Suburbs of Valencia. Major cities and places of interest. Basilica of Our Lady Defender of the Dispossessed

Many tourists call Valencia the city of night lights, flowers and incredible architecture. In this place, modern architectural and historical lines are tightly intertwined. Valencia is such a big city that everyone can find entertainment based on their interests. In addition to the fact that there is something to see in Valencia, there are also good beaches.

Valencia: reference from Wikipedia

Valencia is one of the cities in Spain. It is located at the confluence of the partially drained Turia River into the Mediterranean Sea. Valencia was founded by the Romans in 138 BC. Historically, the city was considered the center of the textile industry and trade. Currently, there are many different industrial enterprises, which include Ford plants. Valencia - Old city, counts tourist center.

Description of the resort

Holidays in Valencia, in one of most beautiful cities Spain is an immersion in an incredible atmosphere, unforgettable impressions, delicious cuisine and a feeling of lightness. The warmest cities in Spain are Madrid and Valencia. If we compare all these cities with each other, then it is worth noting that Valencia is the most suitable for a family holiday.

About 800 thousand inhabitants live in the city. During the holiday season, hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year to look at the surroundings and sunbathe on the beaches. However, before traveling to Spain, it is recommended to check the weather forecast for your holiday. If the air temperature drops to 10 degrees above zero, then this is already considered cold for Spain. But for Russian tourists weather like this might seem like heaven after harsh winters.

As a rule, tourists go to Valencia to rest not only in the summer, but also during the New Year holidays. Having met New Year's holidays in Spain, you are provided with such positive emotions that you will never experience, approaching the standard for the Christmas holidays. The holiday season here lasts from May to November.

The air temperature in March in Spain already rises to 20 degrees above zero, which is very pleasant. It is worth noting that in Valencia there is a high humidity air, so you can easily get a bronze tan. Rains in Spain, as a rule, come in autumn or spring, depending on the characteristics of nature. Holidays in Spain will seem more comfortable and interesting if you do not plan it.

Attractions with photo

As mentioned earlier, Valencia is the province that successfully combines the modern and historical lines of culture and art. The city is actively developing infrastructure Catering and entertainment. There are dozens of attractions here that will leave only best experience about . Of course, to see all the delights of culture, one day is not enough.

Consider in more detail the list of attractions in Valencia, so as not to miss anything upon arrival here.

Natural attractions of Valencia

Cultural sights of Valencia

Museums in Valencia

Arriving on vacation in Valencia, it is worth highlighting one in order to visit some of the most interesting museums cities.

• Museum of the Fine arts Valencia. The Museum of Fine Arts was built in the early 17th century and served as an educational institution for the clergy. By visiting this museum, tourists can get acquainted with the culture and history of the city. Here you can also visit the halls of archaeological finds, furniture and household items of various historical eras.
• Museum Sciences named after Prince Felipe. The museum building itself looks very unusual. The building rests on 5 columns. The facade of the museum has a fully glazed façade. Inside the museum, you can see interesting exhibits, visit the Titanic exhibition, where you can learn about the history of the shipwreck.
• National Museum ceramics in Valencia. This museum is located in one of the ancient palaces of the city, which is called the Palazzo del Marques de Dos Avgas. The entrance to the museum is decorated with alabaster compositions with the figure of the Madonna.
• Oceanographic center of Valencia. This oceanographic center is the largest in Europe. Representatives of fauna and flora from all over the world are gathered here. Each ecosystem has its own separate building: in one of them you can see resting sea lions, in the other - tropical reptiles.

What is the best way to spend your time in Valencia?

The best way to get to know ancient city start with a sightseeing tour. It can be organized in two ways:

• On one's own;
• Buy a guided tour for tourists.

Please note that if you are interested in historical facts, then it is worth clarifying before buying a tour ticket whether the guide speaks Russian.

It will be a very interesting trip to tourist bus Valencia Bus Travel. This bus has 2 floors and travels past the city's most famous landmarks. Here, tourists can appreciate the virtuosic combination of historical architecture with modern buildings.

Outside of Valencia, there are also interesting sights. There you can actively spend time on the rides or take a walk in the savannah. Cultural lovers should definitely visit museums and exhibitions.

Arriving in Valencia, it is impossible not to try the local cuisine. Most popular holiday among tourists - beach. People often come here just for the sake of gorgeous beaches.

This city is considered the third largest and also the most important city in Spain, after Barcelona and Madrid. Despite the fact that all cities belong to one country, Valencia has a certain uniqueness, this is largely based on its location.

As I said a little above, the location of Valencia has greatly influenced the history of the city. For a long time, he suffered from incessant floods, which occurred due to the overflow of the banks of the Turia River, which flows through Valencia. One of the last floods was so strong that it was decided to move the channel outside the city.

The problem with floods was solved, but at the same time the question arose of what to do with the old channel. According to the information I collected, it can be said that the first decision was to destroy all the bridges, fill it up and establish a highway, but the residents of the city protested. Based on this, in 1980 the authorities decided to lay out a wonderful and simply incredible recreation park on this site, the area of ​​​​which is this moment is equal to 7 kilometers.

