Valencia is on the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Barcelona. They speak a version of Catalan they call Valenciana, as well as Spanish. I stayed in this ancient pink brick apartment building on the Carrer D'Albacete, a short walk from the central market (below) and just beyond that, El Carme (the classic old quarter). The strip of park that bends in the middle is the old bed of the River Turia, which had formerly caused terrific flooding to the city. So the government moved the river to the south (1964-73), and in the old river bed created the sunken Turia Gardens (link). (see map below)
Above is the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the largest plaza in Valencia, and in which is located the Ayuntamiento or Municipal government building (picture to the right). It is a block from the Estacion del Norte (right) and the picture below is of the colorful ceramic tile work in the waiting room.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
At the southeast end of the Turia sunken riverbed park is the City of Arts and Sciences, a collection of 7 ultra-modern buildings, bridges, and gardens designed by Valenciano architect Santiago Calatrava, and Madrileñ0 Felix Candela. These include L'Hemisféric (an IMAX cinema), Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, L'Umbracle (an open structure containing a landscaped walk), L'Oceanográfic, and Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofía (opera and performing arts center)
