Valencia (Spanish: Valencia
[ba'lenθja];[1] Valencian: València [va'ɫɛnsia]) is the capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia and its province. It
is the third largest city in Spain and the 15st largest city of the European Union. It
forms part of an industrial area on the Costa del Azahar.
The estimated population of the city of Valencia proper was 807,396 as of 2006 estimates. Population of the urban area was
1,212,000 as of 2000 estimates. Population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus
satellite towns) was 1,907,396 as of 2006 estimates. As of 2007, the mayor of Valencia is Rita Barberá Nolla.
Valencia has a very changeable Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers,
mild humid winters and stormy autumn and springs.[2]
Name
The original Latin name of the city was Valentia (/wa'lentia/),
meaning "Strength", "Vigor", the city being named after Emperor Valens, who ordered the
foundation of a new colony in Hispania, taken care by later Emperor Theodosius I. During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية
Balansiya) in Arabic.
By regular sound changes this has become Valencia (/ba'lenθja/) in Castilian
Spanish and València (/va'ɫɛnsia/) in Valencian. One possible pronunciation in
Valencian /va'lensia/.
History
Pavement of a Valencia street, with arbour
The city of Valencia, originally named Valentia, is in the region known in ancient days as Edetania. The Roman
historian Florus says that Junius Brutus, the conqueror of
Viriathus, transferred there (140 BC) the soldiers who had fought under him. Later it was a Roman military colony. In punishment
for its adherence to Sertorius it was destroyed by Pompey, but was later rebuilt, and Pomponius Mela says that it was one of
the principal cities of Hispania Tarraconensis province. The city was founded by
the Romans in 137 BC on the site of a former
Iberian town, by the river Turia.
The city has been occupied by the Visigoths, Moors and the
Aragonese.
Abdelazid, son of Muzza, took the city and, breaking the terms of surrender, pillaged it. Rodrigo
Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), 'the Cid' reconquered Valencia for the first time on 15 June
1094, turned nine mosques into churches, and installed as bishop the French monk Jérôme (this
victory was immortalised in the Lay of the Cid). On the death of the Cid (July 1099),
his wife, Doña Ximena, retained power for two years, when Valencia was besieged by the Almoravids, and the city returned to the
Almoravids in 1102. Although the 'Emperor of Spain' Alfonso drove them from the city,
he was not strong enough to hold it. The Christians set fire to it, abandoned it, and the Almoravid Masdali took possession of it
on 5 May 1109. King James I of
Aragon the Conqueror, with an army composed of French, English, Germans, and Italians, laid siege to Valencia, and on
28 September 1238 forced a surrender. 50,000 Moors left the
city and on 9 October the king, followed by his retinue and army, took possession. The
principal mosque was purified, Mass was celebrated, and the "Te Deum" sung. James incorporated city and territory into the new
formed Kingdom of Valencia, one of the kingdoms forming the Crown of Aragon.
Catholic sources tell that Saint Vincent Ferrer preached so successfully (sometime
between 1390 and 1411), converting thousands of Jews, that he was permitted to employ the synagogue
for his newly-founded hospital of San Salvador.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Valencia was one of the major cities in the Mediterranean. The writer Joanot Martorell, author of
Tirant lo Blanch, and the poet Ausias March
are famous Valencians of that era.
The first printing press in the Iberian Peninsula was located in Valencia. The first printed Bible in a Romance language,
Valencian, was printed in Valencia circa 1478, attributed to Bonifaci Ferrer. See
Spread of printing.
Valencian bankers loaned funds to Queen Isabella for Columbus' trip in 1492.
A narrow street of the Old Medieval City.
War of the Germanies ("brotherhoods") 1519–1522.
Expulsion of Moriscos in 1609.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Valencia sided with Charles
of Austria. On 24 January 1706, Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough, 1st Earl of Monmouth, led a
handful of English cavalrymen into the city after riding south from Barcelona, capturing the nearby fortress at Sagunto, and
bluffing the Spanish Bourbon army into withdrawal.
The English held the city for 16 months and defeated several attempts to expel them. English soldiers advanced as far as
Requena on the road to Madrid.
After the victory of the Bourbons at the Battle of Almansa (25 April 1707), the English army evacuated Valencia and the city subsequently
lost its privileges or furs.
During the Peninsular War Valencia was besieged by the French under Marshal Suchet
from Christmas day 1811, until it fell on January 8 the next year.
The last victim of the Spanish inquisition, a local schoolteacher called Cayetano
Ripoll, was executed in Valencia in July 1826 accused being a deist and freemason.
During the Spanish Civil War, the capital of the Republic was moved to Valencia,
and the city suffered from the blockade and siege by Franco's forces. However, the postwar period was hard for Valencians. During
the Franco years, speaking or teaching Valencian was prohibited (in a significant reversal it
is now compulsory for every child studying in Valencia).
