Close to the station is Plaza de Toros, with its amphitheatrical architecture.
In a beautiful area near the central station is located la
Plaza de Ayuntamiento, the most important square in Valencia. The square is
surrounded by modern buildings with reach facades. The place is very tourist but
charming.
The square is dominated by the City Hall, a gorgeous
building which impresses with its modern structure.
Inside is as amazing as outside.
In a walking distance and close to the City Hall is La Lonja
de la Seda, the main treasure of Valencia, considered by UNESCO as a World
Herritage Site.
La Lonja represents the glorious past of Valencia, the time
when the city was one of the most powerful cities on the Mediterranean.
Beside
the architecture and historical value, La Lonja offers a splendid garden, lots
of orange trees and a small fountain. The garden is like an oasis, impressive
with its peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
The best attraction is the hall with the gorgeous twisted
columns. Here was the place where silk from India was exchanged.
The great hall where the silk exchange was done. Great and
elegant place with windows that filter the Mediterranean sunlight.
On the upper floor there is a second room with richly
decorated ceiling, a real masterpiece.
Right in front La Lonja is El Mercado de Valencia, showing
its splendor to the numerous visitors. This is the largest and most magnificent
food market in Spain. A place full of colors and delicious smells. Here we
tried the local delicious and enjoy the atmosphere in one of the many
restaurants.
Strolling through the narrow streets in the beautiful and
atmospheric old town we reach the square in front of the cathedral.
The great green areas with flowers, palms and orange trees
are just amazing.
Very close is the famous El Miguelete, the bell tower of the
Cathedral of Valencia.
Plaza de la Virgen is another local attraction. We are so amazed here by the perfection and the richness of the beauty.
In the center of the splendid plaza is the amazing fountain with
the Cathedral and the Basilica at the background.
The cathedral fascinates with its architecture in Valencian
Gothic style which has its own characteristics, an architecture which we see in
most of the historical buildings here. The famous relict of the cathedral is
the Holy Grail which most of the historians consider as the real one.
Not to be missed is the Museum of Ceramic, impressive with its facade.
We spent a couple of hours at Plaza de la Virgen.
The local tapa bars are highly recommendable.
From here we walk
along the main street to the Torres de Serranos, quite impressive with their
military architecture.
They formed part of the medieval city wall and were also
used as prison. Nowadays they impressed with the Valencian Gothic architecture
and offer splendid views from the top over the city.
With some great attractions, lovely plazas, shops and restaurants, Valencia is the best place to spend a couple of days a walk, especially on Christmas time.
Valencia is such a great city: paella, beach, lights, traditions, flowers, are important elements of this city which is hard to be described by words. One should visit and personally get to know Valencia.
