When my youngest son was visiting for the summer, we took a trip to nearby Valencia, the third largest city and Spain and the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia (Comunitat Valenciana, in the local Valenciana dialect.) Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC, and has historical ruins from the Roman and Arab occupations. I will be sharing some writings regarding our adventures there and other interesting nearby towns. But now, I want to share the visual delights of Valencia, from the beautiful historic buildings, the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange, built between 1482 and 1548, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the mind-boggling architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences designed in part by native-born Santiago Calatrava, and, of course, street entertainers, and food at restaurants and in the famous Mercat Central (Valenciana for Central Market.)
City of Arts and Sciences
City of Arts and Sciences
One of a number of exhibits at the City of Arts and Sciences
Ceiling of La Lonja de la Seda, originally painted blue with gold stars
External window at La Lonja de la Seda with view of internal stained glass
Valencia Central Market
Inside the Central Market
Yummy offal
Spectacular array of vegetables
Delicious whole calamari
Jamon bellota at the venerable Casa Vela, since 1908
Tags: Arab occupation, Calamari, Casa Vela, Central Market of Valencia, City of Arts and Sciences, Historic buildings, Jamon bellota, La Lonja de la Seda, Mercat Central, Offal, Roman colony, Santiago Calatrava, Stree musicians, UNESCO World Heritage, Valenciana