In 1957 the city suffered a severe flood by the Turia River, with metres ( ft) in some streets. One consequence of
this was that a decision was made to drain and reroute the river and it now passes around the Western and southern suburbs of the
city. A plan to turn the drained area into a motorway was dropped in favour of a picturesque km ( mi) park which
bisects the city.
Valencia was granted Autonomous Statutes in 1982.
Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic America's Cup yacht race becoming
the first European city to do so. The America's Cup match was to have place in June
2007.
On 3 July 2006, just days before a Catholic celebration to be
led by Pope Benedict, Valencia was the scene of a subway accident in which
over 40 people died. The investigation is still ongoing.
On 9 July 2006, during Mass at Valencia's Cathedral, Our Lady of
the Forsaken Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI used, at the World Day of Families, the
Santo Caliz, a 1st-century Middle-Eastern artifact believed by many to be the Holy
Grail. It was supposedly brought to that church by Emperor Valerian in the 3rd century, after having been brought from
Jerusalem by St. Peter to Rome. The Santo Caliz ("Holy Chalice") is a simple, small stone cup. Its base was added in
medieval times and consists of fine gold, alabaster, and gem stones[3].
On 3 July 2007, Alinghi defeats Team New Zealand,
and successfully defends the America's Cup. 22 days after, on 25 July 2007, the leaders of the Alinghi syndicate, holder of the America's Cup, officially announced Valencia would be the host city for the 33rd America's Cup, to be
carried out on June 2009.[4]
Architecture
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 century, is primarily of Gothic style but contains
elements of Baroque and Romanesque
architecture. Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La
Virgen De Los Desamparados). The 15th century Serrano and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall
surrounding the city.
UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La
Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the
largest in Europe. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in art deco
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 center of the city. The Music Palace (Palau De La Música) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.
The Cathedral of Valencia
The cathedral was called in the early days of the Reconquista Iglesia Mayor, then Seo (from Latin sedes, i.e.
(archiepiscopal) see), and in virtue of the papal concession of 16 October, 1866, it is called the Basilica metropolitana. It is
situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood. In Gothic times it seems to have
been dedicated to the most Holy Saviour; the Cid dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin; King
Jaime the Conqueror did likewise, leaving in the main chapel the image of the Blessed
Virgin which he carried with him and which is believed to be the one which is now preserved in the sacristy. The Moorish mosque,
which had been converted into a Christian church by the conqueror, appeared unworthy of the title of the cathedral of Valencia,
and in 1262 Bishop Andrés de Albalat laid the cornerstone of the new Gothic building, with three naves; these reach only to the
choir of the present building. Bishop Vidal de Blanes built the magnificent chapter hall, and Jaime de Aragón added the tower,
called "Miguelete" because it was blessed on St. Michael's day in 1418, which is about feet ( m) high and finished at
the top with a belfry.
In the fifteenth century the dome was added and the naves extended back of the choir, uniting the building to the tower and
forming a main entrance. Archbishop Luis Alfonso de los Cameros began the building of the main chapel in 1674; the walls were
decorated with marbles and bronzes in the over-ornate style of that decadent period. At the beginning of the eighteenth century
the German Conrad Rudolphus built the façade of the main entrance. The other two doors lead into the transept; one, that of the
Apostles in pure pointed Gothic, dates from the fourteenth century, the other is that of the Paláu. The additions made to the
back of the cathedral detract from its height. The eighteenth century-restoration rounded the pointed arches, covered the Gothic
columns with Corinthian pillars, and redecorated the walls. The dome has no lantern,
its plain ceiling being pierced by two large side windows. There are four chapels on either side, besides that at the end and
those that open into the choir, the transept, and the presbyterium. It contains many paintings by eminent artists. A magnificent
silver reredos, which was behind the altar, was carried away in the war of 1808, and converted
into coin to meet the expenses of the campaign. Behind the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is a beautiful little Renaissance chapel built by Calixtus III. Beside the cathedral
is the chapel dedicated to the "Virgen de los desamparados".
In 1409 a hospital was founded and placed under the patronage of Santa María de los Inocentes; to this was attached a
confraternity devoted to recovering the bodies of the unfriended dead in the city and within a radius of three miles (5 km)
around it. At the end of the fifteenth century this confraternity separated from the hospital, and continued its work under the
name of "Cofradia para el ámparo de los desamparados". King Philip IV of Spain and
the Duke of Arcos suggested the building of the new chapel, and in 1647 the Viceroy, Conde de Orpesa, who had been preserved from the bubonic plague,
insisted on carrying out their project. The Blessed Virgin was proclaimed patroness of the
city under the title of "Virgen de los desamparados" 'Virgin of the abandonees', and Archbishop Pedro de Urbina, on 31 June,
1652, laid the corner-stone of the new chapel of this name. The archiepiscopal palace, a grain market in the time of the Moors,
is simple in design, with an inside cloister and a handsome chapel. In 1357 the arch which connects it with the cathedral was
built. In the council chamber are preserved the portraits of all the prelates of Valencia.
