Valencia Spain
It is the 22nd-most populous municipality in the European Union and 35th-most populous urban area in the European Union with a population of 1,175,000. 1.7 million people live in the Valencia metropolitan area.
It forms part of an industrial area on the Costa del Azahar.
Its main festival, the Fallas (Falles in Valencian), has a reputation throughout Spain, while the world famous Spanish dish paella originated around Valencia.
The city contains a dense monumental heritage (including the Lonja de la Seda (World Heritage Site since 1996), but its landmark is undoubtedly the City of Arts and Sciences an avant-garde and futuristic museum complex.
Name
The original Latin name of the city was Valentia (/wa'lentia/), meaning "strength", "valour", the city being named for the roman practice of recognizing the valour of former Roman soldiers after a war. The Roman historian Titus Livius (Livy) explains that the foundation of Valentia in the 2nd century BC was due to the settling of the Roman soldiers who fought against Iberian local rebel Viriatus.
During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية (Balansiya) in Arabic.
By regular sound changes, this has become Valencia (/ba'lenθja/) in Spanish and València (/va'ɫɛnsia/) in Valencian/Catalan.
The Valencian pronunciation in the local dialect (in Valencian) is /ba'ɫensia/.
History
On 9 July 2006, during Mass at Valencia's Cathedral, Our Lady of the Forsaken Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI used, at the World Day of Families, the Santo Caliz, a 1st-century Middle-Eastern artifact believed by many to be the Holy Grail. It was supposedly brought to that church by Emperor Valerian in the 3rd century, after having been brought from Jerusalem by St.
Its base was added in medieval times and consists of fine gold, alabaster, and gem stones.
Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic America's Cup yacht race becoming the first European city to do so. On 3 July 2007, Alinghi defeated Team New Zealand, and successfully defended the America's Cup.
22 days later, on 25 July 2007, the leaders of the Alinghi syndicate, holder of the America's Cup, officially announced that Valencia would be the host city for the 33rd America's Cup, held in June 2009.
Architecture
The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La Virgen De Los Desamparados).
The 15th century Serrano and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city.
UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in modernisme (the Spanish version of Art Nouveau) style.
World-renowned (and city-born) architect Santiago Calatrava produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants.
Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the center of the city. The Music Palace (Palau De La Música) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.
The Cathedral of Valencia
The cathedral was called Iglesia Mayor in the early days of the Reconquista, then Seo (from Latin sedes, i.e.
It is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood. In Gothic times, it seems to have been dedicated to the most Holy Saviour; the Cid dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin; King Jaime the Conqueror did likewise, leaving in the main chapel the image of the Blessed Virgin which he carried with him and which is believed to be the one which is now preserved in the sacristy.
Holy week celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colourful in Spain. Valencia has a metro system, the Valencia Metro.
Valencia is also famous for its football club Valencia C.F., which won the Spanish league in 2002 and 2004 (in which year it also won the UEFA Cup), and was also a UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2000 and 2001, it is one of the most famous football clubs in Spain and Internationally.
Its city rival Levante UD currently plays in the second division.
Valencia is the current location of the Formula One European Grand Prix, first hosting the event on August 24th 2008. New street signs, when erected, are always given the Valencian name for street (Carrer).
This results in a situation where in longer streets both languages can often be seen on street signs.
Nightlife
Valencia is famous for its vibrant nightlife. Paella – a simmered rice dish that includes seafood or meat (chicken and rabbit), horchata, fartons, buñuelos, Spanish omelette, rosquilletas and squid (calamares) are some examples of typical Valencian foods.
Museums
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
The IMAX 3D-cinema L'Hemisfèric.
Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences was designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.
It is situated in the former Túria river-bed and comprises the following monuments:
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
A flamboyant opera and music palace with four halls and a total area of 37,000 m2.
L'Oceanogràfic
Biggest aquarium in Europe, with a variety of ocean beings from different environments: from the Mediterranean, fishes from the ocean and reef inhabitants, sharks, mackerel swarms, dolphinarium, inhabitants of the polar regions (belugas,walruses, penguins), coast inhabitants (sea lions), etc.