Valencia

Valencia
Executive summary by Darmansjah

  Plaza ayutamiento

The Palau de Les Arts

Hearing the name of this city, your memory may be directly fixed on the football club who take part in LaLiga Spain. Though the third largest city in Spain has diverse appeal that makes it different from other big cities in the country Matador. To experience the beauty of a panorama of the city, Eko Nugroho kotributor tells the story of two sides of Valencia, modern and classic, which became the main attraction of this Mediterranean city nuanced.

  One corner of the Plaza del Ayutamiento

Valencia is one of the largest cities in Spain are increasingly in demand of foreign tourists. As early as five years travelers from different countries come to this town is not anymore just to admire the old culture and history, but also to admire the spectacular variety of modern architecture. The presence of a series of futuristic buildings create the popularity of Valencia are now starting to level with Madrid and Barcelona. Located on the eastern edge of the Spanish right in the middle of the ocean caused the city has a comfortable climate Mediternaian. In winter the temperature only dropped to about 13 * C while in summer the thermometer climbed to above 25 * C. The most convenient time for visiting Valencia is in the month of March-April or September-October where temperatures are not too cold, but not heat.

This unique layout of Valencia is a historic tourism objects collected in the downtown area, so everything is easy to reach. Cars can be parked safely on the edge of the downtown area and you can walk to explore the city center. If you do not bring their own vehicle or renting a car, so Valencia Tourist Card is an attractive alternative because you can use it to ride public transportation services within the city without being limited. Although not often up and down the bus, tram or metro, tourist card is still interesting because with it you will get discounts at many attractions, restaurants and shops. Price tourist card is   $10 for one day and $16 for two days.

My first impression of Valencia is a city that is comfortable and safe. This city looks clean and neat, especially in downtown and the plaza is always filled with tourists and walkers. Fresh-colored buildings and no traffic jams, not chaotic. While at Madried, Barcelona da nSevilla I saw many policemen were scattered in the city center and tourist places, even the occasional passing police patrol car appears on the highway. I do not find this phenomenon in Valencia. While in this city I do not see a policeman was on duty in the city center or in the center of the crowd.

Foodies will surely love this city because one of the typical Spanish food comes from here. Yes, Valencia is known as the birthplace of paella, a delicious dish of rice cooked with seafood broth or beef broth, using paellera - a special pan for cooking paella - which is heated over charcoal. Not surprisingly, the menu dish paella is most commonly found in restaurants in this city.

 Paella

Paella and a comfortable Mediterranean climate is not the only attraction of Valencia. The city is rich in historical treasures. Founded in 1813 BC, Valencia has a history that is full of 'intervention' and the occupation of various tribes The city was originally founded by the Romans, then successively occupied by the nation Vigoth from Germany and  Moors from the region of North African. After the occupation was over before the city became part of the Spanish state and nation.

Estacio del Nord train station

This is the first time I visited Valencia with my family. Tour content with our first day walking in the city center. Our car parked at the curb in the shopping area located on the left Estacio del Nord train station. Although the region is a region located close to shops and a large station, but the car can be parked at the curb at no charge. Incidentally, on the side of the road there are several Asian grocery stores. We also took time to stop at one store was seeking additional supplies on the way.

  Estacio Del Nord, stasiusn magnificent work of Demetrio Ribes.

  Carnival at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

After walking about five minutes from the car park, we arrived at the Estacio del Nord, the station majestic and artistic works of architect pride Valenci Dmetrio Ribes. View outside the station did not describe the impression of old. Decorated with motifs of citrus fruits and fresh colors., Estacio del Nord has the outward appearance as a modern monument to the creative architecture. Even this side of the station no less beautiful with ornate mosaic of marble and wood. The building that was completed in 1917 is located adjacent to the Plaza del Toros, a matador who held a show arena agility contest every March, July and October. Both of these beautiful buildings is an advanced first sights that we visited in the city.

From Estacio del Nord station we walked down the street Avenida M. De Sotelo entered the downtown area. Five minute walk, we arrived at the city's central square called Plaza del Ayuntamento. I can immediately recognize the beautiful fountain in the middle of the square, which became a landmark and is often found in the brochures neighbor Valencia. Without pre-planned, it turns out to coincide with the celebration of this day carnival, which was centered on this square. We were 'treated' with a festive atmosphere in the square and the parade of beautiful men, women and children in traditional dress, which is enlivened by a marching band that played local folk songs. The square is surrounded by magnificent buildings from the 19th century and early 20th century, with a town hall-which in Spanish is the Ayuntamiento-the largest and most prominent building here. This modern-looking building but equipped detail Valencia neoclassical style. Across town hall there are the main post office building which is also the neoclassical style. The post office has a main attraction berupan hall with its ceiling dome shaped glass with a beautiful stained glass decoration.

