Valencia
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, with a population of 810,064 in 2008. The city is situated in the middle of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline and overlooks the Gulf of Valencia. A group of fairly high mountains with rolling look down on the city.
Valencia located equally far from Madrid and Barcelona, two main cities of Spain is also integrated into the industrial area on the Costa del Azahar.
The city is in possession of wide monumental heritage and the City of Arts and Sciences, an avant-garde and futuristic museum complex is known to be its landmark.
Among many attractions for tourists, the Falles (the main festival) is known worldwide and the traditional dish, paella, is also known to have originated around Valencia.
Valencia used to be known as an industrial city until a while ago. Following the development that started in the mid-1990s the cultural and touristic offerings of the city improved swiftly and changed it in to a very popular tourist destination. At the time old landmarks like the old Towers of the medieval city (Serrano Towers and Quart Towers), monasteries like the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery and the old Carmen Quarter were restored.
The city is also famous for its numerous convention centres, like the Valencia Fair (Feria de Valencia), the Conference Palace (Palau de Congressos) and many 5 star hotels.
FESTIVALS
The calendar of popular fiestas is rich and varied in Valencia. Each part of the year has its own celebration and recollection of tradition. The bonfires of San Antonio Abad come first on the calendar, with burning pyres of firewood and the blessing of animals. Of particular note is the one held in Canals. On March 19th, the Fallas dedicated to St. Joseph take over the streets of the capital and of over 60 other towns in the province. On the appointed day, huge platforms bearing intricate cardboard figures are erected, to be burnt four days later amid a blaze of fireworks. These are the fiestas which attract the largest number of spectators and arouse most interest among visitors, drawn by the colorfulness of the Passacaglia, the offering to the Virgen of the helpless and the fireworks display.The Corpus Christi, Fiesta of Moors and Christians and of course, the famous tomato-throwing festival of “La Tomatina”, are other fiestas of Valencia.
Editor