Wonderful Valencia. Spain
Valencia is another unrecognized pearl of Europe. Actually it has everything to become a pride of Spain: medieval cathedrals, queer edifices, ancient traditions and even unique modern buildings. However not so many tourists come to see this amazing city. But let’s make a little journey to Valencia right now!
The major attractions of Valencia are concentrated in the ancient part of the city, with the Valencia Cathedral in its centre. If enter the Cathedral you will find the Holy Grail kept in its chapel, it is the only Grail recognized by the Catholic Church. Then let’s ascend to the bell tower El Migelete with a great panoramic sight of Valencia. Admire two splendid fronts of the Cathedral: from the blooming Plaza de la Reina, and from the central city square – Plaza de la Virgen. The latter is also a venue of the oldest court – Tribunal de las Aguas (The Water Court), which takes place every Thursday. The farmers come here to discuss the problems of irrigation of fertile fields around the city. The judgements of the Tribunal are always final and without appeal. It’s really interesting to witness and take pictures of this event!
Another «must visit» point on the Valencia’s map is the Valencia Silk Exchange. From outside it looks like an impregnable fortress, but as soon as you get inside, you see magnificent halls of a real palace! Be sure to visit its courtyard and enjoy its fountain in the shadow of orange trees, you can even eat one, if nobody sees you. In front of the Exchange building there is an ancient city market – Mercado Central. Despite its bright and colorful modern front, the Market is really worth-seeing from inside, because it’s traditionally delicious and picturesque.
The best way to spend a siesta time is to take a walk in the biggest city park, the Turia Gardens, stretched through Valencia for 9 km! Actually it is an old river bed and only 60 years ago it was home for river Turia. But after a destructive flood the course of the river was diverted for the safety of Valencia and its citizens. Then it was replaced by parks, football grounds and different buildings. Today it is amazing and charming place where you can not only walk through river’s bottom, but under its bridges or even take a bike ride.
Let’s finish our journey in the most modern corner of Valencia – the City of Arts and Sciences. This enormous complex includes several objects: opera-house, cinema with planetarium, museum of science, oceanographic park and gallery with a garden. All these objects are separated by picturesque pedestrian paths and multiple pools. In the middle of one of the pools you can be frightened by a giant moving figure of dinosaur!
So it is time to say goodbye to a wonderful Valencia, but not to Spain. Look forward to new exciting photo-reports and article about this marvelous country!
