Valencia City of Culture
THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
This is a large leisure center for scientific and cultural dissemination that began its trajectory in April 1998 with the inauguration of the Hemisfèric. It´s surface area of 350,000 square meters has been conceived as a city within the city.
It is made up of a set of six areas located along the Turia riverbed. Designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and inaugurated in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture. The city is made up of the following complexes: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, a hall for opera and performing arts; Hemisfèric, Imax cinema and Planetarium; Umbracle, garden for strolling; El Museu
de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, museum of applied science; Oceanogràfic, openair marine park; Ágora, multifunctional space for holding events. Surrounded by
attractive swimming pools, the city is a place to relax and stroll.
CATHEDRAL OF VALENCIA
Construction began in 1262, on the site of the old main mosque, but it took several centuries to complete, so it mixes elements from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods. On the outside, it consists of the Puerta de l’Almoina (Romanesque), the Chapel of Sant Jordi, the first chapel where mass was held, the Obra Nova in Italian
Renaissance style, the Micalet - Miguelete in Valencian Gothic style, the Puerta de los Apóstoles, in French Gothic style and the Puerta de los Hierros, in Italian Baroque style.
As far as the interior is concerned, the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, the ambulatory, the main nave and side aisles in the Gothic style and the high altar are of particular interest.
SILK MARKET “LONJA DE LA SEDA”
One of the most emblematic buildings in the city, Gothic in style and declared a National Artistic Monument in 1931 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. It is a symbol of Valencia’s commercial prosperity in the 15th century. It consists of three distinct bodies: the Contracting Hall, the Tower and the Pavilion of the Consolat de Mar, articulated around the Patio de Los Naranjos (Orange Tree
Courtyard). In addition to the beauty of the building, the gargoyles and sculptures are very characteristic, with a large number of obscene and lustful images, as well as
strange creatures. The origin of these figures is not entirely clear.
CENTRAL MARKET
The building was inaugurated in 1928, but since the Middle Ages this square already had a commercial vocation with open-air stalls, supported by a building constructed for this purpose in the middle of the 19th century. This building
became too small and hence the need to build what is now the Central Market. It brings together more than 300 fresh products traders. It is the largest market in Europe dedicated to the specialty of fresh products and is the first market in the world to have taken up the challenge of computerized sales and home delivery. It is a delight to wander around the stands of fresh products and listening to the hustle and bustle of buyers and sellers. The market is an important economic focal point in the city of Valencia, both for the activity of the traders and for the numerous visits it receives and the events it organizes.