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The region
of
Valencia
is located
on the
east of
Spain and
is well
known for
its
ceramics,
fans and
wicker-work.
The
Valencian
coast
consists
of many
beautiful
resorts
with
golden
beaches
and towns
full of
history.
Inland,
the soil
is fertile
and the
region has
adopted
the
nickname
'the
bread-basket
of Spain'.
Valencia
is a
region
rich in
history
and its
popular
coastal
resorts
make an
excellent
holiday
destination.
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Valencia
is well
connected
within the
road
network,
namely by
the N340
to
Barcelona
and
Alicante,
the NIII
to
Castilla
La Mancha
and Madrid
and the A7
motorway
which
links
Valencia
to the
European
network.
Valencia
enjoys a
typical
Mediterranean
climate
with hot
summers
and mild
winters.
It is well
known for
its orange
groves and
tourists
flock to
its two
main
beaches.
Valencia
is also
one of
Spain's
most
densely
populated
cities. As
you enter
the city
of
Valencia,
the roads
become
somewhat
confusing
and can be
hard work.
Once in
the city,
expect to
spend time
in traffic
and
parking is
very
difficult. |
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To see the
historical
centre of
Valencia
you would
do well to
make your
way to the
Plaza de
la Virgen
(pictured
left).
This is
the heart
of old
Valencia
and once
the
location
for the
Roman
Forum.
This area
was once
surrounded
like an
island by
the
tributaries
of the
River
Turia.
This is
now
illustrated
by the
fountain
in the
square
which
consists
of a
central
figure
representing
the river,
surrounded
by seven
maidens,
representing
the
tributaries.
Today the
square is
a popular
resting
place and
is
constantly
full of
life.
Around
this
square you
will find
many
important
buildings
such as
the
Cathedral,
the
Basilica
and the
Palacio de
la
Generalitat. |
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The
Cathedral
(pictured
right),
stands on
ground
once
occupied
by a
Muslim
Mosque and
an earlier
church.
The
current
building
is of
Gothic-Cistercian
design and
dates from
1262. It
wasn't
actually
completed
until the
18th
century.
This is
illustrated
by the
many
differing
designs
incorporated.
There is
an
imposing
tower
which can
be climbed
using the
200 steps.
You will
be
rewarded
at the top
with
spectacular
panoramic
views of
the city.
Purchase a
ticket
inside the
Cathedral
(costs
approx.
1.50€).
You can
also
purchase
books and
city
guides
inside the
Cathedral.
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Pictured
left is
the view
from the
tower over
the
beautifully
laid out
gardens.
Next to
the
Cathedral
you will
find the
Basilica
de la
Virgen,
a temple
dedicated
to the
Valencian
Patroness.
At the
altar you
will find
a
beautiful
Gothic
statue.
The
Basilica
was built
between
1652 and
1667
following
a style
that is
considered
Pre-baroque.
The
building
is of oval
shape with
a
beautiful
painted
dome. It
is not of
great
proportions
and the
building
often
struggles
to cope
with the
number of
worshipers.
The City's
patron is
celebrated
on the
second
Sunday in
May when
the statue
is carried
to the
Cathedral
and back.
In a noisy
and
emotional
ceremony,
the statue
is passed
person to
person
without
touching
the
ground.
The
evening
procession
is
accompanied
by rose
petals
thrown
from the
balconies
and huge
floral
displays
being
built. |
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Pictured
right
is
another
important
construction
in
the
city.
The
Torres
de
Quart
is
the
work
of
Pere
Bonfill
and
dates
from
1444.
The
walls
are
pitted
with
holes
caused
by
French
shelling
during
the
War
of
Independence.
The
building
receives
its
name
because
it
was
once
the
gateway
to
Quart
de
Poblet,
an
old
settlement
on
the
Valencian
plains.
The
towers
once
formed
part
of
the
old
city
walls,
destroyed
in
1865
to
allow
the
city
to
expand.
There
is
another
tower
in
Valencia,
called
the
Torres
de
Serranos,
a
massive
and
bold
construction
opened
in
1400
and
still
standing
strong
to
this
day. |
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Another
area of
the city
worthy of
exploration
is the
market
district.
