Valencia (officially in Valencian: València,[6] AFI: )[7] is a municipality "Municipio (España)")[6] and a city in Spain, capital of the homonymous province and of the Valencian Community. Its population is (INE "National Institute of Statistics (Spain)") 2025), reaching 1,615,223 inhabitants (as of 2023) if its urban space is included.[8] It is the third most populated city and metropolitan area in Spain, behind Madrid and Barcelona.[9].
Valencia was founded by the Romans as a colony in , with Decimus Junius Brutus Galaico being consul, and was called Valentia Edetanorum. After the Roman and Visigoth periods, in the year 711, the Muslims occupied the city, contributing their language, religion and customs, as well as the implementation of irrigation systems and the introduction of new crops. In 1238 the Christian king Jaime I of Aragon reconquered the city, and distributed the lands among the nobles who helped him conquer it, as witnessed in the Llibre del Repartiment, as well as creating a new law for the city, the Fueros of Valencia, which were extended to the rest of the kingdom of Valencia. In the 19th century, Philip V repealed the fueros as punishment to the kingdom of Valencia for aligning itself with the Austrians in the war of Spanish succession. In 1982, Valencia was established as the capital of the current Valencian Community, as stated in the Statute of Autonomy.
The city is located on the banks of the Turia River, on the Levantine coast of the Iberian Peninsula, right in the center of the Gulf of Valencia, although at the time the Romans founded it, it was located on a river island of the Turia, about four kilometers away from the sea. About ten kilometers south of the city is the Albufera de Valencia, which has been property of the Valencia City Council since 1911 when it was purchased from the Crown of Spain for 1,072,980.41 pesetas. marsh dedicated to the cultivation of rice.[11] Due to its cultural, historical and ecological value, it was the first natural park declared by the Generalitat Valenciana, in 1986.
In 2012 the economy of the city "Economy of Valencia (city)") was focused on services, about 84% of the active working population belonged to the service sector. However, the city maintained an industrial base, with a percentage of the employed population of 5.5%. On the other hand, agricultural activities, although having a relatively minor importance with only 1.9% of the active population employed, survived in the municipal area with a total of 3973 hectares, which were mostly occupied by orchard and citrus crops.[12].
Evaluation of port sheds
Introduction
Valencia (officially in Valencian: València,[6] AFI: )[7] is a municipality "Municipio (España)")[6] and a city in Spain, capital of the homonymous province and of the Valencian Community. Its population is (INE "National Institute of Statistics (Spain)") 2025), reaching 1,615,223 inhabitants (as of 2023) if its urban space is included.[8] It is the third most populated city and metropolitan area in Spain, behind Madrid and Barcelona.[9].
Valencia was founded by the Romans as a colony in , with Decimus Junius Brutus Galaico being consul, and was called Valentia Edetanorum. After the Roman and Visigoth periods, in the year 711, the Muslims occupied the city, contributing their language, religion and customs, as well as the implementation of irrigation systems and the introduction of new crops. In 1238 the Christian king Jaime I of Aragon reconquered the city, and distributed the lands among the nobles who helped him conquer it, as witnessed in the Llibre del Repartiment, as well as creating a new law for the city, the Fueros of Valencia, which were extended to the rest of the kingdom of Valencia. In the 19th century, Philip V repealed the fueros as punishment to the kingdom of Valencia for aligning itself with the Austrians in the war of Spanish succession. In 1982, Valencia was established as the capital of the current Valencian Community, as stated in the Statute of Autonomy.
The city is located on the banks of the Turia River, on the Levantine coast of the Iberian Peninsula, right in the center of the Gulf of Valencia, although at the time the Romans founded it, it was located on a river island of the Turia, about four kilometers away from the sea. About ten kilometers south of the city is the Albufera de Valencia, which has been property of the Valencia City Council since 1911 when it was purchased from the Crown of Spain for 1,072,980.41 pesetas. marsh dedicated to the cultivation of rice.[11] Due to its cultural, historical and ecological value, it was the first natural park declared by the Generalitat Valenciana, in 1986.
In 2012 the economy of the city "Economy of Valencia (city)") was focused on services, about 84% of the active working population belonged to the service sector. However, the city maintained an industrial base, with a percentage of the employed population of 5.5%. On the other hand, agricultural activities, although having a relatively minor importance with only 1.9% of the active population employed, survived in the municipal area with a total of 3973 hectares, which were mostly occupied by orchard and citrus crops.[12].
Its historic center is one of the largest in Spain, with 169 hectares,[13] and thanks to its historical and monumental heritage and its various scenic and cultural spaces, it is one of the cities with the greatest influx of national and international tourism in the entire country. Among its most representative monuments are the Miguelete, the cathedral, the Serranos and Quart Towers, the Lonja de la Seda - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. disseminate the art of the century,[16] or the Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity, a space for civic interaction and reflection on the problems and physiognomy of today's society,[17] as well as the entire City of Arts and Sciences.[18].
Due to its long history, this is a city with countless festivals and traditions, among which the Fallas stand out, which were declared festivals of international tourist interest "Annex: Festivals of International Tourist Interest (Spain)") on January 25, 1965[19] and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 30, 2016,[20] the Tribunal de las Aguas, also declared in 2009 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,[21] and the Seaman's Holy Week, declared as a Festival of National Tourist Interest "Annex: Festivals of National Tourist Interest (Spain)") in 2011.[22] In 2024 the city received the European Green Capital award.[23].
In addition to this, Valencia has been, and is currently, the scene of various world events that have contributed to shaping the city and giving it international projection, such as the 1909 Regional Exhibition,[24][25] the 32nd "America's Cup 2007 (regatta)")[26] and the 33rd America's Cup of sailing "America 2010 (regatta)"),[27] the Grand Prix of Europe Formula 1,[28] the Open 500 tennis,[29] the Global Champions Tour of Equestrian,[30] the WPT Valencia Master in 2014, 2016 and 2018, the Valencia e-Prix of Formula E,[31] the 2022 Davis Cup,[32] 2023[33] and 2024,[34] the FIA Motorsport Games,[35] the 2024 FIBA Olympic Pre-Olympic,[36] the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour,[37] and the Valencia Marathon.[38] Added to this is the relevance of its main sports clubs, among which Valencia C. F. and Levante U. D. stand out in football; Valencia Basket, one of the European leaders in basketball; the Valencia Athletics Club, promoter of the great road events; historic Valencian pelota clubs that preserve the native sports tradition; as well as leading entities in other disciplines such as the Conqueridor Volleyball Sports Club; the Rugby Club Valencia, CAU Rugby Valencia and Les Abelles Rugby Club in rugby and the Valencia Tennis Club, among others, which consolidate the city as a true multidisciplinary sports reference.
Since 2023, its mayor is María José Catalá, from the Popular Party, which governs in coalition with Vox. She is the third woman to preside over the city.
Place names
The toponym of "Valencia" derives from the Latin term that the Romans gave it when they founded it.[39] This name can be translated as 'Courage (or strength) in the land of the Edetans' (or simply as 'Courage of the Edetans'), and is part of the custom, already practiced in Italy in the century BC. C., of founding colonies with allegorical toponyms of military virtues.[40] The Arabs called it مدينة التراب (Madīna at-Turab, 'city of sand'), because it was located on the bank of the Turia River, while they reserved the term بلنسية (Balansīa) for the entire taifa of Valencia.[41] In the time of Abd al-Aziz the city recovered the name of Balansīa,[41] which would become Valencia in Spanish.
In 2016, the plenary session of the city council unanimously agreed to recover a municipal decree that was not made official in 1996, by which the appropriate procedures would be initiated to make the official name in Valencian, València,[42] as the only official form,[43] a change that took place after the respective approvals of various government institutions, including the Valencian Academy of Language, which largely considered that the spelling was appropriate from a historical and historical point of view. The linguistic meaning of València was with an open "e", although the native pronunciation is with a closed "e" (Valéncia), which continues to be the subject of linguistic controversy.[44] On February 14, 2017, the change of name of the municipality of Valencia to the exclusive form in Valencian was published in the Official Gazette of the Generalidad Valenciana,[45] a fact that was official after its publication in the BOE.[46].
Throughout history the city has received several nicknames, such as the City of a Thousand Towers,[47] during the centuries, the Capital of Turia or Cap i Casal"). Also for several centuries and until recent times it was known as Valencia del Cid.[48].
On September 26, 2023, the plenary session of the newly appointed Valencia City Council promoted the procedure to change the official name of the city to "Valencia/Valéncia",[49] adopting for the first time a bilingual name in Valencian and Spanish for the municipality.[50] The name proposed in the Valencian language was very controversial, because despite being more in line with the recommended pronunciation,[44] its spelling follows the Standards of El Puig,[51] unofficial to write the grammar of this language.[52] Furthermore, according to Decree 69/2017, of June 2, which regulates changes in the name of municipalities and other local entities of the Valencian Community, this name could not be approved if the name in Spanish is used first,[53] since "the municipalities whose territories are predominantly Valencian-speaking, the name will go first in the Valencian form, followed by the bar and the name in Spanish. 2025 with the approval of the change by the municipal plenary session,[55] to be able to begin the procedures in the autonomous institutions.
Symbols
From the conquest of the city by James I until the reign of Peter the Ceremonious, the city used as its own weapons a shield alluding to its location, "a walled city on waves." This emblem is represented on one of the first municipal seals (1312) and on the shield sculpted on the Gothic door of the cathedral. However, since the century Valencia used the royal arms itself as its emblem, since King Pedro the Ceremonious, in recognition of the resistance opposed by Valencia to Pedro the Cruel of Castile during the War of the Two Peters (1356-1365), granted the city of Valencia the right to use the royal arms of Aragon and the royal crown on its shield and flag. In addition to this, as a symbol of the city's loyalty in the face of the two sieges suffered in the war with Castile, the king added an "L" (for loyalty) to the left and right of the shield, stamped with the royal crown. In this way, the municipal council (Consell municipal) established the composition of the shield already in the year 1377:.
The current shield[56] derives from the royal arms of Aragon, although new elements have subsequently been incorporated, such as the bat, lo rat penat "Bat (heraldry)") in Valencian, an evolution of a wyvern, which also appears in the shield of the Generalidad Valenciana, and which was integrated into the emblem of the city in the year 1503. The bat was already used in some cases and was associated with some myths of the conquest of Valencia by James I, although this was not official until the 1st century. The last element that was incorporated into the shield is due to Fernando VII, who granted two laurel branches as a reward for the city's resistance during the War of Independence.
Currently the shield has the following emblazonment: «In a losanjada shield, a field of gold with four sticks of gules, two crowned els as tenants and in the lower part two branches of laurel. At the bell, an open royal crown surmounted by a bat, seen from the front and with its saber wings extended.
The so-called Real Señera, Señera Coronada, or Señera tricolor, is the same flag as that of the Valencian Community.[57] The origin of this flag comes from a heraldic ensign, that is, a shield, which evolved until it adopted the form of a flag, with a crown on the bars of the kings of the Crown of Aragon.[58] In this way, currently the flag of the city is established as follows: «The Flag of Valencia is the traditional one. "signature" composed of four red bars on a yellow background, crowned by having the title of Kingdom and a blue stripe next to the flagpole.
