Route through the Turia river and the City of Arts and Sciences
Another route to discover the best of Valencia: The Turia River Gardens! A spectacular park that stretches out for more than 7 kilometers and is thereby one of the largest urban gardens in Spain.
The gardens are located in the old riverbed of the Turia river and they are considered the lungs of the city. Its gardens meander through the old riverbed and divide the city into two. It became a garden around 1980, after the river was diverted because of the great flood in Valencia in 1957. Many buildings have sad reminders like marks that indicate the height that the water reached.
There are numerous bridges that cross the riverbed. Many historical ones like the oldest one, Puente de los Serranos, although it was rebuilt in the 16th century. It is located just in front of the Torres de Serranos since the 14th century which was one of the gates in the old prison wall. There are other historical bridges: the Puente de la Tinidad and the Puente del Real.
There are numerous bridges that cross the riverbed. Many historical ones like the oldest one, Puente de los Serranos, although it was rebuilt in the 16th century. It is located just in front of the Torres de Serranos since the 14th century which was one of the gates in the old prison wall. There are other historical bridges: the Puente de la Tinidad and the Puente del Real.
Among the new bridges in the old riverbed are a few particularly special ones. The ones that stand out are the Puente de la Exposición (Exhibition Bridge), designed by the Valencian Architect Santiago Calatrava, and the Puente de las Flores (Bridge of Flowers), which is decorated with seasonally changing flower gardens on the side, the Puente del Regne (the Kingdom Bridge) in which the four gargoyles - of Gothic inspiration - that mark its entrances should be highlighted. The last newly opened bridge is L’Assut de l’Or.
An essential stop inside the Gardens is the Palau de la Música, its main façade faces the old Turia river bed, at the height of the Bofill Garden. Light, water and vegetation, are united in harmony, thereby welcoming any visitor who comes to listen to good music.
An essential stop inside the Gardens is the Palau de la Música, its main façade faces the old Turia river bed, at the height of the Bofill Garden. Light, water and vegetation, are united in harmony, thereby welcoming any visitor who comes to listen to good music.
In addition, we recommend you take advantage of the opportunity and visit the Fallero Museum (Plaza Monteolivete, 4) where you can find the collection of the ninots (cardboard sculptures that make up a falla) that are saved from the fallas fire, by a number of votes since 1984. You can also find all information about the fallas there.
Following the Paseo de la Alameda you’ll arrive at the City of Arts and Sciences, which is located at the end of the riverbed. It is made up of five main buildings: the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts, dedicated to music and the performing arts. L’Hemisfèric with the shape of an eye is an IMAX, planetarium and laser cinema projection venue. The Principe Felipe Science Museum, shaped like a dinosaur skeleton, is an interactive science museum (try talking to a friend against the wall at each end of the large arches that limit the building…). The Ágora is a large multifunctional venue that hosts many events such as the Valencia 500 Tennis Open. L’Oceanogràfic has the shape of a water lily and is the largest aquarium in Europe with 110.000 square meters and 42 million liters of water.
Following the Paseo de la Alameda you’ll arrive at the City of Arts and Sciences, which is located at the end of the riverbed. It is made up of five main buildings: the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts, dedicated to music and the performing arts. L’Hemisfèric with the shape of an eye is an IMAX, planetarium and laser cinema projection venue. The Principe Felipe Science Museum, shaped like a dinosaur skeleton, is an interactive science museum (try talking to a friend against the wall at each end of the large arches that limit the building…). The Ágora is a large multifunctional venue that hosts many events such as the Valencia 500 Tennis Open. L’Oceanogràfic has the shape of a water lily and is the largest aquarium in Europe with 110.000 square meters and 42 million liters of water.