Welcome to Valencia, mediterranean city!
The 2019 edition of the EuCNC will be located in Valencia, a nice and modern city on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. On the east coast of Spain, Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain with a population of around 1.5–1.6 million people. Valencia is a big city, but everything is close. It has a warm climat for most of the year, boasting an average temperature of 20º C and around 300 days of sun per year.
The Port of Valencia is the 5th busiest container port in Europe and the busiest container port on the Mediterranean Sea.
Valencia is situated on the banks of the Turia river. Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain and the heritage of ancient monuments, views and cultural attractions makes Valencia one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. The Cathedral, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, is primarily of Valencian Gothic style but contains elements of Baroque and Romanesque architecture. Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La Mare de Déu dels Desamparats). The 15th-century Serrans and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city. UNESCO has recognised the Silk Exchange market (La Llotja de la Seda), erected in early Valencian Gothic style, as a World Heritage Site. The Central Market (Mercat Central) in Valencian Art Nouveau style, is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station Estació Del Nord is built in Valencian Art Nouveau (a Spanish version of Art Nouveau) style. World-renowned (and city-born) architect Santiago Calatrava produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the centre of the city. The Music Palace (Palacio de la Música de Valencia) is another noteworthy example of modern architecture in Valencia.
Plaza de la Virgen
City of Arts and Sciences
Torres de Serranos
Due to its long history, this is a city with numerous popular celebrations and traditions, such as the Fallas, which were declared as Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain in 1965 and Intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in November 2016.
Its natural attractions include over 100 kilometres of coastline, with beaches with fine golden sand. It has two nature reserves and numerous spaces for enjoying sports in the open air. Valencia’s Albufera Natural Park is home to the largest lake in Spain and one of the most important wetland areas in the Iberian Peninsula.
Albufera Natural Park
Turia Gardens
Malvarrosa Beach
Valencia is famous for its gastronomic culture. The paella (a simmered rice dish with meat (usually chicken or rabbit) or seafood) was born in Valencia. Other traditional dishes of Valencian gastronomy include “fideuà”, “arròs a banda”, “arròs negre” (black rice), “fartons”, “bunyols”, the Spanish omelette, “pinchos” and “calamares”(squids). Valencia was also the birthplace of the cold xufa beverage known as orxata, popular in many parts of the world, including the Americas.
Agua de Valencia
Horchata and Fartons
Paella Valenciana
Valencia offers an excellent range of services, which include plenty of quality accommodation, restaurants and places to eat for all tastes and budgets, and a comprehensive public transport network. It is a good choice for the art lovers, with over 30 museums to choose from, such as the IVAM or the Museum of Fine Arts. It also offers leisure activities with unique places to relax and play sports, such as the old river bed, which is now a large long garden.
For more information about Valencia, cultural events and activities, please visist https://www.visitvalencia.com/en