The Netherlands - Alkmaar
Sights Valencia
6
1. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
2. Jardines de Turia
3. Mercado Central
4. L’Eixample
5. Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral and El Miguelete
6. Torres de Serranos
7. Lonja de la Seda
8. Estación del Norte
9. Museo Nacional de Cerámica González Martí
10. Casa-Museo Benlliure
Valencia – Art Nouveau meets Futuristic
October 29, 30 and 31 and November 1, 2016
Welcome to our first Spanish Blog. Back in the Netherlands it is like the song of the Mamas and the Papas,
“All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey” but here in Valencia the sky is still blue and there are oranges
hanging in the trees. First thing we do when we arrive at the hotel, is changing our clothes.
Valencia is in terms of population, the third largest city in Spain. It lies at the southeast coast in opposite of
the Balearic Islands.
The next four days we are going to explore the city and tell you all about it in our Blog.
A gaudir!
On the General Information tab you will find some information on weather, public transport, hotels etc.
1. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
The new eye catcher of Valencia is called Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It is situated near the harbor of
Valencia in the Jardines de Turia. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias means literally the City of Arts and
Science, it exists out of 7 buildings which were designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. The
futuristic buildings are surrounded by water and sculptures, the buildings give the city a modern and
international image. The construction was completed in 2009. The organic forms of nature stood model for
the designs of the buildings. In the buildings one can find the largest Aquarium of Europe, a museum of
Science, an IMAX theater and Opera building.
2. Jardines de Turia
We are walking through the Jardines de Turia to reach the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Due to a major
flood back in 1957, the city Council decided to lead the river outside the city and transform the riverbed into
a Park. In the 9 km long Park, one can still see all the bridges which crossed the former river. The Park is the
ideal place to practicing sport or to ride your bike.
3. Mercado Central
I am standing in front of the Mercado Central. It opened its doors back in 1928 and was built in an Art
Nouveau style. This large market hall is open from Monday till Saturday till 14.30 hrs. A large variety of fruits,
vegetables, meat and other products is being sold in the Market Hall. There is so much to see, smell and
touch. But don’t forget to look up to enjoy the magnificent roof.
4. L’Eixample
We are walking through L ‘Eixample, this district is famous for its Art Nouveau style houses and buildings.
The district runs from Calle Colón and the Avenida del Reino. There are many exclusive restaurants and
expensive boutiques. You will also find the Mercado de Colón which was designed by the architect Francisco
Mora Berenguer.
Mercado de Colón
Art Nouveau style houses
5. Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral and El Miguelete
Plaza de la Virgen is the most important and beautiful square of Valencia. The square is named after the
Holy Virgin Mary because she is the patron Saint of Valencia.
On the square you will see the Turia fountain and the Cathedral which was also built in honor of the Virgin
Mary. Next to the Cathedral you see the tower which is nicknamed El Miguelete. Valencia has had many
invaders, which you see reflected in the design of the Cathedral, this is a mixture of the Gothic, Roman and
Moorish architecture. Inside the Cathedral one can find religious Art and historical relics.
El Miguelete was built in 1539, it is possible to climb the tower, it has 207 steps but the view is fantastic.
6. Torres de Serranos
The old still existing city gate is called Torres de Serranos. This gothic building was built in 1397, it took
several years to build it because of the thickness of the walls. From 1586 until 1887 it was used as prison for
the rich criminals.
7. Lonja de la Seda
The Lonja de la Seda is the historical silk exchange of Valencia. Because of its strategic location a lot of trade
was conducted in Valencia. For that reason Valencia has always been a rich and prosperous city throughout
the centuries. The Lonja de la Seda was built back in 1482 and was not only used as a silk exchange but also
as a place where merchants handle their financial matters. It exists out of three parts, after entering the
main entrance one comes into the most impressive hall which is decorated with pillars which are carved in
the form of palm trees, also the floors and ceilings of the other parts of the building are very beautiful. The
building was put on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1996.
8. Estación del Norte
The name of the most important railway station of Valencia is a bite misleading because the station is
situated at the south side of the city center. It was built in 1917 in the Art Nouveau style. The façade has
beautiful reliefs in the form of oranges. On top of the building an eagle keeps the watch, this eagle is the
symbol for speed. Inside the building is richly decorated with trencadis. Trencadis are mosaic made out of
ceramic shards which are laid in a layer of plaster. Also if you don’t have to catch the train, it is worth visiting!
9 + 10 Museums
During our stay, we have visited two museums.
1. Museo Nacional de Cerámica González Martí
These were two birds with one stone. The ceramic museum is namely situated in the Palacio del Marqués de
Dos Aguas. The making of ceramic goes back to the Moorish occupation. Valencia is famous for its ceramic.
The museum gives you an impression of the development of the ceramic throughout the centuries.
Above the main entrance you see an alabaster reliefs, it represents an allegory of the rivers Turia and Júcan
and the Holy Virgin Mary, the patron of the family. Inside the house, one gets a good picture of the wealth
and living conditions of the family. The rooms are richly decorated with furniture and art.
