Valencia is a city in Spain located on the River Turia banks.The city of Valencia was founded as a Roman colony back in 138 BC. Today, the city is considered a gamma-level global city.When you visit the city, stay at Ciutat Vella in Old Town. Major places to visit are only a little distance away. The best things to buy in the city are hand-painted porcelain, ceramics, handmade jewellery, Abanicos that are hand-painted fans, socarrat tiles, and more. The city even has a cocktail drink to its name, the agua de Valencia.Read on to know more facts about Valencia Spain and if you like this article, then also check out Toledo Spain facts and tourism in Spain facts.Tourism: Valencia SpainValencia, the third-largest city of Spain, is the capital city of the Spanish province of the same name. Along with being the third-largest city, it is also the third most populated city of Spain with over 800000. The city can surely fascinate you.The city is known for its soothing temperate climate, excellent food like authentic paella, and great cultural landmarks, like Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences. The sandy wide beaches, magnificent architecture, and the lesser amount of crowd than other large cities of Spain makes this city great. Additionally, Barcelona is around 217.5 mi (350 km) from the city, and driving takes about 3.5-4 hours on average.The city is covered in natural recreational spaces like the Royal Gardens, the Botanical Garden, Albufera Natural Park, Turia Gardens, and more. Albufera Natural Park is a nature reserve that is home to around 250 bird species, rice fields, and a freshwater lagoon. Turia Gardens is a 5.6 mi (9 km) long greenery with playgrounds, orange trees, fountains, and more hugging the previously carved-out course of the Turia river. Even L’Oceanogràfic, the oceanarium, is home to 45000 animals belonging to 500 species of beluga, sea lions, penguins, walruses, and more.The Old Town or ‘El Carmen’ is near many historical, cultural, and recreational places like, La Patacona, La Malvarrosa, and Las Arenas beaches, or the Mercado Central, El Miguelete bell tower, and La Lonja. La Lonja, or the ‘Silk Exchange’, is a civic building of gothic style from the late Valencian era. This former chamber of commerce has been declared a Unesco World Heritage site.The main port of Valencia is the biggest in the city, located on the Mediterranean coast. It’s the busiest container port on the Mediterranean Coast and the fifth busiest container port of Europe. According to a 2008 report, it’s also the first in container traffic in Spain.Historic: Valencia SpainValencian history is full of interesting facts starting from the story behind its name, the first time it was mentioned, to the golden age of the city. This beautiful city of Spain was founded as a Roman colony and its evolution to today’s city is fascinating.During the Valencian golden age that took place in the 15th century, the city was the richest and most populous city in the Kingdom of Aragon. The local economy, culture, and arts flourished in this golden age.Valencian people or as otherwise known as Valencianos, are quite proud of the name of the city, Valencia. It came from the Latin word, ‘Valentia’, which means strength, bravery, and valour in English. It got its name after the Roman practice, where they recognized the valour of the Roman soldiers who had previously fought in a war.Christian King James I of Aragon divided the city among the nobles that helped him in conquering it in 1238. They were banished later on, but the changes they brought to the water system, recipes, and art still remains to this day.Valencia was made the capital of empires two times. Once when Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte moved the court in this city in 1812 and again in the time of the Second Spanish Republic between 1936-1937. It was also made the loyalist capital during the Spanish Civil War between 1936-1939.Many of the people of the Valencia Cathedral believe that they are in possession of the Holy Grail. It’s the cup of Jesus Christ from the Last Supper, which many believe holds supernatural powers.Cultural: Valencia SpainValencia has a history of artistic, athletic, festive, and gastronomic culture. Along with the greenery of the city, it has so many significant buildings dedicated to art that it will surely amaze you.The City of Arts and Sciences is the most important cultural destination of the city. This architectural complex located at the southeast end of the previous riverbed of the river Turia is considered one of the 12 iconic Treasures of Spain.Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno’ or IVAM, was the first modern art Center that was created in Spain in 1989. It still holds huge significance in Spain and Europe for modern and contemporary art.Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía is the urban landmark, performing arts centre, and opera house that anchors the City of Arts and Sciences’ northwest end in the city.The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia holds the second most number of paintings in Spain. The first place goes to Prado Museum Mercat Central or Central Market.The route of ‘El Cid’ is a remarkable tourist and cultural route that follows the steps of the renowned medieval knight, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar or ‘El Cid’. The route runs from Spain’s northwest to southeast and is based on the iconic Hispanic medieval poem, ‘El Cantar de Mio Cid’.The annual Fallas Festival that occurs in March was announced as the Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain and Intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This festival which features paella and draws thousands of people is celebrated in the name of the patron saint of carpenters, St. Joseph.L’Hemisfèric is a laserium, planetarium, and IMAX Cinema. It was designed with the intention of resembling an eye. Hence, it’s also called the ’eye of knowledge’. It’s renowned as the centrepiece of the beautiful City of Arts and Sciences.Valencia is known as the only city in the country that has not one but two American Football teams - Valencia Giants and Valencia Firebats. The teams compete in the national first division, LNFA Serie A.Political Scenario In Valencia SpainThere are quite a few political parties in Valencia. However, the leading political parties of the city are the People’s Party of the Valencian Community and, of course, the Socialist Party of the Valencian Country (PSPV-PSOE). The two parties follow quite different ideologies.The leading political party in the Valencia government is the Socialist Party of the Valencian Country, PSPV-PSOE. It was initially a Marxist party, but they abandoned Marxist ideologies in 1979, and now the party follows central-left wing ideologies, like social democracy. The President of the Valencian Government is currently Ximo Puig, who is a member of PSPV-PSOE. After the death of Franco, the first regional election was held in 1983, and PSOE won with a majority. Joan Lerma I Blasco was selected as the first democratically elected president of Valencia.People’s Party of the Valencian Community is the Valencian branch of the rather larger Christian-democratic party, the People’s Party. Additionally, they are known as one of the most powerful branches or organizations in the history of the People’s Party. They follow certain central-right wing ideologies, like Christian democracy, liberalism, Spanish nationalism, conservatism, and more.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Valencia Spain facts then why not take a look at Spain food facts, or Spain flag facts?
Valencia is a city in Spain located on the River Turia banks.