Among the parish churches those deserving special mention are: Saints John (Baptist and Evangelist), rebuilt in 1368, whose
dome, decorated by Palonino, contains some of the best frescoes of Spain; El Templo 'the Temple', the ancient church of the
Knights Templar, which passed into the hands of the Order of Montesa and which was rebuilt in the reigns of Ferdinand VI and Charles III; the former convent of
the Dominicans, at present the headquarters of the "capital general", the cloister of which
has a beautiful Gothic wing and the chapter room, large columns imitating palm trees; the Colegio del Corpus Christi, which is
devoted to the exclusive worship of the Blessed Sacrament, and in which perpetual adoration is carried on; the Jesuit college, which was destroyed (1868) by the revolutionary Committee, but rebuilt on the same
site; the Colegio de San Juan (also of the Society), the former college of the nobles, now a provincial institute for secondary
instruction.
Squares and gardens
The largest square is the Plaça de
l'Ajuntament, which contains the town hall (ajuntament), a cinema which shows classic movies (La Filmoteca), and many
restaurants and bars. This is where the noisy fireworks of the mascletà can be heard every afternoon during the Las Fallas.
The Plaça de la Verge contains the Basilica of the Virgin and the Turia fountain, and
is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Around the corner is the Plaça de la Reina, with the Cathedral, orange trees, and many
bars and restaurants.
The Turia River was diverted in the 1960s, after severe
flooding, and the old river bed is now the Turia gardens, which contain a children’s playground, a fountain, and sports fields.
The Palau de la Música is adjacent to the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences lies at one end.
Other gardens in Valencia include the Real, Monforte, and Botanical gardens.
Education
The city has four universities:
Economy
Valencia has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last decade, much of it spurred by tourism and the construction
industry.
Port
Valencia’s port is one of the biggest on the Mediterranean coast and the first of Spain, handling 20% of Spain’s exports. The
main exports are food and drink (the Valencian region is famous for its oranges),
furniture, ceramic tiles, fans, textiles and iron products. Valencia’s manufacturing sector focuses on metallurgy, chemicals,
textiles, shipbuilding and brewing. Unemployment is lower than the Spanish average. Small and medium sized industries are an
important part of the local economy.
Following the announcement that the 32nd America's Cup is coming to Valencia in 2007, the port underwent radical changes in
which the port was divided into two parts, one part remaining unchanged while the other section would be used exclusively for the
America's Cup festivities. The two sections are now divided by a wall that goes deep into the water in an attempt to maintain
clean water for the America's Cup side.
Tourism
Formerly an industrial city, Valencia saw rapid development that started in the mid-1990s, expanding its cultural and
touristic possibilities, which turned it into a vibrant city, restoring old landmarks like the old Towers of the medieval city
(Serrano Towers and Quart Towers), monasteries like the San Miguel de los Reyes
monastery, which now holds a specialized library, the whole Malvarrossa beach, with
the construction of a km ( mi) long paseo or complete quarters, like the old Carmen Quarter, which has seen
extensive renovation.
Another appealing feature of the city is its numerous convention centres, like the
Valencia Fair (Feria de Valencia), the Conference Palace (Palau de Congressos) and several 5 star hotels.
Additionally, Valencia is now hosting several world events.
The city of Valencia and the surrounding area are expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world given that
the city of Valencia has been chosen to host the 32nd America's Cup. The first America's
Cup competitions took place in June and July 2005 and were key attractions during the summer of 2005. According to official data
from the organizing committee, as many as 150,000 visitors flocked to Valencia's port each day during the two-week events. The
Swiss Alinghi Team, which choose Valencia as host city in the first place, has announced that if
they win again, Valencia will be chosen again as the host of the 2009 America's Cup.
Also, on 10 May 2007, Bernie
Ecclestone announced that Valencia will be the host of a urban circuit of
F1, beginning in 2008, and on 1 June 2007 the contract was
signed in the F1 headquarters.
Culture
Children marching to school in Valencia
Valencia is known for Las Fallas, which is a famous local festival held in March, for
paella valenciana, traditional Valencian ceramics, intricate traditional dress, and the
striking new architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences designed by
its own son, architect Santiago Calatrava.
La Tomatina, an annual tomato fight, draws crowds to the nearby town of Buñol in August.
There are also a number of well preserved Catholic fiestas throughout the year. Semana Santa
celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colourful in Spain. Valencia has a metro
system, the Valencia Metro.
