Valencia & Culture

Culture in Valencia
A cultural stroll through the city

Colón market

Things start moving early the Mercado Central. Its 1,000 market stalls located in an area of more than 8.000 m2 sell all kinds of fresh produce. The modernist-style mercantile monument is decorated with domes, stained glass windows, ceramics and mosaics.

From the Miguelete, the Cathedral's gothic tower, there are splendid views overlooking the old part of the city. The Cathedral has three doors, one of them, the Puerta de los Apóstoles which faces the Plaza de la Virgen, is where the Thursday sessions of the Water Court, the Tribunal de las Aguas have been held for the past ten centuries.

Another example is the Palau de la Generalitat, a 15th-century gothic palace, currently used as the seat of the regional government, the Generalitat Valenciana.

Strolling along the narrow city streets, we arrive at the Torres de Serrano, considered to be the largest gothic gateway in Europe. They provisionally housed prison cells and served as a triumphal archway.

Throughout the city, the urban landscape is broken up by beautiful gardens which serve as meeting points and leisure areas, an example of which is the ancient Turia dry river bed which runs through the city.

In the middle of this is the Palau de la Música, the Music Auditorium, home of the Valencia Orchestra and a stage for many prestigious conductors and musicians in the international music world.

Without a doubt, the latest architectural success in Valencia is the The City of Arts and Sciences. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it has become the symbol of 21st century Valencia.