A modern entertainment complex, a real architectural pride of the whole of Spain. The futuristic ensemble created by Santiago Calatrava contrasts strongly with the historical city blocks. There is an exhibition gallery, a museum-city of sciences, a planetarium (which includes a cinema and a laser show theater), an opera house and an oceanarium. The complex was opened to the public in 1998, during the following years it was completed.

The ancient city gates, preserved from the XIV century. They were intended for the purposes of defending the city and repelling enemy attacks. Over the past centuries, the perverse towers have managed to serve as a prison for noble nobles and a repository for museum exhibits during the wars (the collections of the Prado Museum were specially evacuated here to protect them from possible bombing). Nowadays, Serranos perform a symbolic function.

The second (after the Serranos Gate) ancient gate that has come down to our time, guarding the entrance to Valencia. From here begins the entrance to the old central part of the city. The structure is built in the Neapolitan style of limestone and stone and resembles a medieval Italian fort. A few centuries ago, a women's prison was located in the gate towers. In 1931, the building was awarded the status of a historical monument.

The square is located in the historical part of Valencia. Important public events for the city are held here. There are several attractions on the square at once: the central post office, the building of the Trade Assembly and the Municipality (city hall). The last building deserves special attention. This is a picturesque palace of the late XVIII century, decorated with Baroque bas-reliefs, figured arches and balconies.

Queen Square is one of the most crowded and lively in Valencia. Several major streets converge here at once. The place was named after the wife of the ruler Alfonso XII, Queen Maria. The square is decorated with flower beds, alleys and cozy cafes. On the north side there is a cathedral with a high bell tower. The mileage of all Valencian roads starts from the Plaza De la Reina.

Cathedral in honor of St. Virgin Mary, the main Christian church of Valencia. It was built before the arrival of the Moors on the Iberian Peninsula. During the Arab rule, it was turned into a mosque. In the XIII century, the cathedral again became a Christian monastery with the blessing of the Bishop of Valencia. The building was built in the so-called "Mediterranean Gothic" style. Here lies one of the most significant Christian relics – the Holy Grail.

The temple is located next to the Cathedral of St. The Virgin Mary and connects with him with the help of a gallery. This seemingly inconspicuous church plays an important role for local residents, since it is here that the image of the patroness of the city, St. Mary the Intercessor, is kept. The statue is considered miraculous, people turned to it during the onset of disasters, wars, epidemics and other troubles that befell Valencia.

The temple is dedicated to two biblical characters – John the Theologian and John the Baptist. The building was built in the XIII century on the site of a destroyed Arab mosque after the expulsion of the Moors. In the XIV and XVI centuries, two severe fires occurred in the temple, after which the building was rebuilt. The final appearance that has come down to our days is a structure of the XVIII century with an elegant facade in the Baroque style.

The temple, located near the Cathedral of Valencia, dedicated to the Christian martyr Catalina. According to legend, Catalina suffered for her faith and wisdom. By order of Emperor Maximilian, she was flayed alive. The Cult of St. Catalina quickly spread across Europe. The Valencian temple in her honor was built under Jaime I on the site of the demolished Arab mosque.

The building of the XVII century, where the school for the clergy used to be located. It contains outstanding collections of famous Spanish artists, including El Greco, Velasquez and Goya. Separate expositions are dedicated to representatives of the Valencian art school — Nicolas Falco, Rodrigo de Oson and others. The museum also boasts paintings by famous Italian and Dutch masters.

The palace is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The building is decorated with an intricate and luxurious Baroque facade – a real work of art. The interior is also decorated with special splendor. The palace houses a museum of ceramics, where several thousand exhibits are exhibited. Here you can find unique ceramic products dating back to the XVI century. Jewelry collections, furniture and interior items are also presented.

The residence of the Government of the Autonomous Region of Valencia, open to tourists at certain times. The construction of the palace was started in the XV century by order of the Council of Deputies. The northern facade of the building faces the Plaza de Manises, on the opposite side there is a cozy picturesque garden. The Generalidad underwent a large-scale reconstruction in the middle of the XX century and retained almost its original appearance.

An architectural complex consisting of several buildings of the XV and XVI centuries. This is an outstanding creation of Spanish architects. In the Middle Ages, silk was traded on the territory of the complex. The ensemble includes a tower, an orange courtyard, a meeting room and the main pillared hall, in which trade transactions were directly carried out. In this hall, the rules of trade in Latin are carved on the floor of multicolored marble.

The main city station, where trains arrive from Madrid. The building was built at the beginning of the XX century in the style of "Southern Art Nouveau" with some pretentiousness and pomposity. The interiors are originally decorated with tiles, tiles, mosaics, stained glass windows and images of fruits. Architect Demetrio Ribes worked on the project. Perhaps he was trying to capture the image of a blooming garden in stone.

A large round arena is an amphitheater for bullfighting. It is located next to the Northern Railway Station. The playground was designed in the XIX century by Sebastian Monleon. The diameter of the arena is 52 meters, the capacity is up to 16 thousand spectators. The best bullfighters perform here, and about 25 fights are held annually. Inside there is a bullfighting museum, where you can learn about the history and features of this national show.

A large grocery market, where products from all over the region are brought. Here are the best farms of the autonomous region of Valencia. Dozens of varieties of cheese and jamon, sweets, fish, seafood, nuts, ingredients for making paella are sold on the shelves. The market is always busy and noisy. The building itself, where the shops are located, is a picturesque structure with colored stained–glass windows and wrought-iron bars.

An Art Nouveau trading platform named after the great discoverer, but having nothing to do with him. Here you can not only buy fresh products or souvenirs, but also have a delicious meal or taste countless and varied tapas. On holidays, the market is transformed and becomes a concert arena, where various performances are given.

A huge park complex in the former riverbed of the river Turkey, which stretches through the whole city. It consists of several zones, which include the Royal Gardens, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Botanical Garden. In the middle of the XX century, after another major flood, the authorities decided to change the course of the Turia River, and organized a green park zone in the resulting place (at first they planned to build a road). That's how modern Gardens appeared.

A progressive city zoo, where the most natural and comfortable conditions are created for animals. It was opened to the public in 2008. There are no fenced enclosures or cages in the biopark, so the animals can move freely over a large area. Visitors are forbidden to feed and touch the zoo's inhabitants. The territory is divided into several zones, where animals from different continents are housed.

The lake in the vicinity of Valencia and the marshy areas around it, which the locals call the "little sea". This is the habitat of a large number of waterfowl. They nest here in whole flocks and are not afraid of people at all. There are several species listed in the Red Book in the Albufera Park. The best way to explore the natural beauty of the territory is to take a boat tour.