• About
  • Barcelona
  • Bilbao
  • Córdoba
  • Granada
  • Madrid
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • Segovia
  • Sevilla
  • Toledo
  • Valencia

History of Spain – City Blog

History of Spain – City Blog

Category Archives: Valencia

Valencia’s Early History

20 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by Shawn Shiflett in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

Roman Occupation and the Iberos

Valencia is a port city located along the eastern coast of Spain, and this geography has led it to have a fascinating history. The city was first mentioned in the historical record by an individual known as Livy, who was a Roman historian during first century BCE. In this account, he declared that a leader and his soldiers settled there, thus establishing a colony around the year 138 BCE. In its early stages as a Roman colony, Valencia was an important commercial center due to its position along on the Mediterranean Sea which allowed for the city to trade directly with Rome. Further, the Iberos (the native inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula) were encouraged to move to the city as a way for them to better assimilate into Roman society, as they did not initially welcome the newcomers with open arms. In fact, at the beginning of the Roman conquest of the region and well into it, the Iberos frequently resisted their advances which often led to violent uprisings. Some of the ways the Romans tried to encourage the Iberos to settle in Valencia was through the construction of bath houses, laundry houses, roads, and even a circus that hosted chariot racing.

Vicente de Huesca

Vicente de Huesca was a Christian deacon in Valencia during the late third century BCE. In 303 CE, the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, began persecuting people in occupied territory if they did not make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Huesca refused to do so which led to his death in 304 CE, so he became a martyr and ultimately the patron saint of Valencia. Vicente de Huesca is an important figure because his death provides evidence that Christianity had taken hold in Spain by that time.

Vicente de Huesca

The Visigoths, Moors, and El Cid

Following the years of Roman occupation, Valencia came under control of the Visigoths, who were a groups of peoples with Germanic origin. This period began in 413 CE and was characterized by one continuous conflict which was based on whether or not the king should be hereditary or elected by the people.

Around 714 CE, Valencia was taken by the Moors, who were a group of Muslim Berbers and Arabs. Muslim control of the Iberian Peninsula, however, began in 711 with an invasion by both Arabs and Berbers, and it ended in 1492 with the fall of the final Moorish kingdom, Granada. Valencia is a notable location in the romanticized and heroic tale of Rodrigo Díaz, or El Cid. Díaz was born into an aristocratic family during the eleventh century CE and quickly rose to prominence in the court primarily due to his military training at an early age which ultimately led him to secure the position of armiger to Prince Sancho. The city of Valencia had been taken over by the Almoravids, who were fundamentalist Muslim Berbers, but El Cid and his knights were able to oust their opposition and claim Valencia for themselves until his death.

Saint Vincent Ferrer/Martyr Festivals

20 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by Andrew Taylor in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

If you study abroad during the beginning of April, you have to go to the Saint Vicente Ferrer Festival! Saint Vincent Ferrer was a Valencian native and an Aragonese friar who was involved with ending the Great Western Schism. He is patron saint of builders, construction workers, plumbers, fishermen, and orphanages who is known for religious poverty and austerity, as well as fasting. He was believed to be a miracle maker. In 1412, Saint Vincent Ferrer was able to elect Ferdinand I King of Aragon and persuade him to stop supporting the antipope, Benedict (XIII). Eventually, in November 1417, the Great Western Schism finally ended after the election of Pope Martin V.

In terms of the festival, it takes place on April 5th on his death day. The Catholic Church observes the holiday although it’s not recognized as an official holiday. Most stores will be closed in Valencia for the festival. You can expect parades in the streets in the center of the city, with people dressed in Valencian clothing, and groups of musicians will be playing throughout the event. The biggest parade takes place along the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, starting at 1:00 PM.

The main event is a procession that carries a statue of St. Vincent Ferrer to the city cathedral. During which, you can watch recreations of Ferrer’s miracles, performed by children. There are also multiple altars that have been built across the city. There will also be a special mass in the Basílica Catedral de San Pedro in the morning.


Festival of San Vicente Mártir

If you can’t make it to that festival, don’t worry, there’s another festival on January 22th.

Saint Vincent Martyr is a protector of Valencia, and he is known as the martyr of the west which makes Valencia the final destination of the most important pilgrimage route in Europe called the “Camino de Levante”.

For how the parade will go, at 9:00 AM, the chimes herald the Pontifical High Mass which is held at 10:30 AM in the Cathedral. 11:30 AM, the General Procession begins which starts from the Cathedral. The rapid ringing of bells announces that the procession and the Statue of the Saint are leaving through the “Los Hierros” door.

