By Karen Cooper
Valencia, Spain - The city of Valencia is ever changing. In spite of its long history,
the city continues to modernize rapidly and few other cities can combine their traditions
and their changes as smoothly as Valencia. While it may be known for its delicious Paella,
its world-famous oranges, and its Chafu-nut Horchata, Valencia’s wonders extend far beyond
the kitchen.
A renaissance of sorts seems to be taking place in Spain’s third largest city. The
original Latin name Valentia, meant "strength" or "vigor," and one can actually see how
Valencia has survived the decades of challenges through the range of buildings and
monuments that adorn the city. These architectural monuments span across centuries,
from the ancient to the incredibly modern, and they play a crucial part in revealing
the true integrated nature of this Spanish seaport city.
If one begins by looking at Valencia’s past, one can find great historical merit in much
of Valencia’s architecture. One monument for which Valencia has already received much
recognition is its Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), which was named a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 1996. The Lonja de la Seda was primarily built in the 15th century and is an
absolutely breathtaking example of late Gothic style. Thought of, even by locals, as a set
of quintessential town monuments, the Lonja de la Seda is visual proof of Valencia’s
historically great power and wealth as a mercantile city in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Inside, the Sala de Contratación (the Contract or Trading Hall), boasts an incredibly high,
vaulted ceiling and spiraling column supports. Clouded windows seem to protect the antique
interior from modern outside influences and one feels as though one steps back in time when
passing through the grand front doors. The side courtyard proudly shelters
a few orange trees, not surprising considering Valencia is known worldwide for its exceptional
oranges.
But a group of buildings of such great merit in no way exist on their own, and directly across
the street one can find the Mercado Central (The Central Market), a staple modernist building
which holds one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Although the buildings come from
dramatically different historical time periods, one does not find it strange to see the two
coexisting. When one wanders inside the market one can find fresh fruit, meats, and pastries
that are only the beginning of the savory delights to be found in the 950+ stalls. If one is
not completely distracted by the sights and smells of the market stalls, one may take a moment
to admire the building itself, starting from its foundation and moving up. The massive building
is composed primarily of steel and glass but colored tiles add bright yellows and blues to go
along with the rounded high windows. The structure, the mosaic work, and the massive dome are
all elements that contribute to this beautiful building that, finished in 1928, lives in perfect
harmony with its ancient neighbor, the15th century Lonja de la Seda. While each building is
characteristic of its own time period, the two in no way conflict and instead one feels right at
home walking between the two, admiring the stamp and coin collectors that often set up tables
along the street outside.
If one wishes to see another famous Valencian example of modernist style, one can also pay a
visit to the Mercado de Colón. Built between 1913 and 1917 in an area of the city called L'Eixample,
the Mercado de Colón is an open walled building that takes up an entire block.
Architect Francisco de Mora y Berenguer was awarded the project when he wrote, "A market should
be an open marketplace… [I]t is a building which, as an architectonic creation, should provide
adornment to the city, and should be enjoyable for those who have to spend their time there. We
should therefore try to make the form as aesthetic as possible." The building’s iron sides are
beautifully complimented by its brick facades that mark the main entrance and exit of the market.
Inside one can find ceramic and clothing boutiques, cafés and restaurants, and various meat and wine
specialties, all under one spectacularly sky-lit roof.
But while one should be sure to see all of the sights within the old part of Valencia, one must keep
in mind that the city has been growing in many areas throughout the years. Although the city is
lined with Mediterranean beaches the city has only recently begun to be thought of as a beach getaway.
But even if the beaches have only begun to gain recognition, the port of Valencia has always played a
crucial part in the development of the city. The port is one place where one can actually see
progression taking place, specifically if one is looking at the Real Club Náutico Valencia (RCNV)
and the annual Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup. The two serve as a perfect example of
Valencia’s adaptability as the two stride forward and work in unison to bring history to life in
modern times.
Currently the single largest club in Spain, RCNV founded the Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup Regatta
in 1988 and has been host to the event ever since. The regatta is done in homage to Spain’s Navel
forces, and the name officially received royal recognition in 1999 when the yacht club received
approval and support from H.M. Queen Sofia. The Spanish Royal family has a historical love for
sailing and they usually participate in the regatta, often joined by other royals such as H.M. King
Harald of Norway. The participation and support of international and national royalty help to make
the Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup incredibly special for RCNV and Valencia. Drawing steadily
increasing crowds and competitors to the yacht club ever since, the event has only continued to grow
and evolve. The changes in classes for participation also help show how the event is progressing yet
that it maintains a strong attachment to its original roots. The regatta has maintained its open
policy for vintage boats since its beginnings, yet 2006 also saw the new addition of the TP52 class.