Geography
Contenido
La ciudad de Valencia se encuentra en la costa mediterránea de la península ibérica, sobre la gran llanura aluvial de los ríos Júcar y Turia, justo en el centro del golfo de Valencia.[59] La ciudad primitiva estaba ubicada a unos cuatro kilómetros del mar, en una isla fluvial del Turia. Los montes más cercanos a la ciudad son algunas de las últimas estribaciones del sistema Ibérico en la Comunidad Valenciana, como el Cabeçol de El Puig y la sierra Calderona, a unos 12 km y 25 km al norte de la ciudad respectivamente.[59].
Valencia ha sido tradicionalmente la capital de la extinta comarca histórica y natural de la Huerta de Valencia, comarca que en 1989[60] se disgregó para formar las comarcas de la Huerta Norte, Huerta Sur, Huerta Oeste y ciudad de Valencia, quedando así constituida como la única ciudad-comarca de la Comunidad Valenciana, la conocida como la «Ciudad de Valencia». De este modo, la comarca de Valencia se extiende tan solo a la ciudad, sus pedanías, y el lago de la Albufera.[11] La «Ciudad de Valencia» limita al norte con las comarcas de Huerta Norte y Campo de Turia, al este con el mar Mediterráneo, al sur con las comarcas de Huerta Sur y Ribera Baja "Ribera Baja (Valencia)"), y al oeste con la comarca de Huerta Oeste.
El exclave de Rafalell y Vistabella limita con Masamagrell, Masalfasar y el Mar Mediterráneo.
El exclave de Mauella y Tauladella limita con Museros, Albuixech y Albalat dels Sorells.
El exclave de Cases de Bàrcena limita con Foyos, Meliana, Almácera, Bonrepós y Mirambell y Vinalesa.
Topography
The city of Valencia is located in the center of the Valencian depression, south of the Iberian sector. This plain is the largest plain in the entire Spanish Mediterranean basin, and is located in the center of the Valencian Community. The depression borders with the Calderona mountain range to the north, with the mountains of the Turia mountain range to the northwest, with the Cabrillas mountain range to the west, with the Caroig massif to the southwest and with the Serra de Corbera and Mondúver mountains to the south.[59].
Its origin is due, firstly, to the process of sinking of the Gulf of Valencia, which began about 6 million years ago, and secondly, to the silting process of the area due to the sedimentary contribution of the Palancia, Turia and Júcar rivers, as well as the Carraixet and Poyo ravines. This process was accelerated by the low erosive action of the sea, and in recent times by anthropic action, since man has accelerated the process of clogging of wetlands through selective landfilling.[61].
Not all of the depression is a perfect plain, since the extremely flat areas closest to the coast are connected to extensive inland foothills, such as the Plana de Cuart or the Liria field. It is also worth noting that the plain is dotted with small hills that break the unit, such as the Cabeçol of El Puig, the mountain of the Santos of Sueca, the Perenchisa mountain range of Torrente "Torrente (Valencia)") or the mountain of the Zorras of Cullera.[59] The highest altitude of the municipality of 104 m is found in Horteta.[2] Thus, the traditional landscapes of this relief unit are the fields. of orchard cultivation and humid areas, such as the Valencia lagoon[11] and the Rafalell and Vistabella and Moro marshes.[59][62].
Hydrography
The river that runs through the city is the Turia. This is a river on the Mediterranean side of the Iberian Peninsula, which rises in the San Juan de los Montes Universales muela, municipal district of Guadalaviar "Guadalaviar (Teruel)") (Teruel), and after a 280 km journey flows north of the Valencian beach of Pinedo. Its floods are famous, especially that of October 14, 1957, known as the great flood of Valencia, which with a flow of 3700 m³/s flooded a large part of the city of Valencia, producing a large amount of material and personal damage.
This fact led to the creation of a project to divert said channel and avoid subsequent flooding, and also sought to generate new infrastructure for the growth of the city. This project materialized with the construction of a new channel diverting it to the south of the city, known as Plan Sur;[63] said channel is apparently dry, because flow only flows through it during floods, since ordinary flows are used for irrigation of the Valencia plain in the intakes of the irrigation ditches from the Repartiment weir. The old riverbed that passes through the central area of the city has been converted into a recreational-cultural space, the Turia garden.
Throughout history, the water of the Turia has been used to irrigate crop fields, for which a complex irrigation network was developed, the fundamental axis of which is the irrigation ditches of the Valencia plain.[64] These ditches take their water from the last flows of the river, downstream of the weir of the Moncada ditch. Finally, the runoff and excess waters of the Turia are used for the Acequia del Oro and the irrigation of Francos and Marjales de Valencia.
The eight ditches are, on the right bank: the Quart ditch, from this ditch then the Benàger i Faitanar ditch starts, which also has the category of mother ditch; the Mislata irrigation canal;[65] the Favara irrigation canal;[66] and the Rovella irrigation canal. And on the left bank: the Tormos irrigation canal; the Mestalla irrigation canal; and the Rascanya irrigation canal.
Climate
Valencia has a mild Mediterranean climate that is slightly rainy during winters and hot and dry during summers. According to the criteria of the Köppen climate classification, Valencia has a transitional climate between the Mediterranean (Csa) and warm semi-arid (BSh) climates.[68] The average annual temperature is 18.4 °C.[69][70][67].
Valencia's climate features warm summers and mild winters. January is the coldest month, with average maximum temperatures of 16-17°C and minimum temperatures of 7-8°C. Snowfall and sub-zero temperatures are extremely rare within the urban core, and often make the news due to their rarity.[67] The warmest month is August, with average maximum temperatures of 30-31 °C and minimum temperatures of 21-23 °C and moderately high relative humidity. The daily thermal range is reduced due to the maritime influence: around 9 °C on average. Likewise, the annual thermal amplitude is small due to the influence of the sea, being between 9 and 10 °C.[70][67].
Annual rainfall is between 450 and 500 mm, with marked minimums in summer (June to August) especially in July with an average of about 8 mm; and maximums in the autumn months, especially in September and October (the average reaching slightly below 80 mm in October) due to the effect of the cold drop, which has accumulated more than 150 mm in one day on several occasions, causing flooding. The average annual humidity is relatively high due to the influence of the sea, being around 65% and varying little throughout the year.[70][67].
Below is a table with the climatological values in the reference period 1991-2020 from the AEMET observatory located in the Jardines del Real, at 11.
Below are some climatological records recorded in said observatory, considered from 1937 for temperature and precipitation and from 1945 for wind. The absolute maximum temperature record is 44.5 °C recorded on August 10, 2023, and the minimum of –7.2 °C recorded on February 11, 1956. The maximum precipitation in one day is 262.6 mm recorded on November 17, 1956, and the maximum wind gust is 117 km/h recorded on February 25, 1989.[72].
Natural risks
The main natural risk that the city of Valencia suffered was flooding, since throughout history the Turia River caused several overflows and very serious flooding of the city. Among all these overflows of the Turia, the most serious was the one that occurred on October 14, 1957 with the Great Valencia Flood, when rainfall exceeding 300 mm occurred in a good part of the Turia hydrographic basin (361 mm in Bejís, although this town is located in the Palancia River basin), which caused two flood waves over Valencia, the first of 2700 m³/s and an average speed of 3.25m/s; and the second, more violent, of 3700 m³/s and 4.16 m/s. These flood waves flooded most of the Valencian capital, causing the death of more than 80 people, in addition to extensive material damage.
After this flood, it was planned to divert the channel of the Turia to the south of Valencia, with the project called Plan Sur. This project provided the river with a drainage capacity of 5,000 m³/s,[63] in addition to other minor river regulation works. Given the delay in aid from the government after the flood, Mayor Tomás Trénor Azcárraga confronted Francisco Franco, who dismissed him. However, with his behavior the mayor achieved his objective, since based on his criticism, aid to the city was expedited and work on the diversion of the Turia began.
Another risk that usually affects the Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula is heat and cold waves. Valencia suffers several heat wave alerts every year in the summer months, which according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) are a period of at least 3 days with abnormally high temperatures. These heat waves can cause so-called heat stroke, even causing deaths. On the contrary, in the winter months the danger comes from cold waves, since temperatures can occasionally fall below 0 °C. This is due to the irruption of currents of frigid air from the Arctic or Siberia into the Valencian territory.[59] The main consequences of cold waves are road closures due to ice sheets or the danger of hypothermia for homeless people.
Seismic risk also affects Valencia, since the city is located in an area of moderate seismic danger. Throughout history Valencia has suffered several earthquakes,[73] being one of the strongest the one recorded on September 16, 2003, which had a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter scale, although that was not the greatest intensity, since in the years 1823 and 1904 the city also suffered two earthquakes of intensity 5.[73] It should be noted that throughout the years 2010 and In 2011, 16 earthquakes occurred, although all of them were low intensity, with magnitudes between 1.5 and 2.8 on the Richter scale.[74].
Flora
Valencia is located in the thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic zone, so its climax vegetation is the Mediterranean forest, while the maquis occurs in those areas where the tree vegetation has disappeared.[75] Due to the anthropization of the environment, in most of the municipal area nitrophilous plant species predominate, with the exception of those that occur in the coastal wetlands environment (Albufera and Rafalell marsh). and Vistabella) and river channels.[76].
The main tree species that can be found in the Mediterranean forest spaces that remain in the municipality of Valencia (mainly in the Dehesa del Saler) are the holm oak, the Aleppo pine and the taray, while the shrub species, which occur in the undergrowth or in maquis areas, are the mastic, the juniper, the kermes oak, the myrtle, the thyme, the gorse, rosemary, satureja and palmetto.
On the other hand, the tree species associated with the riverside forest (Turia channel) are willows, alders, poplars or poplars, ashes, elms and tamarisks, while the shrub species associated with this type of forest are, among others, reeds, reeds, cattails, oleanders and brambles. Around the humid areas and ditches there are several communities of marsh vegetation, which sink their roots in fresh water or humid mud, such as reeds, cattails, mansiegas and reeds.
In the dune ridges closest to the sea, the presence of "pioneer species" stands out. Some of these species are typical of mobile dunes, such as the reed or the sea bell, and the others are typical of fixed dunes, such as the aladierno or the mastic. Finally, in the meshes of the dunes "Parque Natural de la Albufera") there are some succulent species, such as salt grass or salicornia.
Fauna
The Valencian territory has great biodiversity, which is greatest around the Albufera de Valencia, where the La Granja de El Saler Wildlife Recovery Center is located.[77] Some fish species present in the municipality of Valencia are the fartet and the samarugo, species endemic to the Valencian Community, as well as the eel, the mullet and the sea bass, of special economic importance.[78].
The extraordinary avian wealth of the Valencian territory,[79] can be observed by the great variety of species that exist in the municipality of Valencia, where several types of ducks can be found, such as the red duck with up to 10,000 specimens, the common spoonbill with up to 20,000 specimens or the mallard. The heron colonies are also notable, including the cattle egret, the crab-eating egret and the gray heron. Finally, the presence of species such as the common tern, the black-legged tern, the common stilt, the gray teal and the seagull are also notable.
Regarding the mammals that can be found in the territory of Valencia, the rodent species stand out, such as the brown rat, the water rat, the field mouse or the Moorish mouse. Although some groups of shrews, foxes and bats (the cave bat, the long-tailed bat, etc.) can also be found.
In the municipality of Valencia there are also some species of amphibians, such as the common midwife toad, the common toad, the natterjack toad, the spotted toad, the spadefoot toad, the spotted toad, the gallipato and the common green frog.[80] As well as there are several types of reptiles, such as lizards and lizards (the Iberian lizard, the ocellated lizard, the skink Iberian lizard, the red-tailed lizard and the long-tailed lizard), snakes (the blind shingle, the ladder snake, the horseshoe snake, the bastard snake and the long-nosed viper), geckos (the coastal gecko and the common gecko), and tortoises or tortoises (the European pond turtle and the leper pond terrapin).[81]
Natural spaces
The city of Valencia has in its municipal area several places and natural spaces of special ecological, cultural and landscape importance, which largely owe their current state to the action of man.
