Valencia recently topped a poll as the most popular European coastal city and it’s not surprising given the range of what it has to offer, especially its culture and architecture. Here are some photos from a visit in summer 2023.
In terms of modern architecture it has a stunning set piece in Spanish architect and native Valencian, Santiago Caltrava’s City of Arts and Sciences.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Calatrava
The Old City offers an abundance of traditional narrow streets, ecclesiastical courtyards and exuberant graffiti. For lovers of Spanish art there are some fine examples of El Greco, Ribera, Ribalta and Zubaran.
As in the rest of Spain you can find giant bulls, if you look for them carefully. One of them is located in the grounds of the University of Valencia. Once used as advertising hoardings to promote Spanish brandy there are still 92 of them scattered across the country.
Valencia also has some strong examples of Spanish Art Deco.
At the entrance to the ceramics museum in Valencia is an amazing alabaster sculpture depicting the two rivers of Valencia.
Finally a random picture of a dam high in the hills that surround the city.
(c) Francis Hanly
Francis Hanly Photos 