Valencia what to see and do in the "City of Calatrava" if you have 3 days available. From a few months Turin (which as you may know is the city where I live when I am not traveling) and Valencia They're closer. Merit of the new flight of Ryanair that connects the two cities every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with quite comfortable hours. Take off from Caselle at 12.50 on Monday and Friday and at 8.45 on Wednesday, while return flights always leave at 10.30 from Spain, to arrive under the Mole at 12.25. An operative that seems to be studied specifically for those who want to be a beautiful weekend full in the Spanish city.
I could have let myself miss the opportunity to finally visit the third Spanish city I still did not know? Claro que no! And so on a Friday in early May I climbed on the flight that in just over an hour and a half brought me into what in my imagination was only "the city of Calatrava", or rather than the iconic works of the most famous Valencian architect in the world. And instead it took me 3 days to find that it is much, much more.
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Valencia what to see
To understand the soul of Valencia you have to start with Ciutat Vella, actually divided into many barrios (quarters), each with its own, unmistakable character. I will not be sure to make you the list of churches and monuments to visit, they are really too many and then find them on the guides, but I want to report to you two absolutely unmissable fortresses.
The Holy Grail in the Cathedral of Valencia
The first is the Holy Grail, one of the most fascinating and mysterious treasures of Christian tradition, preserved in a chapel inside the Cathedral of Valencia of the Virgen del Carmen. The Saint Caliz, a cup of coral agate 7 cm high, is the only one in the world officially recognized by the Vatican as the cup with which Jesus celebrated the Last Supper. You didn't expect it, did you? And instead one of the most sought after relics of history is here, in front of your eyes, in a theca placed on an altar in alabaster in the center of the chapel.
But how did the Santo Graal in Valencia? Many assumptions, but according to the most accredited St. Peter would have brought him to Rome, from which he would then rocambolesically come to Spain. Here they lost their tracks for several centuries, until they reappeared in 1134 in the monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
Later, he joined the treasure of the crown of the Kings of Spain, where he remained until 1424, when he was given to the Cathedral of Valencia. Since then it is kept in the Cathedral where Papi, King and millions of pilgrims prayed, who this year will also obtain the plenary indulgence, since Pope Francis granted Valencia the celebration of the first Holy Jubilee Year.
Church of San Nicola di Bari and San Pietro Martire
Entering the church of San Nicola di Bari and San Pietro Martire, almost hidden in a street near the Plaza de la Virgen, prepare to stay open again. As happened to me before the magnificence of the frescoes that cover the walls and vaults of the sanctuary considered the Spanish Sistine Chapel. 2000 square meters of paintings have returned to shine after a restoration lasted 3 years and cost the beauty of 5 million euros.
A work considered among the most important architectural and pictorial works at international level. A work that far exceeds that made for the restoration of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which had interested "only" 800 square meters of frescoes. You can admire the paintings that tell the lives of St. Nicholas and St. Peter, which had so far been hidden from the sight of visitors.
Valencia is one of the world capitals of contemporary architecture
The City of Arts and Sciences
You may love or not Calatrava, but it is likely that you will attract Valencia It's just... the City of Arts and Sciences designed by the famous Valencian architect together with Felix Candela. An iconic and grandiose complex, which has transformed the quiet Spanish city into a capital of contemporary architecture and that alone is worth the journey.
Take it easy and spend at least half a day visiting the largest cultural and recreational centre in Europe, consisting of five structures arranged about 2 kilometers long than the bed of the river Turia. If you are passionate about photography, here you have a highly spectacular set and you can unwind with the goal by walking on the shores of the artificial lake where the various buildings are mirrored or inside the Umbracle, the garden-belvedere which is also the best observation point on the whole complex.
But if you have time don’t miss the opportunity to attend a theatrical show at Palace of the Arts Queen Sofia, a digital 3D or IMAX film in Hemisfèric, which contains the largest projection room in Spain, or to visit the Museum of Sciences Prince Philip, that will amaze you with an interactive journey dedicated to the evolution of life, science and technology and with phenomenal exhibitions, such as the one on the Dinosaurs scheduled this summer.
The Oceanogràfic
As for me, I chose to visitOceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe where the main marine ecosystems were recreated, populated by something like 45,000 living beings.
In a few hours I went from the Mediterranean to the tropical seas, from the Oceans to the Red Sea, to the Arctic, going through glazed tunnels where it seemed to be immersed in marine depths along with sharks, multicolored fish, seals, penguins and beluga whales. And at the end of the visit I was so lucky that I could also attend the last performance of the day (at 18) of dolphins in Europe’s largest Delphine.
Valencia most beautiful beaches
Valencia is a seaside town reminiscent of Miami in the Mediterranean version. The front of the port of Valencia, restored and ennobled in 2007 to welcome the 32nd America’s Cup, is today the chicthing Marina Real Juan Carlos I, bordered by boundless beaches such as El Cabanyal and Malvarrosa, the promenade that vaguely recalls the Ocean Drive of Miami Beach is one of the coolest places for a summer evening.
Not for nothing here has recently opened the newest Marina Beach Club, with infinity pool, pool bar, private beach and terrace on the sea, which has already become one of the top of the Valencian movida.
Among the local top of the area there is also the Vlue Arribar, where we had lunch on a terrace overlooking the avenue of sails and stratospheric yachts that enter and exit from the marina and that made me come a crazy desire to go out to the sea. That said, I landed on the Mundo Marino (www.mundomarino.es), a catamaran that makes excursions of a few hours or a whole day in the waters where theAmerica’s Cup…
And if you too are passionate about sailing, you can imagine the emotion that I tried to get out of the port passing right next to the Veles and Vents, the headquarters of the organizing committee of the America’s Cup.