The Albufera natural park, of 21,120 ha, was declared as such by the Generalitat Valenciana on July 23, 1986, and since 1990 it has been included in the List of wetland areas of international importance for birds established by the Ramsar Convention of February 2, 1971. Since 1992 it has been a LIC area (Place of Community Importance) and since 1994 it has been included in ZEPA areas (Special Protection Zone for Birds). This humid area is located about 10 km south of the city of Valencia,[82] and includes a system formed by the Albufera lake, its humid environment, and the coastal range adjacent to both.[11][83].
The Rafalell and Vistabella marsh, with an area of 102.92 ha, is one of the last marshes that extended north of the Turia River from Alboraya to Sagunto, which is nourished by groundwater and irrigation remains.[84][85] Regarding the vegetation of this wetland, it should be noted that it is dominated by reed beds and reed beds, which serve as a refuge for several species of birds. marshes and waders, as well as some vestiges of dune vegetation on semi-fixed dunes and salt marsh vegetation, with species such as fine limonium or salicornia. In the marsh there are some ditches and small lagoons with underwater vegetation, such as goose tongue or water spike. The fish present in the marsh are the eel, the sea bass, the mugil and the silverside, although there are suitable habitats for the reintroduction of endemic Valencian species such as the samarugo, the fartet, the colmilleja or the ditch shrimp.[84].
The Valencian orchard[62] was born in the time of the Roman Empire, when Valencia was a logistics and hibernation center for its conquest campaigns in Iberia. The Romans introduced new crops, such as cereals, olive trees and vines; However, due to the conditions of the environment, they were not productive enough.
Although what we really know today as the Valencian garden was developed in the Middle Ages, during the Islamic period. Since the Muslims created an important network of irrigation infrastructure: ditches; weirs; and small prey. This network derived the strong avenues of the Turia and the ravines, managing to drain large swampy areas and irrigating the fields. At the same time, various activities were developed along these infrastructures, such as: water mills, where the flow that circulated through the irrigation ditches was used; laundries, which served nearby homes or farmhouses.
Valencia has two urban beaches of fine golden sand, Playa de las Arenas "Playa de las Arenas (Valencia)") and Playa de la Malvarrosa, which are bordered to the south by the port of Valencia and to the north by the Patacona beach of Alboraya. and local gastronomy.
The beaches of the capital located south of the Turia do not have such a marked urban character and present a more solitary atmosphere. From the beaches of Pinedo, with the Casa Negra sector where nudism is practiced, to the Perellonet or Recatí beaches and the Perelló gola, there are more than 15 kilometers of sandy coast (protected by dunes), which constitute an offer of spacious beaches, surrounded by the Albufera natural park.[87].
History
Ancient Age
Archaeological remains from the centuries BC have recently been found. C. and a. C..[88] These are the oldest testimonies of human presence in the region. Recent research has revealed that Valencia and its surroundings, today included within the urban environment, were part of a commercial route for luxury ceramics.[89].
Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain, since it was founded under the name of Valentia Edetanorum by about two thousand Roman colonists in the year (616 AUC), in the time of the consul Decimus Junius Brutus Galaico. This was a classically Roman city in its conception, since it was located in a strategic place near the sea, a river island crossed by the Via Augusta, which connected current Andalusia (Bética) with the capital of the empire (Rome). The main nucleus of the city was located around the current Plaza de la Virgen. There was the forum and the crossing of the Cardo "Cardo (street)") and the Decumanus, which were and still are the two main axes of the city. El Cardo corresponds to the current Salvador-Almoina streets and Decumano corresponds to Calle de los Caballeros "Calle Caballeros (Valencia)").[3][90].
During the war between Gnaeus Pompey the Great and Quintus Sertorius, in the year , the city of Valenctia was destroyed, which was not rebuilt until after about fifty years. After this period of abandonment, the city recovered its population and began to build large infrastructure works, already in the 19th century, which led to the city experiencing a period of great urban growth in the middle of the century. Although centuries passed, in the 19th century, Valencia experienced a new era of decline. Finally, during the last years of the Roman Empire, in the 19th century, the city began to form a primitive Christian community.[90][91].
Middle Ages
A few centuries later, coinciding with the first waves of Germanic peoples and with the power vacuum left by the imperial administration, the church assumed the reins of the city and Christian worship buildings replaced the ancient Roman temples. With the Byzantine invasion of the southwest of the peninsula in 554, the city gained strategic importance, with Visigoth military contingents settling there.[91] After the expulsion of the Byzantines in 625, a dark period began, poorly known by history and barely documented by archaeology, which seems to testify to a very low tone of urban life. During the Visigothic period it was the episcopal seat of the Catholic Church, suffragan of the archdiocese of Toledo, which included the ancient Roman province of Carthaginian in the diocese of Hispania.[92].
The stage immediately after the Muslim conquest of the year 711 constitutes a dark period for the city about which there is not much information. Despite this, it is known that Abd al-Rahman I (first emir of Córdoba) ordered the city to be destroyed, although several years later Abd Allah al-Balansi, son of Abd al-Rahman I, exercised a type of autonomous government over the Valencian area. Among his decisions stands out the order to build a luxurious palace on the outskirts of the city, the Russafa, origin of the neighborhood of the same name, and of which at the moment no remains have been found.[91] At this time the city received the name of Medina al-Turab for a few centuries, city of mud or dust, due to the state of abandonment in which it was found.[90][93].
The greatest boom of the city began with the kingdoms of taifas (century), one of which was that of Valencia. The city grew, and in the time of Abd al-Aziz (20th century) a new wall was built, remains of which are preserved throughout Ciutat Vella "District of Ciutat Vella (Valencia)"). The Castilian nobleman Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (the Cid Campeador) entered Valencia, leaving the city in the hands of Christian troops between the years 1094 and 1102, establishing an independent lordship in Valencia.[94] After the death of the Cid, his wife Jimena, who became lady of Valencia, managed to defend the city with the help of her son-in-law Ramón Berenguer III for a time. But in May 1102, faced with the impossibility of defending the principality, the Cid's family and people abandoned Valencia with the help of Alfonso VI, but not before looting and burning the city.[95] Thus, Valencia was conquered the next day again by the Almoravids, who restored the Muslim cult.
The decline of Almoravid power coincided with the rise of a new North African dynasty, the Almohads, who took control of the peninsula from the year 1145, although their entry into Valencia was stopped by Ibn Mardanis, monarch of Valencia and Murcia, until the year 1171, when the city finally fell into the hands of the North Africans.[90]
In 1238, the city was conquered by James I with the help of troops from the military orders. After the Christian victory, the Muslim population was expelled and the city was distributed among those who had participated in the conquest, of which remains testimony in the Llibre del Repartiment.[96] James I granted the city new laws, the Fueros of Valencia (els Furs), which years later he extended to the entire kingdom of Valencia. From this moment, a new historical stage began in the city thanks to a new society and a language, which laid the foundations of the Valencian people as we know them today.[90].
According to the data on the capitulation of the city, the kingdom of Valencia had a population of 120,000 Muslims, 65,000 Christians and 2,000 Jews and thanks to the capitulation and the pacts that led to it, the Valencian population was mostly able to continue in their lands.[92] Thus, according to the Arab historian Hussein Mones") of the University of Cairo, these were the words that King Zayan said to James I at the time He gave him the keys to the city:
The city went through serious trouble in the middle of the century. On the one hand, the Black Death of 1348 and the successive epidemics of the following years, which decimated the population, and on the other hand, a series of wars and revolts followed, such as the War of the Union, a citizen revolt against the excesses of the monarchy headed by Valencia as capital of the kingdom,[92] as well as the War with Castile, which forced the hasty construction of a new wall to contain, on two occasions (in the years 1363 and 1364), the Castilian attack. In these years the coexistence between the three communities that occupied the city (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) was quite conflictive. The Jews, settled around Mar Street, had progressed economically and socially, and their neighborhood progressively expanded its limits at the expense of the adjoining parishes. For their part, the Muslims who remained in the city after the conquest were settled in a morería next to the current Mosen Sorell market. In 1391 an uncontrolled mob attacked the Jewish quarter, which led to the virtual disappearance of this community and the forced conversion of its members to Christianity. In 1456, again a popular riot also attacked the morería, although its consequences were of lesser significance.[91].
The century was a time of economic, cultural and artistic heyday for the city. Throughout this century there was also demographic growth that made Valencia the most populated city in the Crown of Aragon.[90] The local industry (with textiles at the forefront) reached great development, with the silk industry being the one that generated important economic activity.[98] At this time the Taula de canvis, a municipal bank to support commercial operations, was also created. At the end of the century, the Silk and Merchants Market was built. The city became a commercial emporium that attracted merchants from all over Europe.
This economic boom was reflected on the artistic and cultural level. During this period, some of the most emblematic buildings of the city were built, such as the Serranos towers (1392), the Lonja (1482), the Miguelete or the chapel of the Kings of the Santo Domingo convent. In painting and sculpture, Flemish and Italian trends had an influence on some artists such as Lluís Dalmau, Gonçal Peris or Damian Forment. In literature, under the protection of the court of Alfonso the Magnanimous, written production flourished, led by authors such as Ausias March, Roig de Corella or Isabel de Villena. Around 1460 Joanot Martorell wrote Tirant lo Blanch, an innovative chivalric novel that influenced numerous later authors, from Cervantes to Shakespeare. Also at this time, between 1499 and 1502, the University of Valencia was founded under the name Estudi General.[91].
Modern Age
Following the discovery of America, the European economy was oriented towards the Atlantic to the detriment of the Mediterranean. Despite the dynastic union with Castile, the exploitation of the Mediterranean remained in the hands of the ancient Crown of Aragon, that is, Valencians, Catalans and Mallorcans, while the conquest and exploitation of America was an exclusive matter of Castile. Faced with this, Valencia entered into an acute economic crisis, which soon manifested itself with the rebellion of the Germanías (1519-1522), a social revolt against the nobility who had fled the city due to a plague epidemic in 1519. I.[99].
The crisis was accentuated during the century with the expulsion of the Moors and Jews in 1609,[100] which represented almost a third of the entire population of the kingdom.[91][101] The power of the nobility, increasingly predominant, caused the ruin of the country and the bankruptcy of the Taula de Canvis in 1613. During the so-called Uprising of Catalonia (1640-1652), Valencia collaborated with the cause of Philip IV with militias and money, which caused a period of economic hardship accentuated by the arrival of troops from other parts of Spain.
The city's decline hit rock bottom with the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1709), which meant the end of the political and legal independence of the kingdom of Valencia. After the Battle of Almansa (April 25, 1707), Philip V ordered the repeal of the Valencian Fueros as punishment for the support that the kingdom had given to Charles of Austria. From the New Plant Decrees, the Castilian Fuero ruled in Valencia.[102][103] The capital of the kingdom of Valencia passed to Orihuela, as an outrage to the city. Felipe V ordered that the Audience meet with the viceroy Cardinal Luis de Belluga, who opposed the change of capital given the proximity of Orihuela as a religious, cultural and now political center to Murcia (capital of his other viceroyalty and his diocese). Thus, given his hatred of the city of Orihuela, which he bombed and looted incessantly during the War of Succession, he abandoned the viceroyalty of Valencia in protest against Philip V, who finally returned the capital to Valencia.[91].
