Here’s yet another piece of surprising architecture from Spain – Valencia’s famous Ciudad de las Artes y Las Ciencias, the City of Arts and Sciences. Seriously, how many cool buildings can one country have? When it comes to Spain, the answer is a LOT! Just check this bad boy out:
This building is such an iconic symbol of Valencia that before I went, it was pretty much the only thing I recognized as specifically being from Valencia. It’s surrounded by water, and that’s because it’s built on an old riverbed. Today, they’ve changed the riverbed into a sunken park. You can’t see the water in my photo except for in the reflection in the windows, but it washes the whole complex in a pretty teal color.
The City of Arts and Sciences has everything from a planetarium to a movie theater to a performing arts center. There are lots of museums and fun things to look at. The building itself is pretty fun to look at, actually. This particular part is shaped to look like a whale skeleton.
Even though it’s such an iconic building for Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences has actually been really controversial. It cost some serious cash to build, and it wasn’t even finished by its inauguration day, so some people see it as a very tangible reminder of mismanaged funds.
Controversy aside, I bet you could spend an entire day going around this complex – there are five different sections. Unfortunately, I only had a couple of hours but it was still great to look at such a weird, fascinating building.
I’ll have more on Valencia soon with posts about Las Fallas and more! I didn’t get to try their famous paella when I was there, but I’m hoping I’ll get to go back to taste it for myself soon. I’ve had paella in other places in Spain, of course, though never in the place where it comes from.
Besos!
-Jess
Fallas is fantastic but don’t forget the craziness of the mascletá! Amunt Valencia 🙂
Ooh yeah, that was a lot of fun! I couldn’t believe how noisy it was.
I thought I had shell-shock afterwards. I loved Valencia 😀
The Science Park in Valencia is amazingly futuristic – especially when you contrast it with the old part of the city, nearby. Yes, definitely worth a visit!
I only got to see a tiny bit of the old part of the city because it was so crowded for Las Fallas. I’m hoping to go back to get a good look at it.
Love Valencia! It has it all; lovely old buildings, beautiful modern architecture as in your photo, paella and Las Fallas. Who could want more?
Exactly! I didn’t get too see too much of the old part or even eat paella as I was only there for a day, but I’d love to get back soon!
This building is sick! It’s actually kind of hard to tear my eyes away from that photo haha.
I have a long list of places I’d like to visit in Spain, but I have to say Valencia is nowhere near the top. I have friends that studied there and loved it, but nothing I’ve seen or read has truly sparked my interest like Galicia or País Vasco. Any thoughts that may change my mind? xx
Hmm…I was only there for a day (an inebriated day) so I’m definitely not an expert by any means. Apart from the festival, I didn’t see too much of the city.
But Las Fallas was another one of those great Spanish parties that has a long, traditional history. I really liked seeing the blend of old and new mixed into one wild and crazy fiesta.
Plus, paella and the beach! 🙂 (although I didn’t actually try paella in Valencia…)
The buildings are indeed very pretty but apparently they haven’t been built with the best materials and some of them need of urgent repairs… 🙁 So typically spanish…
Ooh that’s a shame! Too bad 🙁
Always enjoy my time in Valencia! Pity the city has been mismanaged over the years, but at least they have invested in the port, and the City of Arts ad Sciences etc as these will be lasting legacies. Calatrava is one of my favourite architects! Have you been to Bilbao?
I haven’t been to Bilbao yet! But it’s on my summer travel agenda. Any suggestions for what do to/see?