Here you
will find
the
Lonja,
pictured
left. This
ancient
building
was
constructed
as the
market or
exchange
for silks
and other
merchants.
The
building
has been
described
as one of
the best
civil
Gothic
buildings
in Europe,
a fact
recognised
by UNESCO
who
declared
the Lonja
'Heritage
of
Humanity',
the only
building
in
Valencia
to enjoy
this
title.
If you
have time
to explore
the Lonja
you will
be
rewarded
with
fantastic
architecture,
a
wonderful
plaza and
some of
the finest
ceilings
in Spain.
In the
same area
you will
find the
Central
Market.
Up until
1928 the
market was
held in
the
streets.
This
ceased
when the
new
building
was
completed.
Having a
surface
area of
more than
8,000
square
metres, it
is one of
the
largest in
Europe. It
houses
thousands
of stalls. |
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All in
all,
Valencia
is a
vibrant
city that
offers a
wealth of
plazas and
gardens in
which to
rest, a
wide
variety of
historical
buildings
to
explore,
dotted
around the
city and
blending
in with
the modern
constructions
and the
added
bonus of a
thriving
port,
marina and
long
beaches.
One of the
busiest
areas of
the city
is the
Plaza
del
Ayuntamiento,
the new
vital
centre of
the city.
Here you
will find
the main
post
office and
the City
Council
building.
Not far
from here
you will
find the
North
Station,
built in
1906,
arriving
here by
train you
will find
yourself
in the
heart of
the
central
historical
centre.
Next to
the
station is
the
Plaza
de Toros
(Bullring).
One of the
largest
and most
beautiful
in Spain.
Seating
over
16,000
people it
was
constructed
in 1850.
The old
riverbed
through
the city
has been
drained
and now
houses
various
sports
installations
and parks. |
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When it
comes to
festivals,
Valencia's
calendar
is full.
Much of
the city's
festivities
are marked
by huge
firework
displays
for which
the city
is famous.
The most
important
celebration
is that of
the
Fallas
which
lasts a
whole week
from the
15th-19th
March. It
coincides
with the
beginning
of spring
and throws
Valencia
into an
explosion
of noise
and
colour.
More than
300 huge
Fallas
(works of
art) are
erected
around the
city. Each
is a
symbol of
malicious
criticism
and
sarcasm.
The climax
is on
March 19th
when the
Fallas are
burned at
midnight.
Easter
week (Semana
Santa)
is also
celebrated
in fine
style in
Valencia,
especially
around the
fishing
centre.
Valencia
also
offers a
cultural
experience
never
forgotten.
There are
ample
theatres,
cinemas,
dance
halls and
entertainment
venues.
The
nightlife
pulsates
until the
early
hours of
the
morning.
There are
venues to
suit every
age and
taste. |
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The
coast of
Valencia
It may be
said that
the
Valencian
coast
consists
of just
one long
beach,
interrupted
only by a
few small
cliffs at
Cullera.
Of the 14
municipalities
of
Valencia,
only four
have a
coastal
strip. In
the north
you find
El
Camp de
Morvedre
with its
capital
Sagunto.
The 57,000
inhabitants
are spread
between
the port
area and
the old
city. The
famous
castle
looks over
the old
city on a
hill, one
kilometre
long.
Sagunto
has a
Roman
theatre
dating
from the
2nd
century,
the first
such
monument
to receive
official
protection.
The upper
part of
the town
is very
picturesque
and should
be visited
on foot.
Explore
the narrow
streets in
the Jewish
Quarter.
There are
also
several
important
monasteries
and
churches
worthy of
a visit.
Along the
south
coast is
La
Ribera
Baja,
an area
dominated
by its
capital,
Sueca.
Described
as the
'Rice
Town' it
lies on a
huge
plain. Its
coastal
area is a
booming
tourist
centre.
The wide
Bahia
de los
Naranjos
(Orange
Grove Bay)
is one of
the most
attractive
areas
along the
whole
coast. The
population
swells to
over
100,000
during the
summer.
The
district
of
Oliva
marks the
boundary
of the
region in
the south.
It has a
magnificent
beach and
a great
deal of
history to
explore.
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