With the abolition of the Valencian Fueros and the adaptation of the kingdom and its capital to the laws and customs of Castile, the positions of the municipal government ceased to be elective, and became directly appointed by the monarch, often occupied by foreign aristocrats. Valencia had to get used to being an occupied city, with the presence of troops quartered in the citadel,[104] which was next to the convent of Santo Domingo "Convento de Santo Domingo (Valencia)"), and in other buildings, such as the Lonja itself, which was a barracks until 1762.[91].
Contemporary Age
The century began with Spain waging wars with France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. But it was the War of Independence that most affected Valencian lands and specifically the capital.[92].
In the Spanish War of Independence against Napoleon's army—also known as the French War—the First Battle of Valencia occurred on June 28, 1808. You can still see the cannon shots on the Quart and Serranos towers. The city fell into the hands of troops under the command of Marshal Suchet on January 8, 1812 after a long siege. The occupation lasted until the end of the war in 1814.[105] After the capitulation, the French promoted some reforms in Valencia, which became the capital of Spain when Joseph I moved the Court here in the summer of 1812.[91].
With the withdrawal of the French, General Elío "Francisco Javier Elío (military)") organized a military revolt in Valencia that served to restore Fernando VII to the throne and begin the absolutist six-year term (1814-1820).[106] In the following years, as a consequence of the legislation supported by the Spanish Constitution of 1812 that ordered the formation of town councils in all those towns that exceeded the minimum number of neighbors stipulated by law, numerous Districts close to the urban center of the city of Valencia in a confusing legal situation are constituted as municipalities, among them Ruzafa and Grao "Grao (Valencia)").[91].
Between the years 1850 and 1851 Vicente Rodríguez de la Encina y Falcó de Belaochaga was mayor of the city, he also held the direction of the municipal Charity House, and was promoter of the Bank of Valencia (founded in 1900) and director of the Valencian Potable Water Society (founded in 1846).[91] During the reign of Isabel II, the title of Duke of Valencia was granted to General Ramón María. Narváez, although it was simply a noble title without any jurisdiction.
In the 1840s, gas lighting was introduced and shortly after, the paving of the streets began, a task that took several years due to the lack of resources from the city council. In 1850 the drinking water network was installed and in 1882 electricity was introduced to the city. In these years the growth of the city was consolidated and a large part of the old walls were demolished.[91].
In 1860 the municipality had 107,703 inhabitants.[107] In 1858 the architects Sebastián Monleón Estellés, Antonino Sancho and Timoteo Calvo designed the General Project for the Expansion of the city of Valencia, which provided for the demolition of the walls to allow the expansion of the city (a second version was reproduced in 1868). Both projects did not obtain final approval but served as a basis for the growth of the city. Starting in 1866, the old city walls were completely demolished in order to facilitate its urban expansion.
During the cantonal Revolution of 1873, it was articulated into the federal canton of Valencia (proclaimed on July 19 and dissolved on August 7), to which most of the municipalities in the nearby regions joined. In 1894 the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Valencia was founded.[108]. At the end of the century the city grew as it annexed the municipalities of Beniferri, Benimaclet, Campanar, Orriols, Patraix and Ruzafa, current neighborhoods of the city.
Demography
Valencia cuenta con una población de (INE "Instituto Nacional de Estadística (España)") 2025).
[nota 1].
La población empadronada en el municipio de Valencia es de 807 693 habitantes (INE 2023), mientras que su área metropolitana tiene 1 581 057 habitantes (INE 2020).[120] El área metropolitana de Valencia está formada principalmente por municipios situados en la Huerta de Valencia; algunas localidades como Mislata se encuentran completamente conurbadas a la ciudad, mientras que el resto se sitúan en una primera o en una segunda corona metropolitana. Los municipios del área metropolitana que destacan por su población son Torrente "Torrente (Valencia)") con 83 962 habitantes, Paterna con 70 195 habitantes, Mislata con 44 320 habitantes y Burjasot con 38 024 habitantes (INE 2020).[120]
A lo largo del siglo la ciudad ha multiplicado por tres y medio su población inicial, siendo los periodos de máximo crecimiento demográfico los años 1930-1940 y la década de 1960. La década de 1990 fueron años de estabilidad demográfica por efecto de la caída del éxodo rural, el cual fue un factor fundamental de crecimiento en las décadas anteriores, así como también por la reducción de la natalidad. En los años 2000 las fuertes corrientes migratorias exteriores que recibió España provocaron de nuevo una dinámica migratoria positiva, la cual comenzó a estabilizarse e incluso a ser negativa con la crisis económica de 2008.[121].
Population distribution
According to the 2009 gazetteer, the population of the municipality is distributed among the population entities, as set out below:
The progressive increase in life expectancy and the reduction in fertility have been reflected in an age pyramid that becomes narrower at its base and widens at the top, with a growing weight of the older generations. However, the city's population continues to be relatively young, with 25% of its members in the generations from 15 to 29 years old, and 29% in those from 30 to 49 years old.[123].
It should also be noted that 13.9% of the population registered in the municipality is of foreign nationality (INE 2011), coming mainly from South America (40.3% of foreigners registered), followed by those from other European countries (30.9%), African countries (13.3%), Asian countries (11.3%), Central America (3.1%), North America (1.0%), and finally coming from Oceania (0.1%).[124] The foreign nationalities with the greatest presence in the city are Ecuadorian (12,358 registered), Bolivian (12,176 registered) and Romanian (11,568 registered).[124].
Economy
La economía de Valencia y su área metropolitana está, al igual que todo el entramado empresarial, muy ligada a las PYMES (pequeñas y medianas empresas), muy competitivas, siendo reconocido su carácter emprendedor y con una finalidad principalmente exportadora.
Agriculture
Currently, a total of 3,973 hectares of the city's municipal area are dedicated to the cultivation of orchards,[125] although the successive expansions of the port and its ZAL, as well as urban development, the construction of the new Hospital de la Fe or the new roads and belts of the city, have practically put an end to the peri-urban orchard areas.[126].
However, the greatest concentration of agricultural trade takes place in Valencia, since the city's port and railway facilities are fast routes for the trade of perishable products from the countryside. Also important is the city's wholesale market, Mercavalencia, which is the reference center for the entire metropolitan area of Valencia.
Industry
Nowadays, the industrial sector[127] is actually almost symbolic within the municipality itself, due to new legislation and the urban character of Valencia. For this reason, industrial companies have moved to other locations outside the city. Since the end of the century and for almost the entire century there have been a large number of industrial companies in the city, in sectors such as metallurgy, ceramics, furniture manufacturing, etc. This exodus of companies caused the towns around the city to welcome companies, and suffer enormous demographic and economic development, as is the case of Manises in the ceramic sector, Benetúser and Alfafar in the furniture sector, or Paterna, with the creation of the Fuente del Jarro industrial estate.
With regard to the textile industry, it should be noted that this subsector has suffered tough competition from third countries. Despite this, this competition has not affected the Valencia textile industry so abruptly, since Valencian products are characterized by quality, especially with regard to silk fabrics, which have prestige throughout the world due to the tradition of this industry.
Services sector
In Valencia there are several shopping centers, department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets. The most important are those that belong to large chains, such as the Carrefour hypermarkets "Carrefour (multinational)"), with 3 hypermarkets in the municipality of Valencia and 4 in its metropolitan area, Alcampo, with two hypermarkets in the metropolitan area, the El Corte Inglés and Hipercor department stores, with 6 centers in Valencia, or the Consum supermarkets, with 68 stores, Mercadona, with 59 stores, Dia, with 29 stores, Opencor and Supercor, with 14 stores, Lidl, with 5 stores, or Aldi, with 2 stores. In addition to these facilities, in the city of Valencia there are also several shopping centers, such as the Nuevo Centro, the Aqua Multiespacio, the Saler, the Arena Multiespacio, the Ademúz, the Campanar Market, etc.
Neighborhood markets are also important for the city, such as the Central market, the Colón market, the Ruzafa market, the Benicalap market, the Algirós market, the Castilla market, the Cabanyal market or the Torrefiel market, among others. Although we must also highlight the large number of neighborhood businesses in the city, among which the clothing stores on Colón Street or the technological products stores on Islas Canarias Street stand out.
Tourism really began with the boom at the beginning of the century, when the inhabitants of Valencia began to enjoy the environment that surrounded them, mainly the coastal areas of Malvarrosa and Cabañal, where second homes were built, and even a spa. At this time, it was customary for important people to own one of these houses, for their use and to be able to invite their family and friends. A very notable case is the Valencian writer Blasco Ibáñez, and his well-known meetings with painters and philosophers of the time. After the civil war, a second tourist boom occurred, when the old fishing beaches were improved, increasing the offer of accommodation and services on the beaches to turn them into true tourist centers.
Although in reality the true tourist boom of the city occurred at the end of the century and the beginning of the century, since it was at this time when the new architectural and cultural icons of the city were built, such as the Palace of Music, the City of Arts and Sciences,[18] the Palace of Congresses or the Bioparc. During this time, several important sporting and cultural events were also held, in particular the two editions of the America's Cup "Copa América (regatta)") and the Formula 1 European Grand Prix on the Valencia urban circuit.[117] However, in 2012, the circuit was closed due to the global economic crisis, which had severe consequences in Spain, and more specifically in the Valencian Community. Today, you can still see advertising advertisements on some curves and numerous walls along the route.
The Congress Palace, designed by the English architect Norman Foster, was inaugurated by the kings of Spain in 1998 and has 15,581 m², equipped with 3 auditoriums or conference rooms, 9 committee rooms and an exhibition area of 1,500 m.[128] This building is designed for holding all types of events and conventions, both national and international, especially large congresses and conferences. The 8,200 m² roof of the building stands out for the presence of photovoltaic sheets to produce electricity and is supported by pillars of glass, stone and alabaster, with an 18 m high canopy.
Since its launch in 1998 until 2023, the Congress Center has hosted more than 3,300 events with 2.4 million attendees.[129] Coming to be recognized in 2010 and 2018 as the best congress venue in the world, receiving the World's Best Convention Center, the highest award from the International Association of Conference Centers.[130].
For its part, the Valencia International Exhibition Fair (Feria Valencia) is the oldest organizing institution for fair events in Spain, since it was founded in 1917. The trade fair is located in the Valencian district of Benimámet, and was recently remodeled and expanded, by the architect José María Tomás Llavador, becoming the fair institution with the fourth largest venue in the world. Feria Valencia organizes more than a hundred competitions, fairs and events every year, which is why it is one of the most important within the European circuit.
The sectors that regularly hold fairs in this venue are agriculture, food products, furniture, tourism, training and employment, etc. In 2010, Feria Valencia counted more than one million three hundred thousand visitors from all over the world and more than twelve thousand exhibitors participated in its events (both direct and represented). Therefore, the economic impact of Feria Valencia on its surroundings is estimated between 700 and 800 million euros annually.[131].
stock market
In Spain, the first Stock Exchange to be established was that of Madrid, in 1831, and later those of Bilbao, in 1890, and Barcelona, in 1915, were created. While the Valencia Stock Exchange began its journey in 1980, when the old Stock Exchange was transformed into a Stock Exchange. The headquarters of the Valencia Stock Exchange is in the Böil de Arenós Palace, in the Ciutat Vella district "Ciutat Vella (Valencia)").[132].