In this article, we invite you to get to know the sights of Valencia in more detail and find out how to get to them.

Turia Gardens Park

IN Gardens of Turia local residents and numerous tourists love to walk. The park is decorated with a huge number of flowers, dozens of fountains, hundreds of various trees, which contributes to relaxation.

A lot has also been done for lovers of active pastime, there are bike paths and jogging paths, various buildings for sports and even small ponds for bathing dogs.

I was in this park, and the impressions from it were simply amazing. In its upper part there is a Biopark, in other words, a zoo of a new generation, which simply has no equal. Its characteristic feature is the fact that visitors have the opportunity to take a walk through a completely accurate copy of the natural habitats of more than 250 species of various animals. South-East Asia and Africa.

At the bottom of the park there is an amazingly beautiful City of Arts and Sciences, created by the brilliant modern architect Santiago Calatrava. He designed and brought to life a real futuristic scientific and entertainment complex at the same time.

I want to draw your attention to the fact that only in this town you can visit such places as a huge planetarium, a museum in the form of a whale skeleton, a futuristic bridge, an amazing park with all the variety of local fauna, there is also an alley of sculptures, the Palace of Art of Queen Sofia and outdoor oceanographic park. All buildings very beautifully protrude above sea level in the originally located pools.

Gothic city

But in Valencia there is an opportunity to walk not only in a huge park with its science and entertainment center. No less popular Gothic City, at the entrance to which the ancient northern city gates are installed, which have their own name Torres de Serrano, they were built back in 1398. In the towers of these gates there is a museum on a maritime theme, it presents a variety of antiquities that at one time or another were found in sea ​​depths. I climbed one of the towers, the view that opens from there is able to amaze - all of Valencia, in full view.

Silk Exchange

Spain, more precisely Valencia is famous for its UNESCO cultural heritage site. This Silk Exchange, the construction of which began in 1482. In fact, it is a symbol of prosperity as a major shopping center. Initially, it was planned to erect buildings intended for the oil trade, but after some time the famous commercial tribunal Consolat de Mar, and also one of the largest banks, was located in the pavilion of the complex.

Mercado Palace and Central Cathedral

Among the vast number interesting buildings worth paying attention to Mercado Palace, which is filled with works of Art Nouveau, Baroque and Gothic. Concerning Central Cathedral, I personally liked it because each of its entrances is decorated in completely different architectural styles. As the locals say, it is here that the cup is kept, which is called the Holy Grail.

The Crypt of Saint Vicente is not for the faint of heart!

One of the most popular places tourist visits is Crypt of Martyr Vicente. I was personally attracted to visit this place opportunity to get a lot of adrenaline. The thing is that the crypt, located under the church, which has the same name, used to be a prison for those people who were the patrons of the city.

The authorities have come up with a fascinating and intriguing history of this place, and also made an excellent decision related to the introduction of an audiovisual tour, through which tourists will learn ancient history cities. You can get acquainted with the history of the Visigoth altars, Roman frescoes and Muslim artifacts. All this antiquity, together with the characteristic lighting, contributes to a constant flow of visitors. This place is very popular among those who love thrill, as well as for the most ordinary inquisitive tourists.

City of Science and Art

A little higher has already been said about such a place to visit as city ​​of science and art. Speaking about him in more detail, it can be noted that in one place his vision of the architect of the future space age was originally combined with the skeletons of animals. The whole complex is divided into five equal parts. The first is a huge opera hall with excellent acoustics. World stars give concerts in it. The second part is reserved for the largest marine park Europe. Here I enjoyed the incredible abundance of aquatic fauna and flora. It also has an ultra-modern 3D cinema that will entertain any visitor at the highest level. It is worth noting the presence of a science museum, which contains all the best achievements in this field. The last, fifth part is reserved for the "Greenhouse" giant size, which contains all the most rare plants, from all over the planet.

Plaza de Toros is an important national landmark

Plaza de Toros is one of the most favorite places for entertainment and recreation. In fact, this is a huge arena, which for several centuries has been giving its visitors a sea of ​​adrenaline and positive emotions. Tens of thousands of people come here to see bullfighting with their own eyes. This is just an unforgettable sight, which of all the rest will become the most memorable event. Bullfighting is an important Spanish holiday, it conveys the spirit of the country in its entirety!

Plaza del Ayuntamiento - picturesque square

Plaza del Ayuntamiento is one of the most picturesque and beautiful squares. Samples of Spanish architecture are concentrated here. Some of them are able to amaze with their forms, and in many cases with the creative approach of designers-architects. In other words, this is the real cultural heritage of the country.

This article will help the traveler not to be limited to tours offered by travel companies, but to diversify their vacation to the maximum. In order to be in time for everything, it is important to correctly allocate your time, as there may no longer be an opportunity to enjoy beautiful views.

Watch the video about the beautiful places of Valencia, we hope that after watching, you will definitely find yourself in this wonderful place in the near future.

Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, located on the east coast Iberian Peninsula on the shores of the Mediterranean. Here the old meets the new, in Valencia you can find the remains of a Roman colony and ultra-modern architecture. In addition, Valencia is home to the famous Spanish paella, intricate pottery and traditional Spanish costume, as well as several world-renowned music schools.

Top 10 attractions in Valencia

1. Bioparc Valencia (Bioparc Zoo)

Created in 2008, the Bioparc is owned by the city of Valencia but managed by a non-profit conservation foundation. The Biopark is located right next to the Turia Gardens and has a modern concept that animals look at people and not vice versa. Instead of separating animals from people with cages and railings, the Biopark uses natural landforms like large rocks, ditches and rivers. African animals are the highlight of the Biopark, although there are a number of examples of other ecosystems on Earth.

2. National Ceramic Museum

The National Museum of Ceramics (Fine Arts Museum of González Martí) is housed in a 15th century Rococo palace that has been converted into a museum. Main entrance topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary. The museum exhibits pottery from ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Arabic pottery, and pottery from prehistoric times. Also on display are traditional Spanish pottery and a range of contemporary works, including those by Picasso himself.

3. Malvarrosa Beach

Malvarrosa Beach is the main urban beach in Valencia. Malvarrosa beach, it's wide and open beach with fine sand along the Mediterranean Sea. Next to the beach is the Paseo Maritimo, a magnificent promenade where tourists and locals alike can enjoy walks beside the sea, rollerblading, jogging or a fine meal followed by a delicious paella with a glass of local wine.

The house of the famous Valencian writer Vicente Blasco-Ibáñez is located near the beach of Malvarossa, now the writer's house houses his museum with an exhibition of personal belongings and literary works.

4. Turia Gardens

Along the old course of the Turia River, lies another gem of Valencia that is not to be missed and impossible to miss. This is the central axis of the city, 9 kilometers of green belt surrounded by ancient walls and architectural structures.

After another major flood that claimed many lives, the city authorities of Valencia decided to redirect the Turia River in a different direction. So, on the site of the former floodplain of the Turia River, largest park Spain and one of the main attractions of Valencia. Now there is a solid green area, gardens, and playgrounds.

5. Plaza de Ayuntamiento

Plaza de Ayuntamiento is the central city square of Valencia. Around the square are located: the city hall and the main post office, the cinema institute and the Rialto theater. The square is decorated with a circular fountain with flowers and a statue of the hero from Valencia, Francisco de Vinata. To visit all the sights of Valencia be sure to book a city tour.

6. Valencia Cathedral

This ornate, hexagonal cathedral is the largest church in the city and its history dates back to the thirteenth century. The construction of the cathedral lasted almost two centuries. It is a combination of several architectural styles, and inside is decorated with many paintings and objects of the fifteenth century. Of these, the chalice of this cathedral deserves special attention, which is considered the authentic Holy Grail. The Cathedral is the main historical landmark of Valencia.

7. Oceanarium ( L "Oceanographic Aquarium)

This is the highlight of the city of sciences and arts. It is the largest of its kind in Europe, with over 45,500 different marine species. The aquarium is divided by geographic region into ten sections covering everything from the Arctic to the equator, with a particular focus on native species from the Mediterranean.

8. Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda)

Built between 1482 and 1533, La Lonja de la Seda was once used to trade in silk (hence its name, the Silk Exchange). La Lonja de la Seda is an exceptional example of a late Gothic secular building that is a clear illustration of the power and wealth of Valencia during the Middle Ages, when the city was one of the richest and most powerful in Europe.

9. Central Market (Valencia's Central Market)

This public market is one of the oldest European markets. It is open six days a week and is closed on Sundays. The modernist roof of the market building was built in 1914 and contains a number of beautiful stained glass windows. Shoppers can find gifts, souvenirs and groceries here. Fish deserve special attention.

10. City of Arts and Sciences

This modern architectural marvel is located near the Mediterranean coast, next to the Turia River. There are a number of futuristic and unique buildings along the water, including the famous oceanographic park, as well as L "hemisferic (planetarium), which resembles a giant eye, it can be opened and closed, and also contains an IMAX cinema, a science museum and an opera house.

Book a guided tour of Valencia and you will enjoy your visit to this ancient Spanish city.

Official website: www.cac.es

The sports arena of Valencia bears the name of the Mestalla and is the home stadium for the "bats" - this is the nickname received football club"Valencia" because of the bat depicted on the coat of arms. The football stadium was built in 1923 and today it can accommodate 55,000 spectators. Initially, in order to save money, the stands at the stadium were made of wood.

During its history, the Mestalla has gone through six renovations. The most global of them occurred after civil war in Spain - as a result of those deplorable events, the stadium was completely destroyed.

At the Mestalla, the Valencia club became the national champion six times, lifted the Spanish Cup seven times and won the UEFA Cup twice.

Cathedral of Valencia

The main shrine of the Valencia Cathedral is the famous Holy Grail. It dates from the 1st century, and was given to the cathedral by King Alphonse in 1436, and most historians recognize it as authentic, genuine.

