My Visual Travel Experience: Valencia

I visited the Spanish city of Valencia for a day in 2014. I went across from Barcelona, where I had stationed myself for a week. The distance is 350 km, but I reached in just over 3 hours because of the super fast trains.

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, and has a population of about 800,000. The city was founded as a Roman colony in the 2nd century BC along the banks of the river Turia. In the 6th century AD, the Byzantines took over the city. In the 8th century AD, it was the turn of the Moors to come to power. In the 11th century AD, El Cid took control of the city from the Moors and converted it into a Christian town. In the early 12th century, the Muslim religion was restored in the city and that was to last till the 13th century, when King James I of Aragon got the Muslims to surrender. 

The 15th century was known as the Golden Age of Valencia, as the city prospered, witnessing a lot of construction and the emergence of a strong artistic culture. It subsequently had a tumultuous history with its share of problems, especially when Valencia sided with Charles of Austria and had to pay a heavy price to Philip V, who abolished the city's privileges. In 1812, Valencia was briefly the capital of Spain when Joseph Bonaparte moved the court there. During the Second Spanish Republic, Valencia again served as the capital of Spain in 1936 and 1937.

Valencia Cathedral was consecrated in 1238 and was dedicated to Saint Mary. Originally, an old cathedral stood at the site, and then under the Moors, a mosque was built there. The cathedral is famous with pilgrims around the world because of the Holy Chalice, which is supposed to be the cup used by Christ in the Last Supper. The chalice has been used by many popes throughout history.

Valencia Cathedral

Facade, Valencia Cathedral

Dome above the High Altar, Valencia Cathedral

High Altar, Valencia Cathedral

Valencia’s Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados lies close to Valencia Cathedral and is actually attached to the Cathedral. The Basilica was built in the 17th century.  Outside the Basilica lies the city’s main square, the Place de la Virgen.

Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados

High Altar,
Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados

Interior of Dome,
Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados

There is a fountain at Place de la Virgen, opposite the Basilica. The charming square is lined with cafes and restaurants.

Place de la Virgen

The Ayuntamiento is the town hall, which dates back to the 18th century. The grand building has a clock tower and is one of the town’s main landmarks.

Ayuntamiento

The Mercado Central is one of Europe’s oldest markets. The glass and wrought iron structure, topped by a large dome, is full of vendors selling food. There are also restaurants and souvenir stalls inside.

Mercado Central

The Estacion del Norte is one of the town’s main stations and it has some stunning tile walls.

Tile work, Estacion del Norte

The Palau de la Generalitat is the seat of the local government. The building lies close to the Cathedral. It is a renaissance building dating back to the 15th century.

Palau de la Generalitat

The Torres de Serranos is one of the gates along the old city wall of Valencia. There were 12 such gates. It was built in the 14th century AD, and for many years, it was used as a prison for nobles.

Torres de Serranos

The Jardines del Rio Turia is a beautiful park that lies at the site of a former river. The park was opened in 1986. The park came up as a result of a flood in 1957,in which about 100 people were killed. It was decided that a river couldn’t be so close to the heart of the city, and hence the idea behind the park.

Jardines del Rio Turia

The Museo de Belles Arts was founded in 1913. It has over 2,000 exhibits, mainly from the 14th to the 17th century, including works by masters like Velazquez, Goya and El Greco.

Museo de Belles Artes

El Greco's St John the Baptist, Museo de Belles Artes

Gil's My Daughter Maria in the Garden, Museo de Belles Artes

Joan de Joanes's Pentecosta, Museo de Belles Artes

Jaun's Young Bacchus, Museo de Belles Artes

Murillo's St Francis of Assissi, Museo de Belles Artes

Exploring Valencia was fun. I just had a day, but the city centre is quite compact and I covered the main sites. For me personally, the city's highlights were its two famous churches, the stunning architecture of the Ayuntamiento, the exquisite tile work at the Estacion del Norte, and the beautiful collection of paintings at Museo de Belles Artes. I was really keen on seeing Mercado Central but had to be content seeing it from outside because it was shut that day. All in all, it was an enjoyable day.