But, regardless of changes to the event, the Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup has always maintained its
prestige and to this day it is still one of the largest regattas in Spain.
The Real Club Náutico Valencia itself has undergone numerous renovations and changes since its founding
in 1903. But in spite of any changes made to the club, it has always managed to maintain its
consistent devotion to teaching and safeguarding the sport of sailing. Since 1998, RCNV has
collaborated with the Municipal Foundation of the Town Council of Valencia to subsidize 50% of sailing
courses in order to promote sailing amongst children in Valencia. Isidoro Sánchez Martorell, the RCNV
Commodore, speaks for the club when he says he takes great pride in the initiation of the youth in
sailing. "Everything that we are doing- the club, the city, the people- allows us to approach the youth
and introduce them to sea sports. Our school of sail has more than 1200 courses, so we are preparing a
lot of people for the future. This was our main wish when we modernized the club near the year 2000 and
we will finish even more modernization in 2007. There will be a new water entrance to the club and we
are doubling in size. I am sure that Real Club Náutico Valencia will be a reference for Spain in the
Mediterranean- I am sure of it."
RCNV has already received the Club of the Year Award in1999 and the Royal Order of Sporting Merit in 2000.
One can clearly see that RCNV will only continue to push forward alongside Valencia towards the creation
and maintenance of a strong, bright future.
For the city of Valenica, part of that future can already be seen in the Ciudad de las Artes y las
Ciences (The City of Arts and Sciences). What is currently the largest cultural and leisure complex
being built in Europe is also an essential architectural symbol for the city and the country.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the Ciudad is composed
of four different buildings: the Museu de les Ciencies Príncipe Felipe, L’Hemisfèric, L’Oceanogràfic and
The Palace of the Arts.
Alongside museum exhibitions one can also find IMAX and planetarium spectacles, multiple aquariums, and
the soon to be finished performance arts venue. The Ciudad is a landmark for Valencia, and one absolutely
cannot miss seeing it. Just walking around the complex is breathtaking and one begins to wonder if air
highways and flying vehicles are really that far out of reach. The Ciudad seems like a link to another
world altogether, a journey, from the bottom of the ocean, to the pinnacle of architectural achievement as
it exists today.
With the Cidud on the outskirts of one side of the city and oldest part of town in the center, it is the
Túria Gradens that become of central importance for the linking of the two diverse areas. What was once
the Túria River is now a dry riverbed that was transformed into seven kilometers of parks and gardens.
Valencia is home to the longest cycle track in Spain, and one can enjoy cycling through the Túria Gardens
under resorted bridges and away from the busy main roads. The Túria Gardens connect the divided city and
also add beautiful landscapes to the city’s ever growing repertoire of attractions and delights.
Besides its monuments and landscapes, Valencia is also a unique home to the Las Fallas festival that
annually takes place at the beginning of March. The ceremonies are done in honor of Saint Joseph, the
patron saint of carpenters, and every year some 350 papier-mâché falla monuments are made. There are
parades and daily fireworks that culminate, at midnight on March 19, in an enormous bonfire where all
of the fallas are burned save one, chosen by popular vote. One can see these "saved" fallas from 1934
onwards at the Museo Fallero if one cannot make it to Valencia in March for the actual festival.
So in the end, Valencia, the Spanish gateway to the Mediterranean, is a place of many offers and unique
attractions. As a port, it is the second biggest exporter in Spain and is responsible for 20% of the
country’s exports. As a city, it is growing and developing rapidly, while always protecting its
historical sites and its unique cultural celebrations. And the people, well, Commodore Isidoro Sánchez
Martorell put it perfectly: "The people in Valencia have always, by tradition, been devoted to
exportation all over the world. This all means that the people have the habit of traveling abroad and
that the people are open minded. We like to maintain tradition but our strength is that we can unite
that with new and modern things. The city is growing and always changing and it is on its way to becoming
a key point of reference for the country of Spain." Welcome to Valencia! Be sure to see the city, meet
the people, taste the Paella, drink the Horchata, and of course, in late-June, be sure to watch for races
and royalty at the Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup. Valencia’s renaissance has only just begun…
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