Mass construction of Christian temples and monasteries began in Spain after the final expulsion of the Moors. The construction of the Cathedral of Valencia began around this time, and it not only quite safely "survived" to this day, but also became a real hallmark of the city, one of its main symbols. The main part of the cathedral was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. Subsequently, work was carried out on various alterations, the superstructure of the building, so the completion of construction dragged on for several centuries. That is why several styles are organically combined in the architectural appearance of the cathedral.

The dominant style in the appearance of the cathedral is Gothic, and there are also decorative elements of the Renaissance and Baroque. This combination makes the cathedral unique creation, which occupies a special place in the list of the most valuable objects of world architecture.

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Valencia Central Market

The Central Market of Valencia is a colorful apartment for many types of delicious fish, meat and other local delicacies. It's always noisy and loud here.

Architects Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler endowed the building with aesthetics. Glass domes that give the building mass sunlight, numerous colorful stained-glass windows, ironwork and fine ceramics turn the market into a work of art.

The area of ​​eight thousand square meters is full of life: coins are jingling, people are scurrying back and forth in search of all sorts of gastronomic amenities.

Lake Albufera is freshwater lake located on sea ​​coast. It can rightfully be considered unique place. It is no wonder that photographers love it so much, because the mirror-like surface of the water on a sunny day makes it possible to take amazing photos. Impressions will become completely unforgettable after a romantic boat trip, during which amazing views of beauty open up to the eyes of travelers.

A huge number of birds of various species live here, and green rice fields are spread around. The depth of the lake is not too great - on average about two and a half meters, and it decreases every year. For comparison, in the Middle Ages, the area of ​​​​the lake was almost ten times larger than the modern one. The reason for the drying up of the lake is the gradual drying of the surrounding lands. The Spanish government took him under guardianship, and the area around the lake was declared a protected area.

Port of Valencia

The seaport of Valencia is one of the largest in Spain in size, second only to Barcelona. It includes not only the city port itself, but also the nearby harbors of Sagunto and Gandia. On everything west coast The Mediterranean port of Valencia is the largest, it is through it that 20% of Spain's total exports are carried out.

From here you can go to Ibiza and Mallorca by ferry, which runs regularly. You can either start your ferry journey directly from Valencia or you can do it in small town Denia, located on the Costa Blanca, which is about two hours away.

Silk Exchange

Not far from the old city market is the world-famous Valencia Silk Exchange. It was built over a long period of time - between 1482 and 1553. Its name speaks for itself - for several centuries the building was used for silk trade.

The project of the "silk exchange" was developed by the architect P. Compte, who created the building in gothic style. True, connoisseurs of architecture notice that the main Gothic trend is diluted with elements of the Renaissance. This is due to the fact that the architect died before the completion of construction, and the student who continued the work brought a renaissance to architectural appearance without spoiling it at all. The building turned out to be very picturesque.

Entry starts with orange garden. After passing through it, visitors find themselves in the Main Hall, behind which is the Trading Hall, in which all transactions were concluded. This is a place with history, because it was here that sometimes very large sales were documented. On the second floor you find yourself in a room Maritime Council. From here, the maritime administration of the port of Valencia was carried out. The remaining rooms served to receive numerous guests - merchants and high-ranking persons. A cursory glance at them is enough to understand how luxurious the decoration of the premises was.

Fortress of Sagunto

The ancient fortress of Sagunto is located north of Valencia, not far from it, just half an hour from cathedral. The length of the fortress walls of this monument is about a kilometer. This is a unique architectural complex with an extensive history.

For the first time people settled in the area modern city Sagunto is still in the Bronze Age. The Iberians who settled here established excellent trade relations with the Phoenicians and Greeks. It was the Iberians who erected the first fortress walls on the hill of Sagunto. The conflict with Carthage and the capture of the city led to the outbreak of the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), which resulted in the Second Punic War in 210 BC. e. the city submitted to Rome and became its colony. At the end of the 11th century, Sagunto was among the cities liberated during the victorious procession to Valencia of the legendary Castilian knight Cid Campeador. Unfortunately, not for long, and the city again lost its independence. Only in 1238, after the capture of the city by King James I the Conqueror, Sagunto was finally liberated and became a fully Christian city. In 1931, the fortress of Sagunto was included in the list of National Monuments.

Inside the fortress is the city's Archaeological Museum with the richest collection of documents and other materials in Spain, telling about the most important aspects of the life of the fortress and its inhabitants for many centuries.

Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Valencia? .

National Museum of Ceramics

The chic Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas, built in the Baroque style, houses the National Museum of Ceramics. The museum exhibits in its showcases more than five thousand pieces of ceramics, most of of which was part of the private collection of Gonzalez Marti - he was a passionate admirer of ceramics. Some of the items in the collection date back to the thirteenth century.

The museum collected a huge amount of dishes produced in different countries: Chinese and Japanese porcelain are presented on the first floor along with Alcora ceramics and porcelain. On the second floor, ceramics by Picasso and Manies are located. Also in the museum you can see the Dutch ceramics. This beautiful place is very popular among tourists.

The most popular attractions in Valencia with descriptions and photos for every taste. choose best places for visiting famous places Valencia on our website.