In any case, the history of the Valencia Stock Exchange goes back further, since in 1863 a Stock Exchange was requested for Valencia, because at that time there were already brokers, who met in the Lonja. Although it was not until November 15, 1887 when the Bolsín de Valencia began to operate, which was located at the headquarters of the College of Trade Brokers, located at number 10 Puñalería Street.[133].
Currently, the Valencia Stock Exchange is an official secondary market, intended for the exclusive negotiation of "Action (finance)" shares and convertible securities or securities that grant acquisition or subscription rights. According to the Securities Market Law (LMV), "Official secondary securities markets are those that operate regularly, in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its implementing regulations, and, especially, with regard to the conditions of access, admission to trading, operating procedures, information and advertising."[134].
R&D&i
In 2002, the Polytechnic University of Valencia inaugurated the Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación science park "Universidad Politécnica de Valencia") (CPI),[135] which comprises a space of 140,000 m², and brings together the entire R&D&I system of the UPV, that is, 45 research institutes,[136] some 3,000 researchers, as well as some 400 support people.[136][137].
The CPI is a networked science park structured in three areas of action; the venue, in which more than 25 town councils, business associations and promoting entities from the entire province of Valencia participate; the national one, with more than 100 Spanish public and private R&D&i organizations; and the international one,[135] where CPI researchers and research centers collaborate with more than 1,000 public and private research and innovation promotion bodies from more than 60 countries. The management of the Network and the revitalization of cooperation between its actors is the responsibility of the Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación Foundation, a non-profit entity promoted by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and among whose reference patrons is the Santander Group.[135] This science park is a member of the Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE), as well as the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).[135].
Within the complex of the City of Arts and Sciences, the Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF) was also inaugurated in 2002, which has 23 laboratories distributed in three research programs: biomedicine; chemical and quantitative biology; and regenerative medicine. The managing foundation of this research center is made up of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Bancaja Foundation. This center aims to study possible solutions to diseases that affect human health, applying the most advanced technologies in order to develop new therapies or diagnostic methods.[138].
Finally, in 2009, the University of Valencia inaugurated its own science park, the Science Park of the University of Valencia (PCUV),[139] located on the Burjasot-Paterna Campus, about 8 kilometers from the city center. The managing entity of the PCUV is the Fundació Parc Científic Universitat de València, a private foundation of general interest, whose patrons are the Bancaja Foundation, the Santander Group, the Valencia Chamber of Commerce and the Valencian Business Confederation, in addition to the University of Valencia.[140] This science park has a space of more than 200,000 m² for research, innovation and knowledge transfer, uniting in one only space for university research and the R&D&I demands of the Valencian productive fabric.[141] The PCUV has two differentiated areas, on the one hand there is the scientific area, of which the research institutes are part, and on the other hand the business area, made up of a business incubator and various buildings for the installation of companies, R&D laboratories and technological platforms. It currently has 6 research institutes, unique centers and scientific services, and is home to more than 60 companies.[139] Like the CPI, the PCUV is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Parks of Spain (APTE) and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).
Administration and politics
Capitality
Since its founding, Valencia has been the capital of the taifa of Valencia, of the kingdom of Valencia, of the Second Spanish Republic and of the current Valencian Community. Due to this, in recent years work has been underway on the drafting of the Municipal Charter of Valencia,[142][143] which would have the rank of autonomous norm, and would regulate the management, organization and powers of the capital of the Community to help clarify and delimit the powers of the city council, as well as to establish the budgetary financial allocation to carry them out.[142][144].
In Valencia there are four levels of public administrations, which have different responsibilities and powers. On the one hand there is the Valencia City Council,[145] which is the body with the greatest powers and public officials in the city, since it regulates the daily life of citizens, and important issues such as urban planning, transportation, the collection of municipal taxes, the management of road safety through the local police, the maintenance of public roads (paving, cleaning...) and the gardens. It is also responsible for the construction of municipal facilities such as daycare centers, sports centers, libraries, residences for the elderly, among others.
The Provincial Council of Valencia also has its headquarters in the city, in the Batlia Palace, located in the Plaza de Manises.[146] This is the public body with the least powers in the city, despite this it is in charge of managing the interests of such emblematic establishments as the Casa de Misericordia, the Centro Cultural La Beneficencia and the Sala Parpalló,[147] the Bullfighting Museum,[148] the MuVIM[149] and the General Hospital,[150] among others.
The administration in charge of the autonomous government of the Valencian Community is the Generalidad Valenciana,[151] which has the headquarters of its institutions in Valencia, such as the Cortes Valencianas, located in the Plaza de San Lorenzo in Valencia,[152] the Palacio de la Generalidad (headquarters of the Generalidad Valenciana), located in the Plaza de Manises, or the Palacio de Fuentehermosa (headquarters of the presidency of the Generalidad), located on Calle Caballeros. The Generalitat has broad powers over the management of the city, from education, social affairs, traffic, economic policies, commerce, etc. It is also responsible for the construction of facilities such as hospitals, schools, universities, residences for the elderly, etc.
Finally, the General Administration of the State "General Administration of the State (Spain)"), which deals with issues such as security (National Police Corps and Army), Justice, the management of ports and airports, Renfe trains, and the coasts, among the most prominent powers. in the Plaza del Temple.[154].
Municipal government
Since the recovery of democracy in Spain, nine municipal elections have been held, and three political parties have governed the city, the PSOE, the PP and Compromís. From the first municipal elections, held in 1979, until 1991, the PSOE governed the city. During these years there were two mayors, Fernando Martínez Castellano (1979) and Ricard Pérez Casado (1979-1988), and one mayor, Clementina Ródenas Villena (1988-1991). While from 1991 to 2015, the PP has governed the city, with Rita Barberá Nolla being mayor. Starting with the May 2015 elections, Joan Ribó from Compromís held the mayor's office, with the support of the PSPV and València en Comú. In the May 2019 elections, Joan Ribó revalidated the mayoralty, with the support of the PSPV.[155] In the last municipal elections in Spain in 2023, the candidacy of María José Catalá (PP) was the most voted and since that same year she has been mayor of the city of Turia.
The Valencia City Council government is chosen by universal suffrage in elections held every four years. The D'Hondt system is the electoral method used in Spain to distribute the councilors of the town councils, approximately proportional to the votes obtained by the candidates.
In the 2023 municipal elections, María José Catalá, from the Popular Party of the Valencian Community, won the elections, obtaining thirteen councilors, and won the mayor's office of the city as it was the most voted list.
Consular representation
Valencia hosts a good number of "Consul (foreign service)" consulates, from those countries with which there are the greatest number of commercial relations or presence of immigrants from those countries in the area.[157][158][159].
Territorial organization
Districts and neighborhoods
The city of Valencia is divided into districts, and these into neighborhoods. The city's neighborhoods, in turn, are grouped into seven decentralized management bodies called municipal district boards. The seven together are Ciutat Vella, Russafa, Abastos, Patraix, Trànsits, Exposició and Marítim. Some of the neighborhoods and districts were independent municipalities that joined the city from the second half of the century. This is the case of Beniferri, Benimaclet, Patraix and Ruzafa that appear in the 1877 census as part of Valencia; Benimámet and Els Orriols in 1887; Borbotó, Campanar, Mahuella, Pueblo Nuevo del Mar and Villanueva del Grao in the 1897 census; and Benifaraig, Carpesa and Masarrochos, in the 1900 census.[160].
Town planning
The street plan of Valencia presents a radial structure, with several concentric axes.[162] The first concentric axis is the Interior Ring, which was developed on the site left after demolishing the old city wall. The names of the streets that make up this round are: Guillem de Castro; Jativa; Colón "Calle Colón (Valencia)"); Gate of the Sea; painter López; and Blanquerías.[163] The other concentric axes are the great roads (that of Fernando el Católico, that of Ramón y Cajal, that of the Germanías and that of the Marquis of Turia), the Tránsito ring, formed by the avenues of Pérez Galdós, César Giorgeta, Peris y Valero, Eduardo Boscá, Cardenal Benlloch, Primado Reig, Peset Aleixandre, General Avilés and Campanar, and finally, the furthest from the center are the North ring formed by the avenues of Pío Baroja, Hermanos Machado, Los Naranjos and Serrería-Menorca.[164] and the South ring formed by the avenues of 9 de Octubre, Tres Cruces and Antonio Ferrandis.[165].
The radial roads are the avenues of the Reino de Valencia, Blasco Ibáñez or de Valencia al Mar,[166] that of Puerto, Avenida del Cid "Avenida del Cid (Valencia)"), Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, Ausias March, Avenida de Francia, Avenida de Burjasot and San Vicente Mártir, Nicasio Benlloch, Padre Ferris and Centelles streets. In addition to all these streets and avenues, we must highlight other roads of vital importance for the city, such as the banks of the river. The main streets of the old town of Valencia are Calle Caballeros, Calle San Vicente, Calle Quart, Calle de la Paz "Calle de la Paz (Valencia)") and Avenida del Oeste.
The Turia has been a natural barrier that divides the city into two areas, which is why several bridges were built throughout history. Some have been destroyed by floods, such as the one in 1957, and rebuilt later. Following a west-east direction, from the Cabecera park to the port, the bridges are:[167].
The city was conceived by the Romans as a place of rest, and later the Muslims built a multitude of squares and gardens. It currently has numerous parks and garden areas (the Botanical Garden, the Parque del Oeste, the Turia Garden, with more than 6.5 km of vegetation, etc.) and nearly 90% of the roads have garden areas to a greater or lesser extent. Despite this, the city has only 5.64 m² of green surface per inhabitant, one of the lowest rates in large Spanish cities.[169] Some of the most popular parks and gardens in the city are:.
• - The Turia garden, which is located in the old bed of the river of the same name. When this river diverted from its course, its space was reused as a recreational area more than 6.5 km long. It is divided into several parts.
• - The botanical garden, administered by the University of Valencia,[170] and its international identification code as a botanical institution is VAL.
• - The Real gardens or Viveros, are located in the Pla del Real district, right on the site where the Royal Palace of Valencia was located.[171].
• - The Alameda promenade was the old access to the Royal Palace of Valencia from the sea. Today it forms a promenade of just over a kilometer between the Real bridge "Puente del Real (Valencia)") and the Aragón bridge "Puente de Aragón (Valencia)").[172] The extension of the promenade, now without a garden area, has a length of 2.5 kilometers, from the Plaza de Zaragoza to the Grao cemetery.
• - The Parterre or Plaza de Alfonso el Magnánimo was built on some existing lots in the old Plaza de la Aduana, more or less in the year 1850.[173] Since its creation, the garden has suffered very few variations, mainly highlighting the one due to the flood of 1957 which damaged this garden, thus changing its morphology somewhat.
• - The Benicalap park is located far from the historic center of the city "Ciutat Vella (Valencia)"), the land where it is located belonged to the Ministry of Agriculture, and was where the horticulture station dedicated to research and experimentation was located for many years.[174].
• - The Ayora garden, a free-plan garden with romantic touches that accompanies a modernist palace built in 1900.[175].
• - The Monforte gardens were laid out in the century in a neoclassical style by order of Juan Bautista Romero y Almenar, Marquis of San Juan, notable for the artistic and historical value of its sculptures and fountains.[176].
• - The Central Park is the work of landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, the first phase was inaugurated in 2018 in the Ruzafa neighborhood on land previously dedicated to railway services, which is planned to be eliminated to complete the park, uniting it with the district of Extramurs and Patraix.[177].