The route commemorates the places associated with the martyrdom of the Saint. It goes across Plaza de la Reina to the start of Calle San Vicente, heading towards Calle del Mar. It then goes down Calle Avellanas then passes two chapels that were dedicated to him. There, a small liturgy takes place which is led by the Archbishop of Valencia. Finally, the procession returns to the Cathedral through the “Palau” door.

The celebrations continue at 8:00 PM with a Mozarabic mass at the Cristo Rey Church. It’s also one of the few masses (other is in Toledo) that is held in Spain.


Even if you can’t make those two festivals, there’s other holidays for different saints as well as the “Las Fallas” festival. Students should expect to have a great time witnessing how different cultures celebrate notable members of their community, as well as learning how these saints came to be by the portrayals of the festivals. Hopefully we’ll see you there!

¡Adiós!

Las Fallas

20 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by Gonzalo Carrasco in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

If you study abroad in Spain, or even in Europe, I would highly recommend you to pay special attention to this section. “Las Fallas”  is one of the most traditional festivities in Valencia where you will find yourself within a great environment that mixes traditional culture such as special cuisine during these dates, abstract parades that drive around the city, and some of the most awesome and loudest fireworks and firecrackers in Europe. This festivity is very traditional and representative from the region of Valencia, and it gathers people from every age, different regions in Spain, and even people from around the world come to Valencia to celebrate “Las Fallas” and enjoy the Valencian culture at its highest point.

The Fallas celebration, which honors Valencia’s extensive relationship with
the Silk Roads, is undoubtedly one of the most significant traditional
celebrations of silk in Valencia. Traditional Valencian silk dresses have seen
a rebirth as a result, reviving 18th-century fashions. The well-known
traditional clothing worn by the “Falleros” and “Falleras”
is produced from embroidered silks and other unique textiles in a variety of
colors and patterns, upholding the custom of using old manual silk looms to
weave them. In fact, one of the main focuses of the “Valencia City of
Silk” campaign in 2015 was the fact that Valencia is still one of the few
places in Spain where silk is still woven by hand.Programa de Fallas 2019 - salirenvalencia

 

The enormous “Falla,” a monolith constructed of caricature artwork
done by regional artists and crafters, is another highlight of the festival and
offers an occasionally sarcastic commentary on current societal issues. The
“Falla” is a temporary structure that is often built in a town square
over the course of many months by painters, sculptors, and carpenters. It is
lit on fire at the conclusion of the celebration on the evening of St. Joseph’s
Day, burning to ashes in a bonfire to represent the rebirth of social activity.
Throughout the celebration, marching bands parade the streets, there is an
abundance of street food, and the “Falleros” and “Falleras”
put on fireworks displays and other pyrotechnic events. Each year, a so-called
“Fallas Queen” is also chosen to promote the celebration and entice
residents and guests to take part.

Las Fallas in Valencia: 10 Travel-Tipps für Europas lautestes Festival

The festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring each year from March 14
to 19, offers a chance for group creativity and the preservation of traditional
arts and crafts. Additionally, it fosters cultural identification and a sense
of community pride, strengthening social cohesiveness. The celebration still
serves as a reminder of Valencia’s close ties to the ancient Silk Roads today.
In the past, it was a means of preserving the Valencian language at a period
when it was illegal, protecting and transmitting culture and knowledge.

Typical food during Fallas time

Nearly every corner in Valencia has a pop-up food tent selling churros
during The Fallas. Churros come in a variety of flavors. Currently, you can
enjoy churros that have been covered in chocolate, filled with cream,
glittered, glazed, etc. In any case, be cautious when eating the churros and
try not to become too excited. Although it may appear innocent, the deep-fried
dish is actually quite hefty.

Do you know what valor is? It is a well-known regional chocolate brand from
the province of Alicante. Visit
Chocolatera Valor at Valencia’s Plaza de la Reina for a quick chocolate break.
Another
local custom is the “chocolatada,” or chocolate break. People gather
for this occasion to drink chocolate. The children’s Fallas committees are
where these reunions seem to occur most frequently during The Fallas.

Another deep-fried Spanish food similar to a doughnut. Although there are
many other types of buñuelos, Valencians typically eat pumpkin-flavored ones.
The two horchaterias Horchatera Fabián and Horchatera Santa Catalina are the
best sites to try pumpkin buñuelos.