Individual and group

In this very clean and green city, where the past and the present are intertwined, there is no usual city fuss. Medieval buildings with their secrets, paintings, unique architecture coexist with modern works worthy of admiration. beautiful beaches marked blue flag, will be a great start or end to the day. If you decide to visit this unique city, where lovers of history, music, and architecture will find entertainment, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the main attractions of Valencia.

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Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda)

The Silk Exchange was built in the 15th century. It has become a symbol of the Golden Age of the city. At that time, Valencia was European center silk trade and several hundred talented silk craftsmen lived here. Today Lonja de la Seda is inscribed on the List world heritage UNESCO. This is one of the stunning and preserved examples of Mediterranean (Southern) Gothic with Renaissance decoration.

Lonja de la Seda is very reminiscent of a medieval castle. The facades of the building have strict forms and are made of stone. The eye-catching gargoyles, coats of arms and other details, the impeccable proportions of window and door structures - all this is really impressive. You can find the Silk Exchange at market square(Plaza del Mercado). Doors for tourists are open daily, Mon - Sat from 9:30 a.m. until 19 pm. On Sundays and public holidays from 9:30 a.m. until 15 pm. Days off - 26.12, 01 and 06.01, as well as 1.05. The ticket price is 2 euros. On the last day of the week and on holidays, admission is free for everyone.

Museum of Fine Arts

This is one of the most visited museums in the country. It is located in the building of the former theological seminary of St. Pius V. Here is a collection of works by famous Renaissance artists from Europe (El Greco, Francisco Goya, Bosch, Velasquez, etc.), which is almost 2 thousand paintings, as well as the work of talented sculptors. There is no permanent exhibition in the museum.

For the storage of unique collections, special conditions are required, compliance with the temperature regime. After all, one has only to imagine the value of the work of Giovanni Piranesi. The museum holds about 800 engravings. Also, this place will be interesting to visit connoisseurs of contemporary art. The museum's address is C/ San Pío V, 9 and is open Tue-Sun from 10 am to 7 pm and Monday from 11 am to 5 pm. Free admission.

City of Arts and Sciences

The futuristic architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences complex, spread over 350,000 m² on the drained bed of the Turia River, is striking in its uniqueness. It includes:

• Palace of Arts named after Queen Sofia, similar to sea ​​liner as if flying out of sea ​​waters, includes 4 halls for 4200 spectators. Tour of the Palace of Arts - 8 € for adults
• The hemisphere is a fantastic structure resembling a half-open human eye looking out of the water. It serves as a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and an auditorium laser shows. Ticket price for an adult from 6.85€ to 8.80€
• L'Umbracle - a grandiose arched metal structure with a gallery of modern sculpture, a greenhouse and a garden with 5 thousand species of exotic vegetation
• the scientific museum of Prince Felipe, whose appearance evokes from the outside an association with a huge marine animal stretching for 2 km. In the museum, which occupies 4 floors, all exhibits are allowed to be touched. The ticket costs 8 €
• oceanographic park open sky, where half a thousand species of marine fauna live in two-level glass aquariums. Ticket price – 22.30 €

It is more profitable for a tourist to buy complex tickets. A trip to the oceanographic park and science museum costs from 23.70 €, a tour of the cinema, aquarium and museum - 37.40 €. Ticket offices are open from 10:00. The pavilions are open every day from 10:00 to 20:00 from July to September. In other months - from 10:00 to 18:00.

Science Museum - largest building, which is part of the architectural complex "City of Arts and Sciences". For 16 years (built in 2000) the museum has been visited by more than 25 million people. The famous architect Santiago Calatrava worked on the project. The whole structure looks quite massive. Its length is 250 m, and its height reaches 33 m. It is supported by 5 columns. Inside the room looks quite spacious, this effect is achieved due to the fact that the facade is made of glass.

Here you can visit the exhibition "Titanic", which will tell guests tragic story liner crash. But it will be interesting to spend time here not only for adults, but also for children, as a huge number of interactive exhibitions have been created here for them. The boys are happy to test a device that measures the force of kicking the ball. On the spot, you can compare which famous footballer has a kick of the same strength. There is also a separate room where you can watch how a chicken hatches from an egg.

You can move around the territory of the complex not only on foot, but also on a bicycle, and if you are tired, then on a special train. Experienced Tourists it is recommended to arrive an hour before the opening to take futuristic photos of this place. Address of the Prince Felipe Science Museum: Avenida del Profesor Lopez Pinero, 7. Opening hours: Mon-Thurs from 10 am to 6 pm, Fri-Sun from 10 am to 7 pm. The ticket price is 8 euros.

In the largest oceanographic center in Europe, which is part of the complex of buildings "City of Arts and Sciences", you can meet 500 species of various animals and 45 thousand fish from all over the world. Forget everything you have seen in other countries. This center is incomparable to any other. It covers an area of ​​110 thousand square meters, and the total volume of water in the aquariums is 42 million liters. Just imagine this scale!