Services
Education
With regard to regulated education, the Constitution states that there is a distribution of powers in educational matters between the various entities and administrations present in the State. In this way, the General Administration of the State reserves the exclusive competence to regulate the structure of the different educational levels and the conditions for obtaining, issuing and homologating academic and professional titles, while the Ministry of Education of the Generalitat Valenciana is responsible for:[178].
• - The academic organization of early childhood education, primary education, compulsory secondary education, baccalaureate, special regime education and adult education.
• - The development of official curricula corresponding to these teachings.
• - The regulation of academic and organizational measures to address diversity.
• - The regulation and development of academic and organizational measures for the schooling, integration and inclusion of students with special educational needs, as well as students with high intellectual abilities.
• - The development of academic and organizational measures to compensate for inequalities in education.
Basic education is compulsory and free, including primary education and compulsory secondary education as basic education. This education includes ten years of schooling and extends from the ages of six to sixteen, although students have the right to continue taking these educations until the age of eighteen.
In addition to these educational centers, in Valencia there are several special educational centers. The official language school in the 2009/10 academic year had 4,064 students of English, 2,103 of French, 1,204 of German, 940 of Italian, 591 of Valencian, and 1,790 of other languages.[179] Regarding music and dance studies, the city has several conservatories: the José Iturbi municipal conservatory;[180] the professional conservatory of music;[181] the superior conservatory of music;[182] the professional conservatory of dance;[183] and the superior conservatory of dance.[184] Valencia is, in addition, the main headquarters of Musikeon, an institution active in different countries in the field of specialized musical education and that annually attracts music professionals and advanced students from many countries in Europe and Latin America to the city.
The city has two public universities, as well as several private universities. It should be noted that Valencian public universities are among the best in Spain, as established by some rankings such as that of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.[185].
The University of Valencia (UV),[186] founded in 1499 under the name Estudi General, is a public university oriented towards teaching and research in almost all areas of knowledge. It is among the four best Spanish universities, according to the most recognized accreditation systems, such as the one maintained by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This university has three main campuses (Blasco Ibáñez, Tarongers and Burjasot-Paterna), also having numerous extensions, delegations, attached centers and exemplary locations, such as the historic building of La Nau,[187] the botanical garden[170] or the Cerveró Palace.[188] It is known in Valencia as the "Literary University", to distinguish it from the University Polytechnic of Valencia, despite the fact that a very important part of the teaching and research at the University of Valencia is in "non-literary" fields.
The other public university in Valencia is the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV),[189] which was founded in 1968. This is a university in which special emphasis is given to science and technology. It has several campuses, the most important of all being the one located in the city of Valencia, the so-called Vera campus, although outside the city there are those in Alcoy and Gandía. The UPV is organized into 9 higher technical schools, 2 faculties and 2 higher polytechnic schools, which are responsible for organizing the teaching of 34 degrees, and has 41 departments and 45 research centers and institutes. In 2010 it was ranked number 336 in the ranking of the best universities in the world by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, being the 6th Spanish university and the 1st Spanish polytechnic.[185].
The Catholic University of Valencia (UCV)[190] is the private and Catholic university of Valencia. This university, named in honor of Saint Vincent the martyr, was founded by Cardinal Monsignor Agustín García-Gasco on December 8, 2003. This University is the continuation of the university work of the "Our Lady of the Helpless University School of Nursing" founded in 1953, of the "Edetania University School of Teacher Training", founded in 1969, and of the "Faculty of Studies of the Company", created in 1995. Currently the Catholic University of Valencia has 7 Faculties that frame 20 official Degree courses.
In addition to these, in Valencia there are also several university campuses and business schools associated with other educational centers outside the city.[191] The National University of Distance Education (UNED)[192] has had a headquarters in Valencia since 1997, the so-called Centro Francisco Tomás y Valiente. This center was created by the Ministerial Order of September 21, 1978, although the headquarters were located in the city of Alcira. In October 1983, the Valencia sub-headquarters came into operation, which depended on that of Alcira, and whose headquarters have been located since 1987 in the Casa de la Misericordia. Subsequently, in 1995 the center became part of the UNED Basic Network of Associated Centers project, and finally, in 2000 it was officially renamed "Alcira-Valencia Center Francisco Tomás y Valiente".
Another university based in Valencia is the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU),[193] which was founded in 1999 and inaugurated in the academic year 2000/01. This University has the headquarters of its CEU Business School in Valencia, which is located in the Colomina Palace, where its wide postgraduate offering is taught.
Since 1989, the ESIC university center[194] has had a headquarters on Blasco Ibáñez Avenue in the city. This university center currently teaches, as a center attached to the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, official degrees and an also official master's degree in the terms provided by university regulations. And finally, the European University of Valencia (UEV),[195] is another university with a presence in the city of Valencia. The UEV is a center authorized by the Department of Education of the Generalitat Valenciana[196] dated January 27, 2010, although it is present in Valencia through the Valencia and Estema Business School Attached Center since September 2008.
Health
Public health in Valencia is managed mainly by regional powers through the Health Department of the Generalitat Valenciana.[197] The city within the health map of the Valencian Community, belongs to the public health center of Valencia, which controls the following health departments:[197][198].
In 2010, Valencia had a total of 28 primary care health centers and 14 offices, in which a total of 534 doctors and 124 pediatricians worked, in addition to another 698 health sector workers, such as nurses and assistants. While the total number of specialty centers was 4, in which a total of 258 doctors and pediatricians, and 233 nurses and assistants worked. It should also be noted that in 2010 the city of Valencia had a total of 7 public hospital centers (from the Valencian Health Agency), in which there were a total of 3,371 functional beds, 112 operating rooms, 3,130 medical health workers and 6,962 workers from other health activities.[179] In addition to these public hospitals, there are also 7 other private hospital centers in the city. Thus, the existing hospitals in the city of Valencia are:
Citizen security
There are two administrations in charge of citizen security: on the one hand there is the Valencia City Council, on which the municipal fire department of the Valencia City Council[199] and the local police of Valencia depend;[200] and on the other hand there is the Ministry of the Interior on which the civil guard "Guardia Civil (Spain)"), the national police "Cuerpo Nacional de Police (Spain)"),[201] and the regional police depend, although in the management of this police body The Valencian Generalitat also intervenes, in part.[202].
The local Police Force of Valencia has its origins in the Surveillance Corps created in the 1820s, which remained until 1870,[203] when the city council decided to establish a service more in line with the needs of a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants, for which the municipal guard corps was created, with a staff of one hundred officials, ten inspectors and a chief. In 1901 the first regulations of the municipal guard were drawn up, and the mounted section was created. In 1927, due to the growth of the city and the increase in the activities assigned to the corps, its staff was expanded, the corps' troops were distributed by districts, and the following year the circulation section was established.[203].
The local Police Headquarters of Valencia (located on Avenida del Cid "Avenida del Cid (Valencia)") number 37) has modern facilities in line with the needs that the city's local Police Force is facing in these times.[200] The staff of the local Police of Valencia reaches 1,900 personnel,[204] divided into several departments:[205] neighborhood police; district units; traffic units; Goe units; beaches unit; accident reports and investigation section; cavalry section; special section X-4; green patrol and molí del sol police unit; and Gama group.
The fire service in the city of Valencia dates back to 1755, when the City Council made a publication to extinguish fires. This publication detailed where the city's first fire station was located and how the "Machina Hydraulica" should be used.[206] The Valencia Sapper Firefighters Section was created by the Mutua Contra Incendios of Valencia, with the intention of protecting the intramural properties of the mutualists, although shortly after the area of action was expanded to the extramural houses. But it was not until 1857 when the City Council began to take charge of the Fire Department.[207].
Currently, the municipal fire department of the Valencia city council divides the city into six work zones (Campanar, North, West, South, Marítimo and Saler),[199] and has seven fire stations: the central fire station - general services; the Campanar fire station; the Devesa fire station; the Marítimo fire station; the northern zone fire station; the West zone fire station; and the fire station in the South zone.[199].
Communications
Article 7 of the Law on Traffic, Circulation and Road Safety approved by RDL 339/1990 attributes to the municipalities sufficient powers to allow, among others, the immobilization of vehicles, the organization and control of traffic and the regulation of its uses.[208] In Valencia these issues are regulated by a municipal ordinance on circulation, which was approved according to a plenary agreement on May 28, 2010.[209] Regarding the city's vehicle fleet, in 2010 it was made up of 495,022 vehicles:[210] 370,357 passenger cars; 50,610 motorcycles; 29,684 mopeds; 29,573 trucks; 7964 tractors; 5887 trailers; and 947 buses.[210].
The main highways in Valencia have a radial route, such as the V-21, the V-31, the A-3, the V-15/CV-500, the CV-35 or the CV-36. But Valencia also has a series of ring roads around it, these are the By-pass, the V-30, which connects the A-7 with the city's port, or the CV-30, which borders the northern area of the city.
The Valencia metro network is the third metro network to be built in Spain, after those of Madrid and Barcelona, the second in number of kilometers, after Madrid, and the fourth in number of users, after Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, although it is the means of transport in the city that has been increasing the number of passengers the most in recent years.
The current Railway network of the Generalitat Valenciana in Valencia is heir to the old interurban railway network of Valencia, popularly known as the Valencia Train, which linked the capital with nearby towns. This narrow gauge network had been built for the most part during the end of the century, and was successively managed by the Sociedad Valenciana de Tranvías,[211] later by Compañía de Tranvías y Ferrocarriles de Valencia[212] and finally by Ferrocarriles Españoles de Vía Estrecha.
The modernization of the old network, during the 1980s,[213] and its expansion and conversion into a modern metropolitan railway, have given rise to the Metrovalencia network which, after the changes in the numbering of the lines in 2015, has six metro lines and three surface tram lines:[214][215].
Valencia has a network of urban and suburban buses. The Municipal Transport Company[216] is in charge of the entire city, reaching every corner of the capital, it has a service from 3:00 in the morning on some of its lines, until 11:00 p.m. After that, the night service begins and ends around 2:00 except for Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of holidays, which lasts until 3:30.
In the summer period, between June 1 and August 31, the route of line 2 is modified and lines 20 and 23 are added to the existing network for the rest of the year, in order to connect all areas of the city with the beaches. In addition to these lines, a series of special lines are also usually activated, which operate during certain periods, such as November 1st for All Saints' Day. On the contrary, during the Fallas week, most lines are forced to modify their itinerary.[217].
Heritage
Monuments and religious buildings
The cathedral of Valencia is dedicated by the wish of James I, following the tradition of the century, to Saint Mary, being consecrated in the year 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the reconquest, Fray Andrés de Albalat. It is located on the old Balansiya mosque, which in turn had risen on the old Visigoth cathedral.[241] The predominant construction style of this cathedral is Valencian or Mediterranean Gothic, although it also contains elements of Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.
It contains some of the first and best paintings of the quattrocento in the entire Iberian Peninsula, which arrived from Rome through artists hired by Alexander VI. This last Valencian pope, when he was still Cardinal Rodrigo de Borja, made the request to elevate the Valencian see to the rank of Metropolitan, a category that was granted to it by Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. Inside the Holy Chalice, dated from the 17th century, and given to the cathedral by King Alfonso the Magnanimous in 1436, is venerated.
Its bell tower is known as El Miguelete (in Valencian El Micalet). The construction of the tower began in 1381 and ended in 1429. Due to its complexity, it was directed by several master builders, the first being Andrés Juliá, from 1381, and the following, among others, José Franch (1396), Pedro Balaguer (1414, builder of the Serranos Towers) to Martín Llobet (1425), the last of the architects who took part in the construction. Later the belfry "Espadaña (architecture)") was built (1660-1736).