Mouthwatering Dishes in Valencia

19 Saturday Nov 2022

Posted by Torrence Sydnor in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

The rich history and culture of Valencia can only be complemented with the robust flavors of its cuisine. With the Spanish community living right off the Mediterranean Sea, it offers vibrant and fresh dishes that excite the taste buds!

With Valencia being so close to the Mediterranean, dishes that involve life from the sea are a given. Seafood is utilized everywhere around Spain, but esgarraet is a Valencian delicacy. Historically, esgarraet was fed to sailors and fishermen out at sea. An unconventional salad that consists of roasted red bell peppers, finely chopped garlic, Spanish olive oil, and cured cod known as bacalao. There are renditions that involve black olives in the dish, as well. The name esgarrat comes from its preparation, as desgarrar means to tear, with the peppers and cod usually torn apart by hand or cut into strips.  Usually served at room temperature with toasty bread, it is traditionally an appetizer, or tapa. 

Esgarraet

Although it’s considered to be Spain’s national dish, Paella Valenciana originates from the coastal community. The dish takes its name from the word paella, the custom shallow, flat pan used for preparing the homonymous dish. However, the exact story of creation of Paella Valenciana is not clear.  While there are many theories, the most referenced is that in the mid-19th century, field workers would make this rice-based dish on an open fire and would add anything they could find – such as snails! And while the history is muddy, the taste and aroma are divine. Medium-grain rice simmers in a flavorful chicken or fish broth laced with saffron and rosemary, and aromatics including onion and garlic. As the rice cooks, pieces of root vegetables and a blend of various proteins are nestled on top. Chicken, rabbit, and pork are the common combination; however, seafood should never be added. Once you come to Valencia, try this dish out! Just be sure to come before dinner time since it’s only served during lunch.

Paella Valenciana

Believed to originate in the city of Gandia, fideuá was made by Gabriel Rodriguez, a cook on one of the many fishing boats harbored there. Similar to Paella Valenciana, fideuá is a colorful dish that is prepared the same way as its more popular counterpart, but, instead of rice, thin and short noodles called fideo are the main ingredient. Another major difference is that traditional Fideuá have seafood such as cuttlefish, calamari, shrimp, and muscles to be cooked within the pasta. Before serving, lemon juice and chopped parsley are garnished on top. However, some prefer to pair fideuá with a fragrant aioli sauce. It’s delicious either way, so eat it right up! This is a great substitute for someone who loves seafood but wants something resembling Paella Valenciana.

Fideuá

And if you are fortunate enough to come during a holiday or festival you are in for a treat. Valencians love making pastissets de moniato during those special occasions. These sweet, fried pastries filled with a sweet potato filling infused with cinnamon, lemon, and anise is famous within Valencia. Shaped as little empanadas and rolled in sugar, it is mainly consumed during Christmas, Easter, and All Saints’ Day, a Christian solemnity celebrated on November 1, commemorating all saints who have gone to heaven. This hallmark dessert is a must for its long tradition in the Valencia Community.

Pastissets de Moniato

But if you cannot wait to have something sweet, that is completely understandable. Valencia offers a sweet dough mostly found in the municipality of Alboraya: fartons. Made out of flour, yeast, sugar, eggs, and oil, this simple treat is then met with a glaze made of powdered sugar and water. It can be eaten for breakfast, as a snack, or dessert and can be devoured with coffee, milk, or hot cocoa. They are usually accompanied, however, with horchata, a refreshing, creamy, and sweet drink made from tiger nuts. 

Fartons and Horchata with Tiger Nuts

These five dishes are only a speck of what Valencia has to offer for inhabitants and tourists alike. Full of color and flavor, Valencian cuisine offers a wide variety for people of all ages. Whether it’s a Valencian child who wants a sweet treat or a college student studying abroad. Experiencing these tasty foods highlights the culture of Valencia and its people’s traditions. There is no doubt that you will be left satisfied during your stay!

Dia en la Playa

17 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by Nathan Stettler in Valencia

≈ Comments Off on Dia en la Playa

Valencia’s rich culture and beautiful architecture make it great place to learn and explore history; however, as a port city, its location along the Mediterranean Sea, as well its mild climate, also make it a perfect beach destination. Whether you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, strolling, or just doing nothing, Valencia’s miles of beautiful beaches are a great place to relax and unwind after a long day of classes.

