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Valencia, capital of the province of Valencia, is
Spain's third largest city. The city is situated on the East coast in
the centre of the region. It is typically Spanish city and is known
for its exuberant nightlife and its vibrant atmosphere. It is the perfect
place to relax, have fun, and enjoy the lively Spanish atmosphere and
the friendly inhabitants.
History
The Greeks and the Carthaginians were the ones to
build the earliest settlements by the Rio Turia. In 138 BC the Romans
founded a city here and named it Valentia. The Romans began to build
irrigation systems for the area surrounding the city. Roman rule ended
when the Visigoths invaded.Then, in 709 the Muslims took Valencia and
the city prospered, they helped to develop the city into a rich agricultural
and industrial centre. The Muslims established ceramics, paper, silk,
and leather industries in the city.
In 1094, the city of Valencia and many of the surrounding
areas were conquered by Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a Christian nobleman.
After his death five years later, the Almoravids took over the city.
The Muslim rule ended in 1238 , by Jaume I, who lead the Reconquista
of Valencia. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Valencia became one of
the strongest trading and financial centres in the Mediterranean. This
was Valencia's Golden Age.
Climate
The Valencian climate is similar to the rest of the South and West of
Spain and the Mediterranean. Valencia is situated near the south of
Spain and so in the summer, the temperatures are very warm. In July
and August temperatures reach about 28-29 degrees. With humidity at
about 68%. During the winter, in January and December, the temperatures
are usually around 15-16 degrees and so it gets cooler but still remains
relatively warm.
Five
day weather forecast
City Sites
Cathedral
Valencia's cathedral is situated on the north side of the Plaza de la
Reina. It illustrates the city's architectural history. The museum of
the cathedral is said to be the home to the Holy Grail, a gold cup which
is said to have been used by Christ during the Last Supper. The museum
also contains some work by Goya and several religious icons. It is open
Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm and again between 4.30 to 6pm and
on Saturday from 10am to 2 pm.
On the South-west corner is the Miguete the Cathedral's octagonal bell
tower. It has 207 steps leading up a circular staircase to the top of
the tower where there are amazing views of the city rooftops and skyline.
Entry costs 100 pesetas and it is open weekdays from 10am to 1pm, and
4.30 to 8pm and weekends from 10am to 1.30pm and 5 to 8pm.
Museo de Bellas Artes
This is one of the best museums in Spain. The Museo de Bella Artes (Fine
Arts Museum) contains work by El Greco, Goya, and Velazquez and also
features artists from the school of Valencian Impressionists. There
are many different types of work from many different artists. Entry
to the museum is free and it is situated about 1km north-east from the
centre. You can get there on bus No11 from the Plaza de Ayuntamiento.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 2pm and 4 to 6pm and
Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
Palacio de Marques de Dos Aguas
This is one of Valencia's most popular attractions. It is a historic,
baroque, palace on the Calle Poeta Querol. It was rebuilt during the
18th Century and the façade is extravagantly sculpted and well
worth a look.
Day Trips
Sanguto
Sanguto is situated 25km north of Valencia. The town contains the remains
of a Roman theatre, Castle and the Templo de Diana, all of which have
been declared National Monuments. You can explore the Roman Theatre
that was built into a curve in the hillside during the first century
AD. You can also visit the old stone castle walls that wind for a kilometre
around the hill. The castle is mostly in ruins. It is divided in to
seven different sections to represent a different period in Sanguto's
history. These are both open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm
and 4 to 6pm. (7pm in the summer). It is also open on Sundays and Public
holidays from 10am to 2pm. Entry to both is free.
Morella
This is a small town in the north of the province of Valencia. It is
an amazing example of a Medieval Fortress. It is also one of Spain's
oldest continually inhabited towns. The towns walls are split up by
seven entrance gates. You can visit the castle ruins and take in the
outstanding view of the town at the top of the hill. The castle grounds
are open every day from 10.30am to 6.30pm and entry costs 200 pts. There
are three museums in the towers of the walls and on the outskirts of
the town you can find the arches of a 13th Century aqueduct.
Xativa
Situated 50km South of Valencia Xativa has an amazing history. The Museo
de l'Almodi houses a collection a archaeological artworks which includes
a splendid portrait of Felipe V which hangs upside down as he set fire
to the town. Between June and September it opens daily (except Monday)
from 9am to 2.30 pm.. At other times of the year it is open Tuesday
to Friday from 11am to 2pm and 4 to 6pm. It is open at weekends from
11am to 2pm and there is no entry cost. You can also visit Iglesia de
Sant Feliu, Xativa's oldest church, which was built in (1269). This
is open every day except Monday from 10.30am to 2pm and 4.30 to 7pm
(6pm in winter) and Entry is free.
Nights out
Valencia has an abundance of bars, restaurants and
places to go out at night. It has one of the best night life scenes
in Spain. The Barrio de Carme is the oldest part of the city and is
the best place to go out and party. The maze of streets is home to the
city's best collection of bars and pubs. Another place with a good night
life is the Cuitat Universitaria, the university area which is 2km east
of the centre. To get information about what is going on at the theatre,
cinema, where to eat and the night life you can buy Valencia's "what's-on"
guide ( Donde and Turia) at news stands for 150 pesetas.
Activities
Shopping
The main shopping areas are situated on both sides of the Plaza de Ayuntamiento.
However most upmarket shops are found in he ritzy areas to the east
or the north-east of the Plaza.
Special Events
Las Fallas
This is the main festival in Valencia and is known to be one of the
wildest festivals in the country. It takes place between 12 and 19 March.
It is a mix of fireworks, music, bonfires, and partying that goes on
through the night. The locals build 'fallas' - large sculptures, made
out of papier-mache, which are paraded through the streets. Some reach
up to about 15 metres and they are usually very colourful and funny.
There are many events that take place during this festival such as parades,
street parties, and firework displays. On each day at 2pm, a ten minute
fireworks display is held in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento. On the last
night of this festival, all the fallas are set alight and burnt.
Where can I find the….
Tourist Information
Valencia's main tourist office can be found on the Plaza de Ayuntamientos
and is open weekdays from 8.30am to 2.15pm and 4.15 to 6.15pm. and Saturday
from 9.15am to 12.45m. The telephone number is 351 04 17.
Banks
There are plenty of banks with ATM machines around the Plaza de Ayuntamiento.
There is also a currency exchange office at the El Corte Ingles department
store which is about 500m from the Plaza de Ayuntamiento on the Calle
Pintor Sorolla. American Express has a agency at Duna Viajes, Calle
Cirilo Amoros 88.
Post and Communications
The main post office in Valencia is on the Plaza de Ayuntamiento. It
is open weekdays from 8am to 9pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. There
is a Telefonica phone office at the Estacion del Norte train station
and it is open every day from 8am to 9pm. The telephone code for Valencia
is 96.
Airport Transfers
The Aeroport de Manises is 15km west of the centre
of Valencia. A taxi into the centre should cost around 1800pts.
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