Address and visiting hours:
Calle Poeta Querol
Tuesday – Saturday 10-14 and 16-20 hrs
entrance fee € 3,-
Sunday 10-14 hrs and public holidays
entrance fee € 0,-
2. Casa-Museo Benlliure
The Benlliure family formed an important art historical family for the city of Valencia. This famous artistic
family Benlliure has lived in this house, which is now turned into a museum. The eldest son of the family,
José Benlliure bought the house back in 1912. The ground floor has been preserved as if the family still lives
in the house. This gives a good and authentic picture of how people of that class lived in that time.
At the first and second floor you will see the paintings of José Benlliure and other fellow artists and the
sculptures of Mariano Benlliure.
Address and visiting hours:
Calle Blanquerias 23
Tuesday – Saturday 10-14 and 15-19 hrs
entrance fee € 2,-
Sunday 10-15 hrs and public holidays
entrance fee € 0,-
Casa-Museo Benlliure
Tip 1: To dip a sweet farton into a glass of horchata/orxata. Horchata or Orxata how the inhabitants of
Valencia call it, is a traditional beverage made from ground almonds. The farton is made from flour, milk,
sugar, oil, leavening agent and eggs. The long, sweet and spongy farton is made to be dipped in your glass of
horchata/orxata. Gaudir del seu menjar!
Tip 2: Renting a bike to explore the city. In the city center there are special bike rent stations, where you can
throw some money in a machine and you can cycle away. There are special biking trails in the city center and
in the Park Jardines de Turia.
Tip 3: When you are in a bar try a glass of Aqua de Valencia, which is made from a base of cava (Spanish
champagne), orange juice, vodka and gin. Salut!
Hotel tip Valencia: For our stay, we booked a room at the AC Hotel Colon Valencia (belongs to AC Hotels
Marriott), the address is Carrer de Colón no. 6 in Valencia. This was a good choice, the hotel is situated close
to the Metro Xàtiva and the railway station Estació del Nord. Carrer de Colón is one of the main shopping
streets of Valencia. All the major attractions are within walking distance for example the Cathedral, Plaza de
la Virgin, Lonja de la Seda and Mercado de Colón. The hotel is modern, clean and well insulated, so you will
hear no street noise. If you are interested in this hotel, please check out here the availability and most
advantageous offers for this hotel, so you can directly book a hotelroom.
AC Hotel Colon Valencia
Valencia - Spain
Sights Valencia
1. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
2. Jardines de Turia
3. Mercado Central
4. L’Eixample
5. Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral and El Miguelete
6. Torres de Serranos
7. Lonja de la Seda
8. Estación del Norte
9. Museo Nacional de Cerámica González Martí
10. Casa-Museo Benlliure
Valencia – Art Nouveau meets Futuristic
October 29, 30 and 31 and November 1, 2016
Welcome to our first Spanish Blog. Back in the
Netherlands it is like the song of the Mamas and
the Papas, “All the leaves are brown and the sky is
grey” but here in Valencia the sky is still blue and
there are oranges hanging in the trees. First thing
we do when we arrive at the hotel, is changing our
clothes.
Valencia is in terms of population, the third largest
city in Spain. It lies at the southeast coast in
opposite of the Balearic Islands.
The next four days we are going to explore the city
and tell you all about it in our Blog.
A gaudir!
On the General Information tab you will find some
information on weather, public transport, hotels
etc.
1. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
The new eye catcher of Valencia is called Ciudad
de las Artes y las Ciencias. It is situated near the
harbor of Valencia in the Jardines de Turia. Ciudad
de las Artes y las Ciencias means literally the City
of Arts and Science, it exists out of 7 buildings
which were designed by the Valencian architect
Santiago Calatrava. The futuristic buildings are
surrounded by water and sculptures, the
buildings give the city a modern and international
image. The construction was completed in 2009.
The organic forms of nature stood model for the
designs of the buildings. In the buildings one can
find the largest Aquarium of Europe, a museum of
Science, an IMAX theater and Opera building.
2. Jardines de Turia
We are walking through the Jardines de Turia to
reach the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Due to
a major flood back in 1957, the city Council
decided to lead the river outside the city and
transform the riverbed into a Park. In the 9 km
long Park, one can still see all the bridges which
crossed the former river. The Park is the ideal
place to practicing sport or to ride your bike.
3. Mercado Central
I am standing in front of the Mercado Central. It
opened its doors back in 1928 and was built in an
Art Nouveau style. This large market hall is open
from Monday till Saturday till 14.30 hrs. A large
variety of fruits, vegetables, meat and other
products is being sold in the Market Hall. There is
so much to see, smell and touch. But don’t forget
to look up to enjoy the magnificent roof.
4. L’Eixample
We are walking through L ‘Eixample, this district is
famous for its Art Nouveau style houses and
buildings. The district runs from Calle Colón and
the Avenida del Reino. There are many exclusive
restaurants and expensive boutiques. You will also
find the Mercado de Colón which was designed by
the architect Francisco Mora Berenguer.
5. Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral and El
Miguelete
Plaza de la Virgen is the most important and
beautiful square of Valencia. The square is named
after the Holy Virgin Mary because she is the
patron Saint of Valencia.
On the square you will see the Turia fountain and
the Cathedral which was also built in honor of the
Virgin Mary. Next to the Cathedral you see the
tower which is nicknamed El Miguelete. Valencia
has had many invaders, which you see reflected in
the design of the Cathedral, this is a mixture of the
Gothic, Roman and Moorish architecture. Inside
the Cathedral one can find religious Art and
historical relics.
El Miguelete was built in 1539, it is possible to
climb the tower, it has 207 steps but the view is
fantastic.
6. Torres de Serranos
The old still existing city gate is called Torres de
Serranos. This gothic building was built in 1397, it
took several years to build it because of the
thickness of the walls. From 1586 until 1887 it
was used as prison for the rich criminals.
7. Lonja de la Seda
The Lonja de la Seda is the historical silk exchange
of Valencia. Because of its strategic location a lot of
trade was conducted in Valencia. For that reason
Valencia has always been a rich and prosperous
city throughout the centuries. The Lonja de la Seda
was built back in 1482 and was not only used as a
silk exchange but also as a place where merchants
handle their financial matters. It exists out of three
parts, after entering the main entrance one comes
into the most impressive hall which is decorated
with pillars which are carved in the form of palm
trees, also the floors and ceilings of the other parts
of the building are very beautiful. The building was
put on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1996.
8. Estación del Norte
The name of the most important railway station of
Valencia is a bite misleading because the station is
situated at the south side of the city center. It was
built in 1917 in the Art Nouveau style. The façade
has beautiful reliefs in the form of oranges. On top
of the building an eagle keeps the watch, this eagle
is the symbol for speed. Inside the building is richly
decorated with trencadis. Trencadis are mosaic
made out of ceramic shards which are laid in a
layer of plaster. Also if you don’t have to catch the
train, it is worth visiting!
9 + 10 Museums
During our stay, we have visited two museums.
1. Museo Nacional de Cerámica González Martí
These were two birds with one stone. The ceramic
museum is namely situated in the Palacio del
Marqués de Dos Aguas. The making of ceramic
goes back to the Moorish occupation. Valencia is
famous for its ceramic. The museum gives you an
impression of the development of the ceramic
throughout the centuries.
Above the main entrance you see an alabaster
reliefs, it represents an allegory of the rivers Turia
and Júcan and the Holy Virgin Mary, the patron of
the family. Inside the house, one gets a good
picture of the wealth and living conditions of the
family. The rooms a rich decorated with furniture
and art.
Address and visiting hours:
Calle Poeta Querol
Tuesday – Saturday 10-14 and 16-20 hrs
entrance fee € 3,-
Sunday 10-14 hrs and public holidays
entrance fee € 0,-
2. Casa-Museo Benlliure
The Benlliure family formed an important art
historical family for the city of Valencia. This
famous artistic family Benlliure has lived in this
house, which is now turned into a museum. The
eldest son of the family, José Benlliure bought the
house back in 1912. The ground floor has been
preserved as if the family still lives in the house.
This gives a good and authentic picture of how
people of that class lived in that time.
At the first and second floor you will see the
paintings of José Benlliure and other fellow artists
and the sculptures of Mariano Benlliure.
Address and visiting hours:
Calle Blanquerias 23
Tuesday – Saturday 10-14 and 15-19 hrs
entrance fee € 2,-
Sunday 10-15 hrs and public holidays
entrance fee € 0,-
Tip 1: To dip a sweet farton into
a glass of horchata/orxata.
Horchata or Orxata how the
inhabitants of Valencia call it, is a
traditional beverage made from
ground almonds. The farton is
made from flour, milk, sugar, oil,
leavening agent and eggs. The
long, sweet and spongy farton is
made to be dipped in your glass
of horchata/orxata. Gaudir del
seu menjar!
Tip 2: Renting a bike to explore
the city. In the city center there a
special bike rent stations, where
you can throw some money in a
machine and you can cycle away.
There are special biking trails in
the city center and in the Park
Jardines de Turia.
Tip 3: When you are in a bar try a
glass of Aqua de Valencia, which
is made from a base of cava
(Spanish champagne), orange
juice, vodka and gin. Salut!
Hotel tip Valencia: For our stay, we
booked a room at the AC Hotel
Colon Valencia (belongs to AC
Hotels Marriott), the address is
Carrer de Colón no. 6 in Valencia.
This was a good choice, the hotel is
situated close to the Metro Xàtiva
and the railway station Estació del
Nord. Carrer de Colón is one of the
main shopping streets of Valencia.
All the major attractions are within
walking distance for example the
Cathedral, Plaza de la Virgin, Lonja
de la Seda and Mercado de Colón.
The hotel is modern, clean and well
insulated, so you will hear no street
noise. If you are interest in this
hotel, please check out here the
availability and most advantageous
offers for this hotel, so you can
directly book a hotelroom.
AC Hotel Colon Valencia
Copyright 2016 CityWalkSights