Valencia is also famous for it's football club Valencia C.F., which won the
Spanish league in 2002 and 2004 (in which year it also won the UEFA
Cup), and was also a UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2000 and 2001, it
is one of the most famous football clubs in Spain and Internationally.
Languages
The two official languages spoken in the city are Spanish and Valencian, a dialect of
Catalan. Due to political and demographic pressure in the past, the predominant language is Spanish, as opposed to areas
surrounding the metropolitan area in the province of Valencia. The local government makes sure it emphasizes the use of the local language.
For instance, all signs and announcements in the Metro are in Valencian, with Spanish translations underneath in smaller type. In
relation to street naming policy, new street signs when erected are always given the Valencian name for street (Carrer) however
the older street names bearing the Spanish names are only replaced when necessary. This results in a situation where in longer
streets both languages can often be seen on street signs.
Nightlife
Valencia is famous for its vibrant nightlife. In the 1980s and 1990s clubbers would follow the "ruta del bacalao" from
Madrid to Valencia. Today, the more alternative/bohemian bars and nightclubs are concentrated in
the Carmen, while the student nightlife is found around Blasco Ibanez and the more mainstream weekend nightlife has its clusters
in the areas of Canovas and Juan Llorens. In the summer there is also nightlife on the beach and at the Port and Malvarossa
Beach. Since the America's Cup is taking place at Valencia, new clubs have been opened and people from all nations go there to
party every weekend. As is normal for Spain, nightlife does not take off until well after midnight. Agua de Valencia is the city's unofficial cocktail.
Food
Valencia is famous due to its wonderful gastronomic culture. Paella, orxata, fartons, potato omellette, rosquilletas, iced
lemon, squids, are some of the examples of food in Valencia.
Museums
Museums in Valencia include:
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (arts and science)
- Instituto Valenciano De Arte Moderno (IVAM, modern art)
- Museo De Bellas Artes (fine art)
- Museo de Prehistoria de
Valencia
- Museo Fallero & Museo Del Artista Fallero (Les Falles)
- Museo Taurino (bullfighting)
- Museo Del Arroz (rice)
- Museo Valenciano de la ilustración y la Modernidad (MUVIM, various exhibits)
- Almudín (various exhibits, mainly art and archaeology)
- Museo de Semana Santa
- Museum of Corpus
- Museum of Ceramics
- Museum of Valencian History
- Museum of Alfonso Pascual Maldonado
- Museum of Parro
Transportation
Public transport is provided by the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat
Valenciana (FGV) which operates the Valencia Metro and other rail and bus
services.
Districts of Valencia
- CIUTAT VELLA: La Seu, La Xerea, El Carmen, El Pilar, El Mercado, San Francisco.
- EXTENSIÒ: Russafa, El Pla del Remei, Gran Via.
- EXTRAMURS: El Botànic, La Roqueta, La Pechina, Arrancapins.
- CAMPANAR: Campanar, Les Tendetes, El Calvari, Sant Pau.
- LA SAÏDIA: Marxalenes, Morvedre, Trinitat, Tormos, Sant Antoni.
- PLA DEL REAL: Exposició, Mestalla, Jaume Roig, Ciutat Universitària
- OLIVERETA: Nou Moles, Soternes, Tres Forques, La Fontsanta, La Luz.
- PATRAIX: Patraix, Sant Isidre, Vara de Quart, Safranar, Favara.
- JESUS: La Raiosa, L'Hort de Senabre, The Covered Cross, Saint Marcelino, Real Way.
- QUATRE CARRERES: Montolivet, En Corts, Malilla, La Font de Sant
Lluís, Na Rovella, La Punta, Ciutat de les Arts i les
Ciències.
- POBLATS MARÍTIMS: El Grau, El Cabanyal, El Canyameral, La Malva-Rosa, Beteró, Nazaret.
- CAMINS DEL GRAU: Aiora, Albors, Creu del Grau, Camí Fondo, Penya-Roja.
- ALGIROS: Illa Perduda, Ciutat Jardí, Amistat, Vega Baixa, la Carrasca.
- BENIMACLET: Benimaclet, Camí de Vera.
- RASCANYA: Orriols, Torrefiel, Sant Llorenç.
- BENICALAP: Benicalap, Ciutat Fallera.
- POBLES DEL NORD: Benifaraig, Poble Nou, Carpesa , Cases de Bàrcena, Mauella, Massarrojos, Borbotó.
- POBLES DE L'OEST: Benimàmet, Beniferri.
- POBLES DEL SUD: Forn d'Alcedo, Castellar-l'Oliveral, Pinedo, el Saler, el Palmar, el Perellonet, la Torre, Faitanar.
Gallery
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Cathedral Tower : El Micalet
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The Cathedral of València
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Marqués de Dos Aigües Palace
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L'Hemisfèric, a 3-D Cinema
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The City of Arts and Sciences
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Town Twinning (Sister Cities)
See also
References
External links
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