  The giant bell in the Miguelete Tower
 

Ceramics, one of the by-the typical Valencia.

Around the square were scattered attractions of interest such as markets, ancient churches, cathedral, national ceramics museum and the other seasons are all within reach on foot. From the square we walked in a northeasterly direction to the Mercado Central Market, Europe's largest indoor market built in 1928. This indoor market has a traditional style Valencia ceramic and decorated with lots of colorful mosaics. In this traditional market you will find not only the raw materials such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, but also the delicious dishes typical of the region of Valencia. With the stalls are in the hundreds in number, this market is like a city itself, where you can get acquainted with everyday life in Valencia.

Central region of Valencia is a tangle of narrow streets that charismatic where we can walk leisurely for hours from one tourist attraction to other attractions, while enjoying the scenery on either side are filled with old buildings are beautiful. In many buildings are still clearly visible influence of various tribes who had occupied the city. The most obvious example is the cathedral of Valencia, called 'La Seu'. The cathedral was built in the 13th century has a typical form of the three gates that were built in different architectural styles. The main gate is named Puerto de Hierros has a baroque style, Puerto de los Apostoles gate built with gothic style and the gates of the oldest named Puerto de Palau in roman style. As well as the uniqueness of the third gate, the cathedral La Seu is also very famous as a place of rediscovery of El Santo Caliz, supposedly the cup used by Jesus at his last supper. Together with other art treasures, the cup since the 15th century was in Valencia is on display in the cathedral museum.

 Puerto de La Seu Cathedral Hierros the baroque style

  Puerto de los Apostoles  

El Santo Caliz

La Seu Cathedral is on one side of the square Plaza de la Reina has a small garden which is quite green and charming decorated with palm trees and lush orange, complete with park benches for a short break or shelter from the sun. From this square you can hire a horse-drawn carriage to get around the downtown area or a stopover in one of the many cafes surrounding the square is to sit back on the terrace of a cafe while eating lunch or just a cup of tea while enjoying the warm breeze and the surrounding atmosphere.

  Plaza de la Reina

What is also very interesting to visit is the national ceramics museum. Inside are a collection of ceramics from Valencia's stylish range of 'flow', a unique collection of craft termbikar Cleto-Iberia and the works of Picasso. Ceramics museum is located in a baroque-style palace beautiful named Palacio del Marques de dos Aguas originating from the 15th century

   Torres de Serranos, the gates of the city of Valencia, Puente de Serranos

Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas

After lunch, we drove toward the city gate Torres de Serranos are located at one end of the bridge Puente de Serranos. Our car parking at the other end of this bridge dri. Later, while enjoying the warm afternoon sun, we walk back down the bridge toward the gates of Torres de Serranos. Gate of Europe's largest gothic style from the 14th century looks magnificent with golden color bathed in afternoon sunlight.

El jardin del Turia

Valencia has a major city park called El jardin del Turia, or simply Turia park. On the map, Turia park is seen as a green line snaking from side divides the city north to the southwest. City parks around eleven kilometers in length this is the former Turia river flow path that runs through the middle of town. After the big flood in 1957 it was decided to divert the flow of this river to the west along the edge of town. Flow path of the old river Turia Park is dried and used as a row of orange trees, playground and pond fountain, several football fields and an area for a night market. At the southwestern tip Turia.Park there is a mega complex called Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Broad complex, grand and hypermodern has several buildings all of which are works of modern architecture with a futuristic look and design spectacular Santiago Calatrava. As a local architect Valenci pride, Santiago has an international reputation, with his masterpiece in the form of selected building Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden, and do not miss Montujic Communications Tower is an advanced one of the icons Barcelona Olympics.

  Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Travelling in the mega-modern complex can be started from square Glorieta de Europe, which is located on the highway Paseo de la Alameda. Along this road the car can be parked for free on the right side of the street, as I do in this vacation. My car was parked on the sidewalk around the square Glorieta de Europe. From there we walk down the bridge Puente Monteolivete, with panoram opera houses to our right and the science museum on the left. Mega cultural and scientific complex is equipped with two large bridges with modern architecture and is no less spectacular.