Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, located in the middle of the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

It is the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Valencia, best known for the Las Fallas festival, the traditional dish paella valenciana, golden sandy Mediterranean beaches, plantations of oranges and its unspoilt rustic environment.

This beautiful city is a major cultural and industrial center. The whole area is oozing with history, modernist as well as gothic and baroque monuments, medieval churches, the cathedra, excellent museums and art galleries.

The city contains an intense monumental heritage, including la Llotja de la Seda, an exceptional example of a secular building in late Gothic style considered as a World Heritage Site since 1996.

After the rapid development in Valencia that started in the mid-1990s the other notable landmarks of the city has been restored including the old Towers of the medieval city and the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery, erected in the 16th century. At present the building houses Valencia's library.

A truly mind-blowing City of Arts and Sciences; Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía (opera house and cultural centre in Valencia), L'Hemisfèric Planetarium (distinctive eye-shaped construction), The Omnimax theater, The Science Museum, The Aquarium, and L'Àgora all designed by Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer Santiago Calatrava immediately became one of Spain's top tourist attractions.

The Valencia Aquarium at the Oceanografic, is a complex of approximately       100 000 square meter, which is claimed to be the biggest marine park in Europe. Most of the facility is underground, but both sections underground and above ground are dedicated to marine life.

There are seven aquariums which recreate the natural environments of 500 species of fish and other sea creatures.

Another interesting thing is that Valencia has a Formula One race track running around its harbour. The city will host the event of Formula One European Grand Prix until 2014.

Comparing Valencia to multicultural Barcelona or to Madrid, we can say that it is a city the most loyal to its own culture, proud and rich in traditions.
It is where you can see the real Spain!