Where is it? Valencia is the third largest city of Spain and is located on the Mediterranean sea halfway down the east coast of Spain.
What is its history? Although settlements go back many more years, the Romans developed the area around Valencia as land was given to soldiers as retirement payment. Valencia started to blossom a thousand years ago and became an important seafaring city and frontier city in the wars between Christian and Moorish forces in what is known as the “Reconquista”. The legendary figure “El Cid” conquered and defended the city but the story of him strapped to his horse to attack the Moorish troops when he had died already are almost certainly untrue.
Valencia had long spells of independence and mixed affiliations with the Catalan empire in the early part of the last millennium and later on became part of the Spanish crown.
Where’s the beach? For centuries, the seaside of Valencia was a neglected part of town inhabited by fishermen and workers. The city centre is much further removed from the beach than is the case in other coastal cities. The reason was the important river Turia on which banks the city was built. The city has grown so much in the last few centuries that the seaside is now completely integrated. The staging of the 2007 America’s Cup (the biggest sailing event in the world) was an excellent reason to redevelop the beaches and port making it now one of the hotspots of Valencia.
What is there to see? Valencia combines beautiful historic architecture (Roman, Moorish and Medieval) with amazing new architecture. The latter being the product of the architect Santiago Calatrava who built the “City of the Sciences and Arts” in the now defunct riverbed in between the old city and the sea. The Cathedral of Valencia is one of the oldest and largest in the world.
What to eat and drink? They say that the paella was invented by Roman soldiers who combined a newly imported grain called rice with the local food supply: eel, snails and rabbit. The more modern paella features seafood. Another product with a long attachment to Valencia is the orange and it is therefore no surprise that the local tipple “Agua de Valencia” combines orange juice, cava, wodka and gin.
How do I get there? Valencia has an international airport (called Manises) connecting most European countries with the city. You can also get there by fast train from Madrid and Barcelona.
Where’s the school? Our Spanish language school in Valencia just moved to a new building in the heart of the city. You can find us on calle Poeta Querol 5 or simply visit our website for more information: http://www.babylon-idiomas.com/en/learn-spanish-valencia.htm
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