During the century, numerous baroque constructions were built in Valencia, most of them religious, and old Gothic buildings were transformed both inside and out. by Juan Gómez de Mora, Senior Master of the king.[243].
At the beginning of the century, the possibility of making a majestic expansion of the basilica was raised. For this reason, the prelate called an ideas contest in 1932, which Vicente Traver won. According to his project, the new building would have the highest dome in the city, and would be one of the largest in Europe. But during the civil war the basilica burned and the work was not carried out. Decades later the idea was taken up again, but when work began at the back of the basilica, now Plaza de la Almoina, Roman, Visigothic and Arab ruins were discovered, so the project was definitively paralyzed.
From the central Caballeros street "Calle Caballeros (Valencia)") you can access the parish-museum of San Nicolás,[244] known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel since the restoration of the temple was completed in 2016, which currently allows us to contemplate the 1900 m of baroque frescoes in its Gothic vault.
Located where there was once a Roman temple and a mosque, in the century the Dominican order dedicated this parish to San Nicolás de Bari, to which the first Dominican martyr, San Pedro Martir, would later join. In the century one of its rectors was Alfonso de Borja, future Pope Calixto III, and its administrator was the illustrious doctor and writer Jaume Roig. In the century its interior is covered with baroque decoration such as the frescoes by Dionís Vidal designed by his teacher Antonio Palomino, where they show scenes from the life of the two titular saints of the parish accompanied by multiple allegories and angelic choirs.
The faithful periodically come to this parish every Monday to ask for the intercession of Saint Nicholas and Saint Jude Thaddeus in their particular needs, and the large number of "Vela (illumination)" candles that were lit there obscured the paintings until it became impossible to contemplate them.
The Hortensia Herrero Foundation financed the complete restoration of the temple and made it possible to once again see the frescoes that Gianluigi Colalucci baptized as Valencian Sistine Chapel. In 2019 it was also declared a museum by the Valencian Generalitat and can be visited by both faithful and visitors during established hours.[244].
The temple dedicated to Santa Catalina Mártir "Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Valencia)"), located in the Plaza Virgen de la Paz, was built on a previous mosque and in 1245 it had already acquired the rank of parish. It consists of a single nave, with lateral buttresses between which the chapels were placed. It is the only Gothic church in the city with an ambulatory at the head, like the cathedral.[245].
In the century the building was covered with classicist decoration in Renaissance style and, after a terrifying fire in 1548, partially rebuilt. In 1785, following the prevailing fashion, it was given a baroque appearance. In the 1950s, repristination works were carried out to return it to its original Gothic appearance, for which the walls were stripped of all baroque and neoclassical ornament.
The bell tower was built between 1688 and 1705 by Juan Bautista Viñes, whose name appears engraved on a commemorative tombstone that we can see at its base. A masterpiece of Valencian baroque, it has a hexagonal floor plan, and its elevation is divided into four floors separated by moldings, plus the body of bells and the upper finish.[246].
The primitive church of the Santos Juanes "Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Valencia)") was built in the suburb of the city known as Boatella, where an old mosque was located. The old hermitage was built before 1240 on top of the mosque. It was located outside the walls of the Arab city, near the gates of Bab al-Qaysariya and La Culebra, when the Christian wall was built it was already included within Valencia.[247].
Of its old Gothic structure, the nave and the large blinded oculus remain, known as "the O of Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rose window on one of the facades. In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction over the centuries. The wide façade of the market stands out for its unusualness, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the market, forming a unique urban complex. It is presided over by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, a stucco work by Jacopo Bertesi"), and above it rises the clock tower, flanked by the two Saint Johns and crowned by the famous Saint John's bird, the weather vane which, according to tradition, children were made to look at when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace are the caves of Saint John, semi-basements in what was once They located junkyards and secondhand stores. In the newly built temple, Saint Vincent Ferrer preached and there he offered his first sermon on the day of Saint John the Baptist.
The interior of the temple is filled with an overflowing baroque imagination, with statues by Bertesi representing characters from the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes executed by Antonio Palomino in the vault. This temple was declared BIC (asset of cultural interest) by the Decree in the BOE of February 26, 1947.[248].
On July 19, 1936, during the civil war, it was burned to the ground and its effects still linger. The paintings are in a pitiful state, as they were burned or blackened by the smoke of the fires, although work has been going on to recover them for decades.[249].
The church of San Juan del Hospital was the first church built in Valencia, after the cathedral, as a priory "Priory (religion)") of the knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Its foundation is due to the concession, made by King James I at the time of the conquest of Valencia to the San Juan knight Hugo de Folcalquier, lieutenant of the Master of his order in the Crown of Aragon, of some land next to the Xerea gate, to establish this priory seat there. Several buildings were built here: a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist; the hospital corresponding to the specific care work of this military order, which received the name "of Jerusalem, of the Hospital, of Rhodes and of Malta"; a convent; and its own cemetery for the hospital's deceased gentlemen. Everything was built between the years 1238 and 1261, with the convent completely completed before 1316.[248].
The church is preceded by a patio decorated with ceramic paintings of the Via Crucis, where these architectural remains and loose elements of the buildings that made up the foundation are preserved.[248] The real church occupies an area of 36 m long by 19 m wide, and is composed of a pointed vault with stone inserts on thick fascias that rest on corbels, and a five-sided polygonal head roofed with cross, where the presbytery is located. This was built at the end of the century and is illuminated by slanted lancet style windows; the central one is wider, with tracery and decorated with attached columns. On the stone ribs "Nerve (architecture)"), the vaults are made of charcoal brick and on their extreme walls, two tall chapels that pierce the walls with pointed archivolts and develop between the buttresses are a later work, from the 19th century.[250].
The side chapels are mostly in the form of large arcosolia that open to the nave by Cistercian ogives on attached columns, protected by a molded alfiz.[250] Their stone vaults must have been painted with frescoes that are only partially preserved, awaiting restoration, in the first part of the gospel. The last two on this side are wider and have diagonal "ribbed" roofs. In the front there are two sections of a loggia with a ribbed vault that opens at the foot of the nave.[248].
This monastery is an important work of the Valencian Renaissance that according to some authors can be considered a precedent of the monastery of El Escorial, being like this a Hieronymite monastery, a cultural focus and a church commemorating the memory of its founder. The first stone was laid in 1548 by the bishop and Ferdinand of Aragon, Duke of Calabria. The construction of the monastery continued throughout the century, with the monastery church beginning in 1601.[251].
In 1821, the confiscation of the liberal triennium suppressed the Hieronymite community. The building, according to the Royal Order of July 2, 1821, was enabled as a House of Charity and Correction. In 1823 the friars returned and carried out some minor works. In 1835 the final exclaustration took place, passing the monastery and its properties into the hands of the State. After the confiscation, the works of art and books that remained after having been looted in the War of Independence, were transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia and a good part of the books, among which are those from the valuable library of the Duke of Calabria, were destined for the University Library.
After being used as a prison, school or warehouse, between 1997 and 2000, rehabilitation works were carried out on the complex for its use as the headquarters of the Valencian Library.
These crosses, which in the Crown of Aragon used to be called peirones and in other places humiliados, were located on the roads to mark the limits of the city.[252] The Valencia City Council owns all the crosses located within its municipal area, as well as some crosses that are outside it, such as the covered cross on the road to Barcelona, located in Almácera, and the covered cross of Mislata.
The covered cross of the Camino Real de Játiva is located on the old Camino Real de Játiva, current San Vicente street. It is a Gothic work carried out in the year 1376 (century) by an unknown author. Between the years 1432 and 1435 (century) the master builder Juan del Poyo and the carver Johan Llobet renovated the cross on behalf of the Murs e Valls Factory, and in the century the temple was restored again and in 1898 (century) José Aixá carried out a complete reconstruction of the work. Another cross is that of the camí del Mar, currently located in a small garden on Avenida del Puerto, which was originally a Gothic cross, although the stone cross has disappeared and has been replaced by an iron one. What is preserved is the pedestal and the images that adorn it, although in quite poor condition. Between 1423 and 1424 Martí Llobet worked there and in 1428 his son Joan Llobet.
Other crosses are the Pinedo "Pinedo (Valencia)"), which is a modern reproduction of the original cross made in 1995 by the Valencian sculptor Jesús Castelló, the cross of the terminus of Avenida de Cataluña, inaugurated on May 3, 1965 and located at the exit of Valencia on the old Barcelona highway, the cross of the terminus of the Pista de Silla, made by the sculptor Antonio Sacramento in 1965 and the cross of the terminus from the avenue of the Cortes Valencianas.
Monuments and civil buildings
The Lonja de la Seda building is a masterpiece of Valencian civil Gothic located in the historic center of the city. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996,[253] it is located in Plaza del Mercado, number 31, in front of the church of the Santos Juanes "Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Valencia)") and the Central Market of Valencia.
The Lonja was built between the years 1482 and 1548, and its first builder was Pere Compte between the years 1483 and 1498 on the model of the Lonja of Palma de Mallorca, becoming an emblematic building of the wealth of the Valencian golden age (century) and an example of the commercial revolution during the Late Middle Ages, of the social development and the prestige achieved by the bourgeoisie. Valencian.[254] In the upper part of the other side of the patio there is a craft shop that covers the Consulate of the Sea. On Sundays there is a market for stamp and coin collectors, and perhaps this is the only activity that still has some relationship with the original function of the building.
Another Gothic-Renaissance style building is the Benicarló Palace, current headquarters of the Valencian Cortes. This building is an aristocratic mansion, which was built in the century as the residence of the Borja family in the capital of the ancient kingdom of Valencia. Between the years 1485 and 1520, adaptation activities were carried out on several pre-existing buildings, as well as the construction of the stone staircase in the courtyard by Pere Compte. The care of the work and its transformations aimed at greater habitability was delegated to the most prominent architects and artists active in the capital. In short, its analysis allows us to understand its future between grandiose aspirations and iniquitous oblivion.[255].
The Palace of the Generalidad Valenciana is also a late Gothic building with Renaissance interventions dating back to the 19th century. The construction of the Palace began in 1421, being expanded in the century with a large tower by the architect Montano. In 1831 the territorial court was established, which in 1922 became the Provincial Council. From 1947 to 1951 a restoration was carried out.[256].
The Serranos Towers are one of the twelve gates that guarded the old wall of the city of Valencia. Their name seems to come from the fact that they are located approximately northwest of the old town and, therefore, they were the natural entrance that connected with the roads that went to Los Serranos.[257] The Valencia juries entrusted their construction to master Pere Balaguer, who was inspired by other Gothic doors in Catalonia, such as the Royal Door of the Monastery of Poblet, which was inspired by the Genoese architectural style. Work began on April 6, 1392 on the grounds of the previous portico, and in March 1398 the work was completed.
The Torres de Quart, a pair of twin towers, were also part of the medieval wall that surrounded the old town of Valencia, whose function was to defend the city. These towers are located at the intersection of Guillén de Castro street and Quart street.[258] The Quart Towers were built by Francesc Baldomar and Pere Compte in the 19th century, between the years 1441 and 1460. Tomás Oller and Jaume Pérez also participated in the works. The style of the towers is late military Gothic, imitating the Towers or Arc of Triumph of the Castell Nuevo in Naples.
