L'UMBRACLE - This huge covered central promenade of sculptured steel, fantastically pleasing to the eye, is a walkway of different trees and plants which blend in with the concrete and metal of its modern settings. A truly serene place to pontificate about life.
L'OCEANOGRAFIC - This is a new kind of aquarium, an underwater city of 80,000 square metres that makes it possible to discover the treasures of the seven seas. Designed by the late architect Felix Candela, the oceanographic park is considered the largest in Europe in the number and variety of its animal species and one of the worlds largest in volume of water.
THE HISTORICAL CITY OF VALENCIA - The historical centre of Valencia is the section of town which arose around the cathedral and was included within the medieval wall built in 1356, parts of which are still preserved.
The Casco Antiguo (old town) consists of five districts. Among which the Barrio del Carmen (Carmen district) is most outstanding and popular. Visiting the roman, Muslim and visigothic remains at La Almoina, the Portal del la Valldigno or the Banos Arabes del Almirante will allow you to go deeply into the historical roots to the evolution of the town. The archaeological remains around the Plaza de la Almoina take you back over 2,000 years to roman times. Valencia was originally a walled town with towers sited in strategic locations, with two still standing, the Quart and the Serranos towers. The Quart towers were built between 1441 and 1460, for protection of the Quart gate and the road to Castilia. The Serranos towers were built between 1392 and 1398 next to the bridge of the same name, for defending the road from the region of the Serranos, hence their name. Both towers have been used as prisons. Quarts as a womans prison in 1626 and Serranos for noblemen and knights between 1586 and 1887. Also of note is the cathedral of Valencia which was built between 1262 and 1356 on the site of a roman temple and later a Muslim mosque. One can view recently discovered 15th century frescoes by Francesco Pagano and Paolo De San Leocadio on exhibition.
For the history lovers there are many other beautiful historic buildings, plus a number of emblematic monuments, notably Plaza De La Reina. Also fantastic museums (24 in total) such as Museo De Bellas Artes (founded in 1683 and is the museum of fine arts), Almudin (built in the 14th century and between 1908 and 1991 became the museum of paleontology) and Museo De La Ciudan (for the full history of Valencia) to name but a few. LEISURE - For the Horticulturist there are some beautiful gardens (jardines) in Valencia, most inherited from the Arab culture. Some of the must sees are the Jardines De Viveros (nursery gardens) which previously belonged to the palace of Muslim king ABD Al-Aziz, Alameditas De Serranos which is a garden area on the right hand side bank of the river Turia, constructed in 1830 with many sculptures set amongst the varied fruit and palm trees and multiple flora. Jardines De Monforte (now classified as a national artistic garden) and Jardin De La Glorieta (the oldest garden in Valencia built between 1817 and 1844) BEACHES - Valencia is blessed with four beaches all with fine golden sand and range from 2,700 metres long to 4,940 metres in length. Two beaches, Pinedo, south of Valencia's seaport and Arenas-Malvarrosa which are the city beaches, both have bars and restaurants along the adjacent avenues, whilst El Saler and La Devesa beaches are a short walk from car parking areas and therefore much quieter beach areas. GOLF - There are five golf courses set around Valencia, Club De Golf El Bosque (18 holes), Club De Golf Escorpion (27 holes), Club De Golf Manises (9 holes and the oldest club),Club De Oliva Nova (18 holes) was designed by Severiano Ballesteros, and Club De Golf El Saler (18 holes) is considered one of the best golf courses in the world. SAILING - Valencia has a fantastic port which has recently been significantly upgraded to host the Americas Cup and is open to the public with a host of activities, games, restaurants, bars and shops. MOTORCYCLE RACING - Valencia has its own circuit which has been named after Ricardo Tormo, the first Valencian rider to win a world championship.
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