Archive for August, 2010

Cathedral stands on the north side of Plaza de la Reina the central square of the old town of Valencia. Built between 1252 and 1482 on the site of an earlier mosque, the Cathedral is an imposing building with a predominantly Gothic exterior but a Baroque façade. The interior of the Cathedral contains many valuable pictures, including works by Goya and Palomino.

Colegio del Patriarca is located to the east of San Andrés. It has an arcaded courtyard and was between 1586 and 1610 to house a seminary for the training of priests founded by Juan de Ribera, Archbishop and Viceroy of Valencia.

Fallas is large tableaux held during the fiesta of San José, a spring festival in March during which figures made of papier mâché and rags are set up in the streets and burned at midnight on the last day of the fiesta.

Lonja de la Seda the old Silk Exchange stands west of the Cathedral, in the long Plaza del Mercado. This magnificent Late Gothic building, erected in 1498 on the site of a Moorish alcazar, has richly decorated doorways and windows and fine gargoyle water-spouts was once the center of trade in the famous Valencian silk.

Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes is mainly devoted to artists of the Valencian school.

Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias is Spain’s leading collection of ceramics with over 5,000 examples of traditional pottery from Valencia and the surrounding area including Greek, Roman and Arab ware, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and modern pieces by Mariano Benlliure and Picasso.

Palacio de la Generalidad built between 1510 and 1579 to house the parliament of the kingdom of Valencia now houses the Diputación Provincial.

Santa Catalina is the Gothic church on the west side of the Plaza de la Reina with a richly decorated hexagonal tower.

Torres de Serranos built in 1398 on Roman foundations and restored in 1930 arte on the north side of the old town and today houses the Maritime Museum, which displays antiquities recovered from the sea. From the massive towers there are good views of the town.

Expedia, Argus, Europcar, Budget, Avis and Hertz offer car rental services in Valencia.