There are several halls, each of which belongs to a certain geographical area. There is even a dolphinarium where you can watch an amazing show. You will also be struck by a tunnel 70 meters long. We highly recommend visiting this place. The center is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. In summer it is open until 20 pm, and sometimes until 1 am. The schedule can be checked on the official website. Ticket price (adult) - 28.5 euros, for children (4-12 years old) - 21.5 euros.

The Baroque Palazzo del Marques de Dos Avgas has housed a ceramics museum since the middle of the 20th century. The building itself was erected in the 15th century and is located in the city center. Even if you do not have time to view the exposition, and more than 5 thousand ceramics are collected here, then visit it to see with your own eyes the unique main portal made of alabaster. It is decorated with the naked bodies of the mighty Atlanteans, who personify the two rivers that washed the possessions of the Marquis - Turia and Hukar.

In addition to ceramics, here are kept: pieces of furniture from private collections, jewelry and glass works, leather items, paintings. Previously, the palace stables were located on the territory, today it is an exhibition hall dedicated to the carriages of that time. Address: Calle del Poeta Querol, 2. The museum is open Tue-Thu from 10:00 to 2:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. On Sundays and holidays it is open from 10 am to 2 pm. IN summer time night visit (only on Saturday) from 8 pm to 24 hours is possible. The ticket price for adults is €3. Children are free to enter.

20 km from the city is the stunning and picturesque Albufera Park, which is also called the "Paradise of Birds". More than 350 species live here! In the reserve, you can rent a boat and enjoy the beauty of the lake, you can also watch the feathered inhabitants of the park and even feed them. We also recommend trying fragrant and delicious paella from local rice at a local restaurant.

There are fish in the lake, but fishing is prohibited here. Tourists are offered 3 excursion programs to choose from. One of them includes a visit to the village of El Grau. You can get to Albufera Park by bus number 25 (EMT Valencia) and number 190b (MetroBus). Open for visits (October-March) from 9 am to 5 pm, (April-September) from 9 am to 6 pm.

The Mestalla is the stadium where the Valencia football team won the Copa del Rey in 1941. It was built in 1923. Today, 55 thousand fans can enjoy the game here, such is its capacity. During the civil war, the stadium was destroyed, but potatoes were planted in its place and scrap metal was collected. After it was restored in just two months. For more than 90 years of history, it has been reconstructed and modified 6 times. Tours are organized here for tourists. Stadium address: Avenida de Suecia s/n

Tired travelers can relax in royal gardens. This park was created to decorate the area around royal palace. The palace no longer exists, but the charm and luxury of this place for relaxing, walking and communicating with nature begins with the gate, on which the royal crown flaunts. This realm of nature, created by man, gives the weary traveler coolness and rest. Well-groomed lawns, beautiful flower beds, exotic plants are the components of this work of landscape art. On the territory of the gardens there is a biopark where you can see animals not in a cage, but in their natural environment, where they feel great.

biopark

Biopark in Valencia, the largest in Europe, is located in the northern part of the Turia River Gardens. It is called the prototype of the zoo of the future, where the natural habitat for animals was recreated on the territory of 100 thousand m². Here you will not find cages for animals. They are separated from contact with people by a chain of ditches, water barriers, mounds of stones, and in especially dangerous places by a glass wall. In the created ecosystems "African Savannah", "Madagascar", "Equatorial Africa" ​​there are 250 species of animals and birds numbering more than 4 thousand.

In the center of the zoo there is a 1000-seat amphitheater where performances are held with the participation of birds and mammals of the zoo. You can observe the habits of animals living in picturesque landscapes all year round, except for January, daily from 10:00 to 17:00, in summer until 21:00. A ticket for an adult costs 23.80 € and for children under 12 years old 18 €.

Museum of prehistory

The Museum of Prehistory and Ethnology of Valencia, located in the Charitable Cultural Center, is dedicated to human development. A modest three-story building houses many historical artifacts that arouse interest and surprise. The halls dedicated to the prehistoric era present exhibits found during excavations in Valencia and the surrounding area: Neolithic tools, household utensils that belonged to ancient Valencian artisans and peasants.

Part of the museum halls is devoted to ancient sculptures, coins of Valencia and Spain from ancient times to our time. Permanent exhibitions are complemented by exhibitions representing individual eras. The museum opens its doors to visitors daily at 10:00 and is open until 20:00, except Mondays. Ticket price - 2 €. Admission is free on weekends and public holidays.

Gate of Torres de Serranos

The medieval gate Torres de Serranos with towers has long served as the main entrance to Valencia. Being a Gothic monument of fortification architecture, they have been rising since the end of the 14th century in the area of ​​the former bed of the Turia River, where the ancient Roman gates used to stand. The grandiose stone structure is built in the form of an incomplete octahedron, with smooth sides facing the city. The over-gate gallery, decorated with medieval ornamental decor, connects the towers to each other.

A staircase leads to them from the side of the city. The flat tops of the towers are equipped with parapets and serve as an excellent observation platform to Valencia and the river. They annually announce the beginning of the fire festival - La Fallas. There is a museum in the towers, available for visiting: Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-14:00 and 18:00-20:00. Sunday and holidays - 10:00-14:00. The ticket price is 1€.

