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Fallas Festival

Fallas is a festival officially beginning on March 15th but festivities start as early as March 1st with the first mascletá (explosion of firecrackers) announcing the beginning of the Fallas season. The festival has origins that date all the way back to the Middle Ages when carpenters and artisans got rid of pieces of wood and other broken things that they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring equinox. Valencian carpenters used small planks of wood called parots to hang their candles on during the winter. However, with the new spring coming, the carpenters did not need the candles anymore to work into the later hours of the day so the planks of wood were burned. Over time, the Catholic Church intervened and the date that the carpenters got together to burn the parots was made to fall at the same time of the festival of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Over the years, neighborhoods began to organize and build their own fallas based off of the parots.The fallas have evolved from using tall cardboard boxes with wax dolls to polystyrene and soft cork that is easily molded with hot straws. Today, hundreds of fallas, are built and scattered throughout the city to be judged and burned during La Crema with the biggest burning being in the Plaza Ayuntamiento.

The five official days of Fallas consist of fireworks, walking around the whole city to see fallas sculptures, street food stands, street parties, seeing the falleras and fallers offer flowers to a sculpture of the Virgin Mary in La Plaza de la Virgen, and no sleep! The population of the city doubled during this time making Valencia the must-be place in March. I enjoyed every minute of Fallas and it ended too quickly. Learning about the history of it and seeing how much it has evolved over the years was amazing. I especially liked the Nit de Foc and all of the fireworks displays in the Turia River because I could see it perfectly from the roof of my apartment. I hope to return one day and experience it again!

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Jardines De Monforte

Carrer de Montfort, S/N, 46010 València

963 52 54 78

The Jardines de Monforte are 2,597 square feet of peaceful green space right in the middle of the city that perfectly represents the neoclassical and romantic style of architecture. Juan Bautista Romero, the Marquis of San Juan, bought the gardens in 1849 and gave the task of beautifying the area and creating the space to architect Sebastian Monteon Estelles. There are statues of lions and people scattered throughout with mazes and mazes of greenery. While the space is small it is still possible to get lost here. My favorite part of the Monforte Gardens is the lookout area at the top of a hidden path. It is relaxing and quiet place to read, listen to music, or just soak up the Valencian Sun! If you need a break from the streets of El Carmen or the Turia River I would recommend this quaint garden. I love coming here to write or chat with my friends. 

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The City of Arts and Sciences

Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7, 46013 València

902 10 00 31

Located in the Turia River this collection of buildings by Santiago Calatrava has become an icon for the city of Valencia. The city is made up of the Oceanogràfic or aquarium. It is Europe’s biggest aquarium with over 45,000 different species. Another outstanding structure is the Hemisfèric which is a digital 3D movie theater. Multiple films are shown daily and they are mostly educational and made for all ages. Next is the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. This museum has multiple interactive exhibits about science and technology. There is also the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia which is an opera house that shows operas, concerts, and ballets from October to November. While it is not being used for performances you can get a guided tour of the breathtaking facility. Another component of the City of Arts and Sciences is the Umbracle. The Umbracle is an open-access garden where you can walk through native Mediterranean plants and sculptures from international artists. During the summer you can get a drink at Terraza Mya and enjoy the beautiful weather. The last important part is The Ágora. This building is mainly used for hosting events and it is not open to the public. 

No visit to Valencia is complete without The City of Arts and Sciences. I always take my visitors to this area because it has become an important part of Valencian culture. This area is always filled with tourists and locals alike but I still find it calming to sit near the water or in the park and read or just watch people. 

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La Albufera

In addition to a bustling metropolis, Valencia also has a national park just 10km outside of the city. La Albufera is a freshwater lagoon to the south of Valencia’s city center. It is surrounded by rice fields and dense forests that would satisfy any nature buff. Historically, La Albufera has been an important fishing site since 1250 when it was legalized. Today, fishing generates a substantial profit with most of the catch being eels, bass, mullet, and American blue crab.

Take a boat ride through the lagoon and learn about the origins of the most famous Valencian meal- paella. You can also explore the many winding paths that surround the lagoon with or without a guide. This park has something for everyone and it is only a short bus or car ride away from the city center making it a must-do while visiting Valencia. While I visited, a third generation farmer showed us around the traditional houses, the orange groves, and we helped him pick beans for the paella. We learned about the history surrounding the area the local’s lives. 

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Museo de Bellas Artes

San Pío V, Valencia 46010.

