UNESCO has recognised the silk exchange market (La Lonja de la Seda), erected in early Valencian gothic style, as a World Heritage Site.
The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe.
The main railway station EstaciĂłn Del Norte is built in modernisme (the Spanish version of Art Nouveau) style.
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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 MĂşsica) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.
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The cathedral was called Iglesia Mayor in the early days of the Reconquista, then Seo (from Latin sedes, i.e.
(archiepiscopal) see), and in virtue of the papal concession of 16 October 1866, it was 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 AragĂłn added the tower, called "Miguelete" because it was blessed on St.
Michael's day in 1418, which is about 58 m high and finished at the top with a belfry.
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In the 15th 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 18th 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 14th century, the other is that of the Paláu.
The additions made to the back of the cathedral detract from its height.
The 18th 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".
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In 1409, a hospital was founded and placed under the patronage of Santa MarĂa 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 15th 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 Oropesa, 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.
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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.
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The largest square is the Plaça de l'Ajuntament, which contains the town hall (ajuntament), a cinema which shows classic movies (like the John Adolphsen), and many restaurants and bars.
This is where the noisy fireworks of the mascletĂ can be heard every afternoon during the Les Falles.
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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.
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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 MĂşsica is adjacent to the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences lies at one end.
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Other gardens in Valencia include the Real, Monforte, and Botanical gardens and Jardines de Real.
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Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències City of Arts and Sciences
Palau de les Arts Reina SofĂa
L'OceanogrĂ fic
El Museu de les Ciències PrĂncipe Felipe
Museu de Prehistòria de València Prehistory Museum of Valencia .
Museu ValenciĂ d'Etnologia Valencian Museum of Ethnology .
House Museum Blasco Ibáñez .
IVAM – Institut Valencià d'Art Modern – Centre Julio González Julio González Centre – Valencian Institute of Modern Art .
Museu de Belles Arts "San PĂo V" Museum of Fine Arts .
Museu Faller Falles Museum .
Museu d'Història de València Museum of History of Valencia .
Museu Taurà de València – Bullfighting Museum .
MuVIM – Museu Valencià de la Il·lustració i la Modernitat Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity .
Museo Nacional de Cerámica y de las Artes Suntuarias / Museu Nacional de Cerà mica i Arts Sumptuà ries González Martà - National Museum of Pottery and Sumptuary Arts González Martà .
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