This is one of those cities that should be visited more. I was there as a child when had my aunt on mother’s side living there in a farm just south of the city near El Saler; when we lived in Madrid we would go there as our “vacation” ; then, their passing took us a dry spell of many, many years, finally with my wife and boys ,we decided upon my request to visit the city. We enjoyed the sites , and have plenty in my blog; however, found new pictures to tell you even more of this nice city by the Mediterranean. I am talking about the curiosities of Valencia, part I !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Plaza Puerta del Mar square in Valencia, where Calle de Colón, the main commercial thoroughfare, ends. Avenida Navarro Reverter, which follows the old road to the sea, leads from it, Calle del Justicia, Calle del General Palanca and Calle del Palacio de Justicia. It occupies part of the space of the square that extended in front of the Citadel of Valencia and the old Puerta del Mar, this door opened the medieval wall on the way to the port of Grao, and that were demolished in 1868 when the walls of the city felled, You have next the Jardin de la Glorieta , the historic garden popular for its large trees. Next to it we find the old Customs building, now the headquarters of the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community. Until the beginning of the 20C, the military citadel and later the barracks that replaced it stood on. Currently the modern buildings occupy the square, next to which the courts of Valencia were located for a long time, until their move to the current City of Justice.
The current Puerta del Mar is a reproduction of the old Puerta del Real, which stood a short distance away, opening the way to the disappeared Royal Palace. It has three openings. The central one is higher and culminates in a semicircular arch, while the sides, which are lower in height, are lintelled. On these there are four reliefs that represent “Courage”, “Abnegation”, “La Paz” and “La Gloria”. The original gate had been opened in the wall in 1356. Reformed several times, the last in neoclassical style in 1843, and finally demolished with the rest of the wall.
A private webpage with good info on the Sea Gate or Puerta del Mar : https://www.guidavalencia.com/cultura-turismo-di-valencia/monumenti-luoghi-interesse/puerta-del-mar/
The Pont de les Arts or Puente de las Artes or Arts’ bridge was built in 1990 and is the work of the British Sir Norman Foster. From the Pont de les Arts, the central support that supports the two roads stands out and represents a chandelier from which its tall white street lamps emerge.This spectacular central support represents a chandelier that supports the upper streetlights. It is a functional and modern bridge with a careful and elegant design. Between this bridge and the next San José bridge stretches the Valencia rugby field. On its side you can visit the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) and next to it, the museum center of the Casa de la Beneficencia. The continuation of the bridge on this side takes us to Na Jordana street, where one of the most important Fallas in the city is planted.
A private webpage with good info on the Puente de las Artes or Arts’ bridge: http://www.valencia-cityguide.com/es/atracciones-turisticas/puentes/puente-de-las-artes.html
The old Plaza de la Aduana is now Plaça d’Alfons el Magnanim or Plaza Alfonso el Magnánimo, opposite the Porta de la Mar . a fountain dedicated to Neptune. A very monumental cast iron statue presides over this square, dedicated to Jaime I the Conqueror, done in 1857 the sixth centenary of his death. Finally, it will be in 1891 said statue was located in the Parterre.
King Jaime I the Conqueror, very much in the local fabric; he was Jaime I de Aragon el Conquistador ( Born Montpellier France in 1208 and died in Alcira in 1276) He was king of Aragon (1213-1276), of Valencia (1238-1276 and Mallorca (1229-1276), Count of Barcelona (1213-1276), Count of Urgel,Lord of Montpellier (1219-1276),and other places in Occitania (covering France and Spain). Since it was built, the Parterre gardens have not undergone major changes. The Riada of 1957 forced to rebuild the garden; of the four ponds it had, only one remains. And I am in the picture with my oldest son !
The Valencia tourist office: https://www.visitvalencia.com/en
The city of Valencia on its history/heritage: https://www.valencia.es/cas/la-ciudad
The Autonomous community of Valencia region on Valencia city: https://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/en/valencia/valencia
There you go folks, a dandy city by the Mediterranean and lots of nice things to see. We have enjoyed our visits with the family in Valencia. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the curiosities of Valencia, part I !!! as I.
And ,remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 