This art museum is located in a recently renovated Baroque building on the Turia River. There are two towers that surround the main building and the element that attracts everyone’s attention when they see Valencia; a cobalt blue dome that shines when sunlight is reflected off of it. There are also many details all over the building that signify it as a Baroque accomplishment. An important component of the museum is that it is filled with artwork from many famous Valencian painters like Vicente Lopez, Juan de Joanes, los Ribalta, and Joaquin Sorolla. In addition to local artists the museum also holds work from Velazquez, Goya, and Sarto. There is currently a brand new Sorolla exhibit that shows his work and his students’ work. Many of his paintings were brought from the Prado in Madrid along with works that Valencia already had. This museum is an important part of Valencian culture because it exhibits work of some of the most famous Valencian artists that put Valencia on the map. Here adults and kids alike can learn about the history of Valencia through artwork. Preserving this artwork will allow for future generations to learn about the styles, methods, and history of Valencian art. I have visited this museum four times already and each time I discover a new section and new art to learn about. 

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El Mercado Central

Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges, s/n, 46001 València

Construction began in 1914 and wasn’t completed until 1928 by Valencian architect Enrique Viedma Vidal. The Central Market is one of the biggest markets in Europe covering over 8,000 square meters. The main style shown throughout the building is Valencian Nouveau. The facade showcases domes, colored panels, and lopsided levels. The interior consists of long rows of food vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to fresh seafood and poultry. The lower level has a few restaurants and souvenir shops making it a perfect site to see for tourists. Visitors can shop with locals and get to know the local dynamic while tasting traditional Spanish and Valencian delicacies like jamón serrano and paella. There is even a bar in the Central Market that boasts a Michelin rated chef which obviously attracts country and worldwide attention for Valencia and its booming tourism. I have been to the Central Market more times than I can count to get lunch or shop for fresh produce and I still haven’t discovered or tried everything but I always buy a one euro fruit cup and browse the rows of vendors selling everything from olive oil to eels. On more than one occasion I have seen a camera crew in the market interviewing vendors and visitors alike. Most of the food that is sold at the central market is grown or raised in or near Valencia. It keeps the local economy thriving and keeps emphasis on the “mom and pop” businesses. A MUST SEE for anyone visiting Valencia. 

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Cathedral and Basilica

Plaça de l'Almoina, s/n, 46003 València

Officially named the Cathedral- Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia, or St. Mary’s Cathedral, this historical site was built on the grounds of a 13th century Roman temple. The main cathedral is home to more than three types of architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque. Each of these style is beautifully represented with three different entryways; the Puerta de Apostles is Gothic style, the Puerta de los Hierros is Baroque, and the Puerta del Palau is Romanesque. Also an important part of the history and architecture is the tower that stands above the cathedral called “El Miguelete”. This tower is of Baroque style with a spiral staircase that leads to a terrace with views overlooking the whole city. Inside the cathedral you will find beautiful artwork, the arm of San Vicente, a museum with artifacts dating back to the 13th century, and a chapel that houses the Holy Grail.

The Basilica of Our Lady Of The Forsaken is another religious landmark in Valencia. It was built between 1652 and 1667 and it was the first new Baroque construction of its time. Diego Martinez Ponce de Urrana built this church from new foundations making it the only church in the oldest part of the city that is completely new. The interior of the church features beautifully painted frescoes by Antonio Palomino. It is important to see both of these locations because they are landmarks of the city with a long and interesting history. You need to experience both of these places to get to know Valencia. People come from all over the world to see these religious and historical landmarks and I am so lucky that I got to experience each of these places multiple times. Each time I visited I learned something new about the architecture, history, or religious importance. When I had visitors in town I made sure to always bring them here. 

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La Lonja de la Seda

Carrer de la Llotja, 2, 46001 València

Teléfono: 96.208.41.53

Built between 1482 and 1533, this UNESCO world heritage site was originally a silk exchange and a place for commerce in Valencia. La Lonja does not look like much from the outside but once inside it represents beautiful late Gothic style architecture. The Sala de Contratación (contract or trading hall) features many tall columns and an intricate ceiling. This room was used to make deals and carry out daily business. Outside of La Sala de Contratación is the main courtyard. This is a beautiful and peaceful area filled with orange trees and a fountain in the middle. There is even a chapel in La Lonja. And if you see stairs leading down just remember that it is not today and has never been used as a dungeon! It was most likely used as food storage or even servant’s quarters (I know- not as interesting as a dungeon). Today La Lonja is a main attraction for tourists and for good reason. It represents perfectly late Valencian gothic architecture and it is amazingly preserved. You can see in person perfect representations of famous architecture and you feel like you are in 1482 making global deals with important merchants and traders. I loved visiting this site and learning about the rich history that surrounds it still today. There are so many hidden details and stories in the walls that make it interesting and exciting to learn about.