la historia, las fiestas y su cultura

There are many factors for which Valencia has become famous in the world and certainly a large part of the credit goes to the Calatrava architectonic complex. A group of buildings that combine into a single artistic-scientific complex, within the old bed of the Turia River in the city of Valencia. With a great visual impact, the City of Arts and Sciences is about 3 km from the Hogar Vera holiday apartments.

Getting to the City of Arts and Sciences by bike

From Hogar Vera we propose to use the bicycle as a means of transport, because on the one hand it allows us to appreciate the different kilometres of bicycle lanes that Valencia has and on the other hand it allows us to move around in a healthy way and enjoy the green spaces that distinguish the city. Do not hesitate to let us know your needs if you are interested in visiting Valencia by bike.

As for the buses, there are several lines that pass near the architectural complex of Calatrava, such as the number 19 and 35, which is taken from the nearby Town Hall Square, or the 95 which is preferable to take near the old riverbed.
As for taxis, in the central market area, it is always possible to find free vehicles willing to take us to the City of Arts and Sciences.

There are many monuments and buildings of historical, religious and political importance in Plaza Virgen and Plaza Reina. This is the area of Valencia’s historic centre and the centre for many of the city’s festivals.

Virgin Square, focal point of different events

A ten minute walk from the apartments of the holiday home Hogar Vera, you can reach this area to see the heart of the old town.

Plaza de la Virgen is one of the most beautiful squares in Valencia, completely pedestrianised and attracts thousands of visitors and tourists. Around it, we can admire the Basilica dedicated to the Virgen de los Desamparados, patron saint of the city, the Gothic style door of the Cathedral of Valencia which became famous for housing the “Tribunal de las Aguas” from 900 AD until today, every Thursday at noon. This institution is in charge of solving the issues related to the water used for irrigation in the Valencian countryside.

Dominating the Plaza de la Virgen is a fountain formed by a central body representing a man who represents the River Turia and 8 maidens representing the eight main irrigation channels in the Valencian countryside.

In this famous square in Valencia various acts and events related to the traditions and festive culture of Valencia are held, such as the floral tribute of the Fallas world to the Virgin, the beginning of the Corpus Christi procession and the “Virgen de los Desamparados”, various concerts and folk dances.

Behind the basilica we find the archaeological museum that tells us about the ancient Valencia since its foundation. Nearby we can see the Palacio de la Generalidad, practically the government of the Valencian community, and a few steps away the imposing towers of the Serrano, one of the two remaining gates of the last wall that defended the city.

Plaza de la Reina, a square born out of a need

Walking through the little street that flanks the “Miguelete”, the bell tower of the Cathedral, we find ourselves in Plaza de la Reina where, as a dominant element, we find the main entrance of the Cathedral. The predominant architectural style of this entrance is baroque and we must remember that the Plaza Reina, as we see it today, responds to the need for new open spaces in the city of Valencia in the early 1900s. For this reason we can see that the facade of the Cathedral is not centered with the square, because the latter did not exist.

Crossing Plaza de la Reina and taking the tree-lined street, Calle San Vicente, you will reach the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, taking the street on the left you will reach the Plaza Alfonso El Magnánimo where the bronze statue of King Jaime I is located.

One of the main places in the city of Valencia, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, a square that attracts many people both by the characteristics of tourist interest that has, as the presence of offices, such as municipal and post, which allow those who live in the city, to carry out different orders.

Peculiar buildings in the area of the Town Hall Square

One of the busiest and most visited areas of Valencia is the one next to the famous Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where we can find several buildings and monuments that characterize the area and make it a very popular cultural point of interest. From the holiday home Hogar Vera it is very easy to reach this area and can be comfortably reached on foot in a few minutes.

The square is dominated by the town hall building where the city’s political and decision-making activity takes place. Palace that we can visit inside from Monday to Friday only in the morning and that allows us to access the historical museum of the city and the famous terrace that looks directly at the square.

On the opposite side of Valencia City Hall, crossing the square, we can enjoy the sculptural allegories that characterize the central building of the Post Office and as we enter we are surprised by the leaded glass dome that covers the main hall of the building.

Near the square and events

In the same area, moving eastwards, we point out the beauty of the central train station, which has decorations reminiscent of the Valencian countryside and interior decorations in “trencadís” that make the station unique. Next to it, the imposing “Plaza de toros” stands out, where bullfighting art is still practiced and which is told thanks to the museum inside the building.

In the town hall square various events are held, from the craft markets to the book fair, from the ice skating rink at Christmas time to the firing of several kilos of gunpowder for the fireworks display known as “mascletà” and which characterizes the Fallas festival.