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Sightseeing in Valencia - Indian Chief Travel
SPAIN  |  Valencia, Spain Travel Guide
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Sightseeing in Valencia

Sightseeing

Valencia’s Catedral was constructed from 1262-1426 on the site of a Roman temple that had been converted into a mosque. It is a hybrid of styles. The main entranceway, the Puerta de los Hierras, is Baroque and named for its imposing iron gate. The Puerta de los Apóstoles, of Gothic design, opens out onto the Plaza de la Virgen, site of the Tribunal de las Aguas. This court was first initiated in the 10th century by the Moors to ensure that the town’s water supply was appropriately apportioned to the locals. It still meets at noon on Thursdays outside the Catedral. Inside, the octagonal dome, a mix of Gothic and Mudéjar elements, casts light on the transept of this cruciform church. Spanish cathedrals were traditionally shaped in a cross, with the long nave intersecting the choir or apse at right angles. This design is prominent throughout South and Central America and in the southern United States where Spaniards once established missions to convert the native Indians. Among the treasures in this cathedral are the Holy Chalice of the Last Supper, located in the Santo Cáliz chapel, and works by Goya in the San Francisco de Borja chapel.

The Gothic Torre de Miguelete is the Catedral’s bell tower. It is named for one of its 12 bells, which marks the hours and was first rung September 29th, 1418 to honor St. Michael’s Day. The octagonal tower rises 50 m (164 feet) above the church and is a proud city landmark.

Museo Catedralicio displays 15th- and 16th-century religious art including sculptures, altarpieces, metallurgy and canvases by Juan de Juanes and Goya.

La Ciudad de Las Artes y Ciencias

Looking like a futuristic space station that has been grounded, La Ciudad de Las Artes y Ciencias is billed as the “largest cultural leisure complex in Europe.” Not all of its ultra-modern exhibition buildings have been completed. L’Oceanográfic, once completed, will be an underwater city, a labyrinth of tunnels and salons surrounded by vast aquariums of various water habitats holding over 500 marine species. Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe is an interactive science and technology museum. Themes change on a monthly basis. L’Hemisféric, shaped like a gigantic human eye, incorporates a planetarium, an Imax theater and Laserium; spectators can enjoy three-dimensional movies or make virtual reality trips through the universe. Inside the long, tubular glass chamber of L’Umbracle is a walking path lined by gardens and the complex’s underground parking garage. The Palacio de las Artes, still under construction, will be a modernistic hall that hosts dance, operatic, and theatrical performances. It will serve as the headquarters of the Valencian school of cinematography, a school of scenic arts and as the Valencian music center.

Museu de Belles Artes is among Spain’s most respected fine art museums. On display is the work of Valencian artists dating to the 14th century, including Juan de Juanes, Ribalta, Espinosa, Vicente López, Sorolla and Pinazo. Artists from ouside of Valencia and Spain include El Bosco, Pinturicchio, Van Dyck, Murillo, El Greco, Goya and Velazquez, whose stunning self-portrait is on display. A sculpture exhibition contains numerous pieces by Mariano Benlliure.

Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno is a leading Spanish contemporary art museum with nine galleries hosting traveling exhibitions of 20th-century avant-garde pieces. Photography, painting and other modern art complement the permanent holdings on display by the 20th-century artist Ignacio Pinazo and sculptor Julio González.

Mercado Central is a bright, colorful modernistic building embellished with stained glass and fanciful ceramic mosaics. Dating to the early 20th century, it is one of the largest of its kind in Europe with nearly 1,000 stalls. Atop the central dome of the market rests a parrot, the cotorra del mercat, a popular symbol of the market. Walk the aisles and pick from a healthy selection of fruits and meats and then cross the street to the Lonja de los Mercaderes. Also known as the Lonja de la Seda (silk exchange), seen at right, it was built in the 15th century to handle the profitable silk and garment trade in Valencia. The massive rectangular monument is sectioned into three parts: the Salón Columnario (Hall of Pillars) is the largest area in the building, adorned with helicoid columns designed to symbolize twisted silk or ship ropes. A plaque high up in this hall reads, “Compatriots, you can see how virtuous is trade made with honest words, respecting the promises made to fellow men and exchanging money without unlawful interest. The merchant living this way shall overflow with wealth and will ultimately enjoy eternal life.”

El Torreón is the tower above the central chapel, constructed with a beautiful spiraling, snail-shaped marble staircase. El Consulado (The Consulate) was a later expansion in the Renaissance style. The tribunal of commerce was held here and later, during the 18th century, it would became the center of maritime trade for the Valencia region. The transactions that first began in 14th century under the guise of the Llonja de L’Oli (Oil Exchange) were resumed in 1934; since then, traders and industry insiders have continued to meet during sessions held every Friday.

Last updated January 12, 2012
Posted in   Spain  |  Valencia
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