was once a wall.

Modernist building of the North Station in Valencia

Of the twelve entrance gates that were in the Middle Ages you can still see the Serranos Towers, where you can go up and have panoramic views of the city, and the Quart Towers.

Of course, it was a city that, as usual in the Mediterranean, during its long history it was located some distance from the sea, although this has completely changed today.

And as an example, the celebration of the aforementioned America's Cup.

From this long story you have the first vestiges in the Almoina Square, behind the centralsquare of the Virgin and the Cathedral.

There you can see an archaeological site where remains are shown since Roman times. And in the so-called El Tossal Gallery, by Quart street, you can see a section of the 13th century Islamic wall.

Serranos Towers in Valencia

The Old City From Valencia by the north pretty by old channel of river Turia, which was diverted to a new and wider channel after the great flood that took place in October 1957.

At the present time in this old channel you find a longitudinal garden of six kilometers, the Turia garden, which extends to the facilities of the City of Arts and Sciences, and that is ideal for cycling.

It should be said that the main axis of the Old City From Valencia It is made up of three seats.

Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas in the historic center of Valencia

If you arrive in the city by AVE train, as I did, after passing through the beautiful modernist building of the North Station (it is worth stopping to visit), located next to the bullring, you immediately arrive at the Town Hall Square, the political and administrative center of the city.

What to see in the historic center of Valencia

What you see now as a large square, was actually a space that opened in the 20s of last century, after the fire of the old Gothic town hall, and after the need to build a new building.

In the square, the widest of the Old CityIn addition to the majestic town hall building, you will see modern buildings with insurance company emblems.

These companies were the ones that financed this urban remodeling, but above all the classic style building of the Palace of Posts and Telegraphs.

Columnary Hall of the Silk Exchange in Valencia

Very close, in the network of streets behind this eastern slope of the square, it is worth looking for the Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas, one of the architectural jewels what do you find in the historic center of Valencia.

It is a building that now shows a striking Rococo facade, and whose most distinctive element is the sumptuous main cover.

Inside you have the Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts.

On the way to the central bud of the Old City is where you find the aforementioned Silk market, or what is the same, the beautiful Gothic building of what was a market in the late fifteenth century.

Aessential in your visit to Valencia.

Valencian modernist architecture in the Central Market of Valencia

And in front, next to the standout Church of the Santos Juanes, another jewel, the Valencia Central Market.

It must be another essential visit for its beautiful modernist building that combines the large iron structure with ceramics and stained glass, and the great traditional market environment, being also the largest center of fresh produce in Europe.

Queen's Square in Valencia

You will soon arrive at the Queen's Square, ideal place for a stop to taste the typical horchata with fartones in one of the most traditional establishments of the city, the Horchatería The Century, founded in 1836.

Sitting on your terrace, it will surely catch your attention. bell tower of the church of Santa Catalina, a sample of the Valencian baroque.

Holy Chalice in the cathedral of Valencia

In this Queen's Square you can see the main facade of the Valencia Cathedral, building with a surprising mix of architectural styles.

Surrounding it you will see a Romanesque cover, and on the side of the square of the Virgin, the gothic door that every Thursday at 12 noon, for hundreds of years, welcomes the judges of the Water Court.

Inside the cathedral you should look especially at the spectacular Renaissance frescoes that have come to light after a reform initiated in 2004, and in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, with the only Holy Grail recognized recognized by the Church since 1399.

Cathedral and Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados in Valencia

I remind you that in 2016 the last one was heldJubilee Year of the Holy Chalice, which was a good argument to travel to the Levantine capital.

Square of the Virgin of Valencia

And you get to the aforementioned square of the Virgin, Maybe the heart of the Old City of Valencia?

Reasons has to be to concentrate monuments such as the cathedral and gothic door of the apostles (and don't forget theWater Court...), the gothic building of Palace of the Generalitat and the Basilica of the Virgin of the Helpless.

In any case, this square, with its Turia Fountain, makes up one of the city's icon images.

Museum of Fine Arts and park of the old Turia riverbed in Valencia

And as for museums? Right in the limits of the historic center you have two essentials and another highly recommended.

Museums in Valencia

First, the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia, which you find on the north bank of Turia gardenin front of Serrano Towers.

This is what is considered the second art gallery in Spain, and where you will see, above all, works by Sorolla and of the Valencian primitives.

But you also have works by Goya Y Velázquez, of Dutch, Flemish or Italian painting, and, of course, Spanish from different eras.

If you like contemporary art, you have an appointment with the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art), which has gained prestige for its temporary exhibitions.

Museum of modern art IVAM in Valencia

And a recommendation, if you have the opportunity (you have to anticipate it in advance of your trip), do not miss the very didactic and entertaining multimedia presentation The Thought Adventure, which develops in the MUVIM (Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity) that you find very close to the North Station.

Y what else to see in Valencia, already outside the historic center? I will make some recommendations.

Of course, you have to visit the City of Arts and Sciences and, if you like large aquariums, you must go through the shark tunnel in the nearby Oceanographic.

City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

If you want to see another featured Valencian modernist building, approach the central bourgeois and commercial district of Eixample

In that neighborhood you find theColon Market, where traditional stalls have been replaced by stores gourmet and for coffee shops with nice terraces

Continuing with nature, if you like animals, you should not miss the Bioparc. I have it pending for a future trip, but my fellow travelers who visited it were excited. There must be a reason.

And if you are looking for nature, of course an excursion to the nearbyAlbufera of Valencia, for which the service of the Touristic bus.

Traditional boat in the Albufera of Valencia

To finish this review of the historic center and other attractions of Valencia, some practical advice.

You don't need to take a walk in the center, but if you are going to make a wide visit of the city, it may be convenient to buy the Valencia Tourist Card, which will give you access to buses and trams, as well as museums and monuments.

Regarding accommodation, in the historic center you have two stylish hotels, the Monumental Adhoc, the first that moved the concept of a rural house to the center of the Valencian city, and Expensive Hotel, a five star in a palace with a very special atmosphere.

If you prefer to stay next to the City of Arts and Sciences, a very good option is the hotel Barceló Valencia.

Valencia tourist bus

And finally, in the gastronomic field, if you are looking for an excellent paella, you have it in Carmela House in the Malvarrosa beach.

If you are looking for elaborate cuisine but at more affordable prices, what better than Canalla Bistro of the Michelin starRicard Camarena.

And if you want the option of gastrotapas in an elegant restaurant, in Canvas.

Enjoy your visit of Valencia.

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Video: Seville, Spain walk in Santa Cruz "Old Town" (March 2024).