El Cabanyal Beach

Many of Valencia’s beaches, like La Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal, are conveniently located within a few kilometers of the city’s center. Though often be a bit crowded, these beaches still have plenty of space for whatever you enjoy doing. El Cabanyal, for example, is close to 220 yards wide! Beaches in Valencia, like El Cabanyal, also have great restaurants and other amenities, like restrooms and water fountains, right on the beach, so you can stay out there all day long. Many of the beaches also provide things like volleyball courts, exercise equipment, and lanes for paddle boarding or canoeing in order to promote healthy fun for all. And, For those adventurous types who want to get away from the crowds, beaches like La Devesa are a bit farther out, but they offer a great place to enjoy peace and quiet, away from the noise and traffic of the city.

La Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia’s beautiful coastline has clear blue water, white sandy beaches, and a whole host of ways to enjoy your day at the beach. So, no matter who you are or what you like to do, there is a Valencian beach for you, but do not take my word for it. Come See for yourself!

The Turia Tour of Valencia

17 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by Nathan Stettler in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

For those who want to get a little fresh air after a long day in the classroom, Valencia’s Turia Garden is an excellent place to relax and enjoy nature as well as explore Valencia.

In 1957, after a devastating flood, the course of the Turia River was changed to prevent further flooding. The dried remains of the Great Turia River were turned into what is now among the biggest urban parks in all of Spain. Today, the garden winds some nine kilometers through the heart of Valencia, passing by many of the city’s most popular attractions.

View of the City of Arts and Sciences

You can walk, run, bike, or Segway your way down the garden’s paths lined with friendly people and a variety of beautiful trees and plant life. As an added bonus, your journey through the park will take you by many of Valencia’s must-see museums and landmarks like the City of Arts and Sciences whose signature futuristic styled complex contains a science museum, aquarium, and opera house. The garden also boarders the Museum of Fine Arts, the Bioparc and much more. Segmenting the park are eighteen different bridges each providing scenic views of the landscape and each representing a different period and style of architecture. Close to the center of the Garden you also find a rather unique structure, the Serranos towers. Built around the end of the 14th century, the towers over the years have served as both a fortified gate and a prison. Today, they serve as gateway from the city of Valencia into the Turia Garden, a transition from the chaos of a modern world to the peace of nature.

The Serranos Towers

With so much to see and do, it is no surprise that the Turia Garden is one of Valencia’s most popular places, and it will keep you coming back again and again. The park has great hours as it is open from 7:30 am to 9:00pm during the fall, spring, and summer and from 8 am to 7pm during the winter, accommodating for visitors with all kinds of schedules. So, what are you waiting for? Come visit the Turia Garden!

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, One of The 12 Treasures of Spain

12 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by Daryl Thompson in Valencia

≈ Leave a Comment

Buenos Dias my friends! We are having a very beautiful and sunny day here at The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias or The City of Arts and Sciences. It’s not actually a city though. It is a collection of museums and buildings housing some of the best representations of art and science Spain has to offer!

What is The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – By Markus Winkler

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias or The City of Arts and Sciences is a collection of museums and educational tourism buildings collected under one complex. Construction began in 1996 with the first building being released in 1998. All buildings were designed and built by world renowned architect and Valencia native Santiago Calatrava. Since 1998, seven other buildings have been added to the complex creating a hub for cultural and educational tourism in Valencia. Some of the services and events offered at the complex include a planetarium, an opera house, an oceanographic park, and many more. Since its creation, the growth of the park and its role as a popular tourist spot has allowed it to gross well over a hundred million dollars which were used to fund other improvements to the city. In 2007, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias was voted one of the Twelve Treasures of Spain!


L’Hemisfèric

L’Hemisfèric – www.visitvalencia.com

The Hemisfèric was built in 1998 and became the first building in The City of Arts and Sciences that was open to the public. It has a 100 meter semi-circle eye shaped roof and features an IMAX theater as the eyeball itself. The building features a full-size IMAX theater, a 3D Digital Cinema, and a visual space utilizing the full scale of the dome to create light and sound shows. The building features top-of-the-line Dolby Atmos sound systems as well as headsets for tourists who don’t speak Spanish or have hearing impairments.

Tickets can be purchase at the official www.visitvalencia.com website. Prices listed below.

