The City of Arts and Sciences is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex.
It is situated to the South of the city in the former riverbed of the river Turia. The river Turia was drained and rerouted after a catastrophic flood in 1957 and now they have turned the riverbed into a picturesque sunken park.
The Museum of Science is an interactive museum and the building resembles the skeleton of a whale. This magnificent building stands 220 metres long, 80 metres wide and 55 metres high.
L’umbracale is an open structure that envelopes a landscaped walk with plant species indigenous to Valencia and a great selection of sculptures. This was designed as the entrance to the science park.
Oceangraphic is the largest aquarium in Europe and has been built in the shape of a water lily. It is the home to over 500 species.
The Palace of Arts is an opera house and performing arts centre. It is surrounded by 87,000 square metres of landscape and water.
El Pont de l’Assut de l’Or is a white cable stayed bridge crossing the dry Turia riverbed. The tower of the bridge is 125 metres high and is the highest point in the city.
The Hemisphere is an IMAX cinema and the building is meant to resemble a giant eye. This is the centrepiece of the City of Arts and Sciences and was the first building to be completed.
L’Agora is a covered plaza where concerts and sporting events are held. Important events have been held here but it currently looked like it was having some renovation.
There was also a small Christmas market with a variety of street food stalls so we stopped for a late lunch and then walked up through the park to into the City.
We hadn’t anticipated how large the park and complex was. It took us the best part of the day to walk around the park, it is such a great place to spend some time.