Gate Kuart

A national historical monument - the Kuart Gate, built in the middle of the 15th century in the city wall, for several centuries served as a reliable defense against enemy attacks and opened the entrance to the center of Valencia. The Gothic stone gate Kuart looks like a massive structure with an arch connecting two towers in the form of cylinders. Above the arch, where the angel used to flaunt, there is a relief image of the coat of arms of Valencia. The smooth surface of the tower walls keeps traces of shells received from the bombing of the city by Napoleon's army.

The upper part of the gate, which today serves as excellent viewing platforms, is surrounded by massive stone battlements, alternating along the perimeter of the fence. It is possible to enjoy the panorama of the city from the tower height from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00, on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:00. The entrance ticket costs 1€.

Botanical Garden

The botanical garden, founded in the 16th century, is the oldest natural attraction in Valencia. It spread out near watchtowers Quarta. For 5 centuries, 4,500 species of flora from all over the world have appeared in the garden, growing in the open air, in greenhouses and greenhouses. Here you have the opportunity to see many exotic trees, rare shrubs, creepers, tropical, aquatic and medicinal plants. The garden, filled with the aromas of flowering vegetation, is equipped with original recreation areas with decorative fountains, gazebos and a network of walking paths.

You can relax here at any time of the year: from May to August - from 10.00 to 21.00; in April and September - from 10.00 to 20.00, in March and October - from 10.00 to 19.00; from November to February - from 10.00 to 18.00. Tickets with audio guide services cost 3 €; to visit the garden - 2 €; for 10 visits, you can purchase a subscription for 6€.

Palace of the Generalidad

On the central square of the Holy Virgin, a government building stands out as a striking example of Valencian architecture - the Generalidad Palace, dating from 1421. He embodied in his architecture the late Gothic style combined with the Spanish Herreresco, Renaissance and Classicism. Halls of the palace are of great cultural value:

• the hall of the Cortes, intended for meetings of deputies, amazes with the skillfulness of frescoes and wall paintings depicting the deeds of the three departments of the Cortes
• The “Royal Hall”, used for solemn ceremonies and receptions, is decorated with portraits of the rulers of the city.
• The "Golden Hall", striking with a ceiling with gilded decor, made in the Renaissance style.

The impressions of the luxury of the rooms will be complemented by paintings by Valencian painters and art objects exhibited in other rooms. You can get acquainted with the masterpieces for free from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00.

City Hall Square

The decoration of Valencia is called main square Ayuntamento, distinguished by the shape of a triangle. Its main focus was the snow-white city hall building, the facade of which is richly decorated with statues, skillful stucco and columns. An interesting city coat of arms with a bat above the crown and marble female figures on the sides, personifying literature and art. Inside the city hall, the interior of the Crystal Hall with original stained glass windows and Bohemian crystal chandeliers deserves attention. Part of the halls is reserved for the Historical Museum with a large collection of works of art. You can visit the city hall from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 for free.

Along the perimeter, the square is surrounded by attractions:

• eclectic Palace of Communications with a glass dome, decorated inside with stained glass windows of 48 provinces of Spain
• Trade meeting, with a series of arches rising up from the balcony to the top floor
• Rialto Theater - a model of rationalism

The picturesqueness of the square is given by the abundance of flowers around the voluminous bowl of the fountain.

Queen's Square (Plaza de la Reina)

Queen's Square appeared in the center of the Old City in honor of the wedding of King Alfonso XII of Spain, held in January 1878. It comes out to her northern facade Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary with the main entrance - the Iron Gates of the Italian Baroque style. On the openwork carved facade, graceful columns with pilasters, statues of saints, an abundance of decorative stucco and reliefs admire. The luxury of the interior of the temple can be seen from Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.30, Sunday from 14.00 to 18.30. The cost of a ticket with an audio guide in Russian is 7 €.

Near the cathedral, the octagonal bell tower of Miguelete, a Gothic structure of the 15th century, rushed up to 68 meters. Climb on her observation deck, opening an amazing panorama of Valencia and the surrounding area costs 2€. Opposite it rises the bell tower of the church of Santa Catalina from the beginning of the 18th century.

Crypt of the Holy Martyr Vicente

The Visigothic chapel houses the oldest landmark of Valencia - the Crypt of the 6th century with the relics of the Holy Martyr Vicente, who was burned for spreading the Christian doctrine in 304 in Valencia by decree of the Roman emperor. This attraction is worth a visit while in Spain. It differs from ordinary crypts - semi-basements with tombs and crypts.

The crypt of San Vicente has been for a long time scary place prison confinement. The museum opened in the crypt is interesting with artifacts from ancient times found here during excavations. On the ancient walls, the remains of a Roman painting of the god Mercury, Roman and Westgonian ornaments are visible. A film about the life of St. Vincent is shown in the cinema hall. Museum opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00. Ticket price - 2 €.