  • Adult, 13+ Years, $9.02
  • Children, 4 to 12 Years, $6.95
  • Elderly, 65+ Years, $6.95
  • Functional Disability, 33% Disability Minimum, $6.95

Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe

Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe – Maxime Vandenberge

The Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, better known as The Museu, is a science museum featuring one of the largest collections of interactive exhibits that allow visitors and tourists to learn about science in a fun and enjoyable way! The Museu offers group workshops, activities for children and adults, and scientific competitions! The Museu is world renowned for its ability to show and teach science through demonstration and interactive activities! Opening in 2000, the building has been a hub for field trips, higher educational institutions, and tourism. The Museu utilizes over 26,000 square meters to house its exhibits.

Tickets can be purchased Here.

  • Everyone, $6.90

Hey Professors! Our science museum offers hands on examples for physics, computing, geometry, and more! I guarantee we have room for your college courses, and we have bilingual instructors to teach and give tours! What better way to teach your students than the fun way?!


L’Umbracle

L’Umbracle – Sebastian Klein

L’Umbracle, or The Promenade of Art, is an entrance for the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It features marvelous sculptural works by many famous modern sculptors like Yoko Ono, Francesc Abbot, and Miquel Navarro. The Promenade is also populated by many indigenous plants of Valencia, like palm trees, honeysuckle, and rockrose. The building was created in 2001, and it offers free access to the public year round during normal business hours.


L’Oceanogràfic

L’Oceanogràfic – Diliff

L’Oceanogràfic is an oceanarium or a marine life park similar to an aquarium. It uses sea water from the local ocean to provide a habitat to the 500 different species the oceanarium houses. It features nine stories of different environments for the sea animals to inhabit and visitors to view. Each of these environments is meticulously recreated based on Earth’s natural ecosystem. Through this attention to detail, the ecosystem is able to maintain homeostasis even in a controlled environment, allowing the animals to live a fulfilling lifestyle. L’Oceanogràfic is the largest of its kind in Europe covering over 100,000 square meters of space.

Tickets can be purchased Here.

  • Adult, 13+ Years, $25.84
  • Children, 4 to 12 Years, $34.84

Hey Professors! Did you know we offer group discounts for visiting schools? What better time to offer a study abroad option for Valencia then right now?! L’Oceanogràfic has world class scientists and researchers to offer hands on courses with your students. What better place for Marine Biology students to study right next to the environment they are learning about?


Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía – Palladium Photodesign

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía or Queen Sofia’s Palace of the Arts is a large scaled opera house and preforming arts center. First opened in 2005 by Queen Sofia herself, the opera house has held many famous operas such as Beethoven’s Fidelio, La Bohème, and Don Giovanni. The opera house has performances year round, and their calendar of events can be found Here.

Tickets can be purchased Here.

Hey Professors! What better way to teach your students about classical opera then taking them to one? Our Palace of the Arts is perfect for your arts and humanities students looking for guidance and inspiration from some of the greatest artists of Spain and the world over! We offer one on one and classroom courses as well as portfolio critiques for your students!


Montolivet Bridge

Montolivet Bridge – Lauren Manning

Montolivet Bridge makes up part of the roadway across The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The bridge was built before the complex and features the post-modern style architecture we’ve come to expect from Santiago Calatrava. The bridge features a curved roadway with white arch points consistent with Calatravas style implemented in the Palua de les Arts Reina Sofía and the L’Hemisferic.


Assut de l’Or Bridge

Assut de l’Or Bridge – Diego Delso

The Assut de l’Or Bridge, or The Harp Bridge, is a single stem pylon supported bridge similar to this one in Ireland made by the same architect. The bridge features lighting during the night time to accentuate the design of the bridge. The bridge has six car lanes, a tramway, and a pedestrian lane.


L’Àgora

L’Àgora – Diego Delso

L’Àgora is the most recent building constructed in The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias opening in 2009. It features a shell-like shape on the outside and has the appearance of a whales skeleton on the inside, emphasizing its surrounding buildings like the L’Oceanogràfic. The inside of the complex features an open floor space that has been used for sporting events, art exhibits, and cultural works since it opened.

An exhibition list and tickets can be purchased Here.

♣ New User

If you want to add yourself to this blog, please log in.

♣ Categories

  • Barcelona
  • Bilbao
  • Córdoba
  • Granada
  • Madrid
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • Segovia
  • Sevilla
  • Toledo
  • Valencia

♣ Recent Posts

  • Civil War History of Sevilla – James
  • Cuisine in Madrid
  • Madrid’s Art Walk
  • Industrial History of Bilbao
  • Sports in Toledo

♣ Recent Comments

    ♣ Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org

    Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Chateau by Ignacio Ricci.