Central Market

In the heart of the Old Town on the Market Square, there is a colorful two-story building of the Central Market, covering an area of ​​​​more than 8000 m². Its façade impresses with an abundance of colorful stained-glass windows representing the vast palette of Valencia's natural gifts. It draws attention with the openwork of wrought-iron lattices, separated by columns of arched windows, with decor that creates the illusion of tapestries. The highlight of the top of the building is a large dome over the rows of fish, crowned with a weather vane with a swordfish guarded by gargoyles.

A parrot sits on a weather vane above the fruit and vegetable rows. The entrance to the market is served by three high arches on columns, passing through which you get into the food realm, spread over 1500 covered streets with stained-glass windows, mosaics and ceramic frescoes on the vaults and walls. The market is open from 7.30 to 15.00 every day except Sunday.

Columbus Market

The Columbus Market adorned the Eixample district in 1917 with a grandiose, flamboyant Art Nouveau view. A feature of the structure was the construction of metal beams and bearing supports, creating an impression of weightless lightness with an openwork look. The reconstruction in 2003 turned the Columbus Market into a popular shopping and entertainment center with an area of ​​3.5 thousand m². The decoration of the red-brick facades is made with mosaic panels on rural themes and relief images of the products of peasant labor.

Inside the market is a huge gallery with beautiful interiors, divided into three central aisles. From floor to floor, visitors are taken by escalators separated by artificial bamboo thickets and a transparent wall-fountain. The market is open daily from 8:30 to 21:00, except for Sundays, when cultural programs take place here.

Church of Santa Catalina

The Church of Saint Catalina was built in the middle of the XIII century in the Gothic style. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt, adding Renaissance and Baroque architecture. On the main Baroque façade, only the arch above the entrance door and the statue of St. Catalina remained from the Gothic of the 14th century. Inside the church, there are strict dark sand-colored walls with mosaic images of saints on the vaults and colorful stained-glass windows through which charming lighting is created in the temple. The church is open daily from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 19:00 to 20:00, admission is free.

The 55-meter five-tier bell tower of the 18th century in the Spanish Baroque style belongs to the church. It is distinguished by beautiful bas-reliefs, spiral columns of the upper part and a dome topped with a figure of the globe. You can climb the spiral staircase to the observation deck of the belfry all days except Sunday, from 10:30 to 13:00. The entrance ticket costs 2 €.

Basilica of Our Lady Defender of the Dispossessed

The Basilica of Our Lady Defender of the Outcasts was built in the 17th century in the Baroque style. Its facade with two identical portals is decorated with Tuscan columns and pilasters. The sophistication of the building is given by the relief decor of windows and doors, a ceramic panel with an image of the Blessed Virgin western facade. A feature of the architecture is a large oval dome, displaced from the center and an altar chapel. A unique attraction of the interior is the painting of the dome and vaults, depicting the Virgin Mary in the vault of heaven, scenes of biblical and historical events, made by the artist Antonio Palomino.

The main relic - a wooden sculpture of St. Mary the Protector, who became the patroness of the city, well preserved from the 15th century, is located in the altar. The basilica is open daily with free admission from 07:00 to 21:00, with a break - 14:00-16:30.

Church of Saints John

The building of the Church of St. John, erected in the XIII century in honor of the saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, draws attention to the Market Square. Its western baroque façade, with its main entrance, is adorned with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and a rose window known as the "eye of Saint John". At the top in the center of the temple rises a tower with a clock and statues of St. John. Its continuation is the bell tower, completed by a pyramid with a weather vane in the form of an eagle with an inkwell in its beak.

The interior of the temple is famous for the paintings of the vaults on the biblical scenes of the struggle between good and evil. The center of the wooden altar, covered with gilding, is dedicated to the image of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and Christ crucified on the cross. On the sides of the altar are statues of the apostles Peter and Paul. The church is open to the public daily from 7:30 to 10:00 and from 19:00 to 20:00. Sunday and holidays from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00. The entrance is free.

Palace of the Marquises of Dos Aguas

The Palace of the Marquises of Dos Aguas is a luxurious mansion dating back to the 15th century. It was built by one of the most noble Valencian families - Rabasa, who received the title of marquis in the 17th century. The palace is a vivid example of eclecticism in a combination of rococo and empire styles. The design of the portal strikes with an abundance of allegorical sculptural figures, bas-reliefs and atlases.

Today, in the mansion of the Marquises of Dos Agus, there is a national museum of ceramics with 12,000 exhibits. On the lower floor there are 4 halls of rare ceramics, a hall of carriages and carriages of the XV-XIX centuries; on the first floor there are 12 halls representing the interior of the palace and on the second floor there are exhibits of the National Museum of Ceramics. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 14:00. The ticket costs 3 €, on Saturday and Sunday from 16:00 to 20:00 admission is free.

Palace of Music

The ultra-modern Palace of Music is one of the most beautiful cultural centers in Spain and a prestigious concert venue in Europe. It harmoniously fits into the space of Turia Park, becoming its decoration. The construction of the building is completed by a huge glass dome, which gives the palace an unusual airiness, surrounded by a palm grove. The interior of the palace is dominated by islands of winter gardens with exotic plants growing in them.