Culture
Valencia ha sido durante siglos fuente y refugio cultural. Ha sido, por ejemplo, el segundo centro de producción y difusión de tebeos en España, tras Barcelona y por delante de Madrid,[271] gracias a editoriales como Valenciana y Maga, que permitieron el florecimiento de la denominada Escuela Valenciana de historieta.[272] Actualmente las manifestaciones culturales son muy abundantes, lo cual está relacionado con la esencia de la ciudad mediterránea, ya que muchas de estos actos se suelen dar en espacios abiertos, apoyados y promocionados tanto por organismos oficiales como por privados.
Museums, archives and libraries
The city of Valencia, rich in monuments and architectural spaces of great interest, has more than fifty museums and exhibition halls, many of which were created thanks to the contribution of individuals through donations and private collections.
The most important plastic arts museums in the city are the San Pío V Museum of Fine Arts and the IVAM (Institut Valencià d'Art Modern), which are spaces where permanent collections, temporary exhibitions can be seen and where different activities are developed designed for all citizens and visitors who come to the city. They are managed by various public administrations, corporations and private associations.
The González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts, located in the former palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, an imposing baroque building, contains the most complete collection of ceramic objects in Spain, and one of the most important in Europe.
There are also several historical museums, such as the House of the Rocks, which was built in the century to serve as a museum, the Museum of History of Valencia, inaugurated on May 7, 2003 in a building that was originally the first water tank in Valencia, which was built by Ildefonso Cerdá and Leodegario Marchessaux based on an original design by Calixto Santa Cruz, or the Almoina museum, which was inaugurated on December 20, 2007, in the basement of the homonymous square, where numerous archaeological remains dated from the different civilizations that have inhabited the city are displayed, that is, Roman, Visigoth and Islamic remains.
The paleontological museum's collections are also historic. Exhibited since 1908 in the Almudín museum and currently in the Museum of Natural Sciences, located in the Viveros gardens, where you can see unique geological and paleontological pieces, the museum of natural sciences, the bullfighting museum (next to the bullring), the rice museum or the fallero museum (mainly during fallero hours).
Others are dedicated to illustrious Valencians, such as the famous writer Blasco Ibáñez in his house museum, located in his old chalet on Malvarrosa beach, or the Benlliure house museum, on Blanquerías street, and the most recent of all, the Concha Piquer house museum, on Ruaya street.
Avant-garde art finds its oldest space in the Sala Parpalló,[273] dependent on the Provincial Council of Valencia, which was founded in 1980, being a pioneer in serving contemporary art. The benchmark of modernity is the City of Arts and Sciences, since it brings together several disciplines of art and culture in the same space, including several museums, aquariums, exhibition halls, projection rooms and recreational spaces, both open and in equipped facilities.
In Valencia there are also 39 municipal libraries,[274] with more than 300,000 volumes, among which the Valencia Public Library and the Valencian Library stand out, whose headquarters are located in San Miguel de los Reyes. In addition to this, in the capital of the Turia there is the Archive of the kingdom of Valencia, which contains six centuries of the history of Valencia, first as a kingdom and currently as an autonomous community, which is managed by the Generalitat Valenciana, although the state retains ownership of the documentary collections and the building, and the Municipal Historical Archive of Valencia, which is located in the Cervelló Palace,[275] and contains the documentary collections of the city.
performing arts
In Valencia there is a public network of theaters,[276] which includes the Principal "Teatro Principal (Valencia)"), the Rialto "Teatro Rialto (Valencia)"), the Talía "Teatro Talía (Valencia)") and the Sala Moratín, although there are also other private theaters, such as the Olympia "Teatro Olympia (Valencia)"). In addition, a wide variety of events related to the world of interpretation and the performing arts are held in Valencia. One of these events is the Valencia International Film Festival-Cinema Jove,[277] a festival promoted by the Ministry of Culture since 1995, and whose purpose is to be a platform for young filmmakers.[278] Cinema Jove is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF), and is a member of the European Coordination of Film Festivals.[279].
The Tirant Avant Festival,[280] is the festival of audiovisuals and new technologies. It is organized every year by the Audiovisual Information, Training and Promotion Agency, with the support of Tatzen Gestión y Produccion Audiovisual, Feets Gesció de Projectes, and Metadissenyvoluntady. This festival is the fruit of the spirit and experience of the eleven editions of the TIRANT AWARDS in the Valencian Audiovisual Industry and its goal is to create a bridge between traditional production and new formats.
Although the most important international film festival in the city was the Mostra de València, a benchmark for cinema from the Mediterranean area. From 1980 to 2011 the Mostra was held uninterruptedly every year, until the 31st edition, when the City Council decided to stop organizing it.[281] The various prizes awarded in the official section represented a palm tree, in addition to including the name of the winners on the particular walk of fame of Valencia, which was inaugurated in the XXV edition of the Mostra de València on the city's seafront promenade.
In 2003, another event of this type also began to be held, the València Escena Oberta (VEO),[282] which was intended to promote and bring the performing arts increasingly closer to the citizen, as well as support and promote students in the sector. The events included in this contest took place throughout the city (streets, subway stations, old factories, theaters, etc.). The VEO was under the direction of the actor and politician Toni Cantó, until 2006,[283] when he was succeeded by the journalist Mariví Martín, who remained in office until 2011,[284] at which time the contest was suspended as a measure to combat the municipal deficit.[285].
The Valencian apitxat
In Valencia, in addition to speaking Spanish (the official language of Spain), Valencian is spoken, which is the own and co-official language of the entire Valencian Community, and therefore also of the city, according to the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community. The institution that regulates Valencian is the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua (AVL), which rules that Valencian is the name that the Valencian People give to the language known internationally and academically as Catalan.[286].
The characteristic Valencian of this city is apitxat, a dialect of the metropolitan area of Valencia.[287] Despite being greatly influenced by Castilian, Apitxat retains certain ancient characteristics that have been lost in the rest of the Valencian dialects. Its main features are:
• - The devoicing of the alveolar and palatal sounds, as in casa, tretze and metge ['kasa, 'tretse, 'metxe] (house, thirteen and doctor, respectively).
• - The one that preserves archaic forms of the plural, which maintain the original Latin n, as in hòmens [homes] (men) or jóvens [young people] (young people).
• - One who has a certain tendency to diphthongize the unstressed initial o (when it becomes a syllable) with au: aulor [odor] (smell), aufegar [ofegar] (drown), aubrir [obrir] (open).
Music
Music in its multiple forms and manifestations is one of the most cultivated arts in the Valencian Community and in the city of Valencia. As the Valencian music law states (Law 2/1998), this "is part of its culture and is one of the arts that most identifies it as a people."[288] Music bands are something fundamental for the capital of Turia, since they are one of the main identity elements of Valencian music. Every July, since 1886, the City of Valencia International Music Band Competition has been held, in which more than 2,000 musicians parade through the stages of the Music Palace and the Bullring "Plaza de Toros (Valencia)").
Another musical event in the city of Valencia is the MTV winter, which is a music concert sponsored by the music television par excellence, MTV. Every year, since 2008, every winter a free macro-concert is held on the esplanade of the City of Arts and Sciences, in which groups such as The Cure,[290] in 2008, Franz Ferdinand,[291] in 2009, Arctic Monkeys,[292] in 2010,[293] or My Chemical Romance and Sum have participated. 41,[294] in 2011.
In addition to this, it is important to highlight that Valencia is the headquarters of two professional orchestras: the Valencia Orchestra and the Valencian Community Orchestra. Both have their headquarters in two first-rate buildings located in the old bed of the Turia River. The first of these buildings is the Palacio de la Música,[295] headquarters of the Valencia orchestra. Since its inauguration, on April 25, 1987, it has established itself as one of the most important musical centers in Spain as a whole. The building has several rooms for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, shows and film screenings among other activities. The acoustics of the Palace, and especially that of its José Iturbi room, have been praised by many of the musicians who have performed there. The main international soloists have performed there and some unrepeatable events have taken place: among them, what was the last concert directed by what many consider the greatest orchestra conductor in history, Carlos Kleiber, and the concert for 20 pianos that in 2011 jointly celebrated the 20th anniversary of two reference institutions for Valencian music, Clemente Pianos and the Musikeon courses.
The other building is the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts,[296] the Valencia opera house and headquarters of the Valencian Community orchestra. It is the work of Santiago Calatrava and is part of the architectural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. It was inaugurated on October 8, 2005 by Queen Sofia,[297] although the first opera was not performed until October 25, 2006, for which the opera Fidelio by Beethoven was chosen.
International events
Throughout its history, Valencia has hosted several cultural, religious or scientific events. One of the first cultural events held in the city was the Regional Exhibition of 1909,[298] a commercial and industrial exhibition organized by the Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia and promoted by its president Tomás Trénor, which took place in the city between May 22 and December 22 of 1909.[299] The entire exhibition occupied an area of 16 hectares, in the form of a fairground with pavilions. and buildings around the current urban framework of Alameda. The opening ceremony of the Exhibition took place on May 23, 1909 by King Alfonso
The city also hosted annually, until 2014,[300] the Valencia Fashion Week, that is, the fashion week of Valencia,[301] which replaced the Pasarela del Carmen. This fashion competition has been held twice a year since 2006, once to present the autumn-winter season and another for the spring-summer season. In recent editions, the venue where it was held was the Agora of the City of Arts and Sciences.[302].
Every year another major cultural event was also held, the Campus Party,[303] which was held in Valencia from 2005 to 2011.[304] This event was recognized as the largest online technology, creativity, leisure and digital culture event in the world. This event was an annual meeting held since 1997 that brought together thousands of participants with their computers from all over Spain and other nations for seven days, in order to share concerns, exchange experiences and carry out all types of activities related to computers, communications and new technologies.
It should be noted that in recent years, the city has hosted several scientific events of great international importance, such as the 27th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climate Change (IPCC),[305] held between November 12 and 17, 2007, at the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. This meeting brought together 450 delegates from more than 130 countries who attempted to approve the conclusions of the Fourth Assessment Report (known as AR4).
The 57th International Astronautics Congress (IAC 2006) was also held in the city,[306] since during the congress held in Bremen in October 2003, Professor Víctor Reglero, member of the International Academy of Astronautics, representing the Generalidad Valenciana, the Valencia City Council, the University of Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia and SENER, presented Valencia's candidacy to be host of the 57th International Astronautical Congress. Finally, this event was held in Valencia on the days between October 2 and 6, 2006, with the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum as its headquarters.
Valencia has been the venue for several religious events, among which the V World Meeting of Families stands out,[307] which was held in Valencia from July 1 to 9, 2006,[308] as decided by John Paul II and later ratified by his successor (Benedict XVI). This meeting, in which the Pope actively participated, was made up of numerous events, meetings and conferences around the concept and content of the Christian family. Some of these activities were suspended due to a tragic subway accident, which occurred days before the Pope's arrival; For this reason, Benedict XVI decided to change part of his programming to hold an act of tribute to the victims at the station where the tragedy occurred.
Traditions and popular culture
In the city of Valencia there are many and varied festivals,[312] some known throughout the world and others unknown even by some residents of the city, but no less important or significant for that reason. Of all of them, some can be highlighted, both because they have been declared festivals of tourist interest[313] or because of the importance of these festivities for the city as a whole.
From March 15 to March 19 the days and nights in Valencia are a continuous party, but from March 1 the popular mascletás are fired every day at 2 p.m. The Fallas are a festival with a deep-rooted tradition in the city of Valencia and different towns in the Valencian Community,[312] which has become a very important tourist attraction for both the city and the group of towns where they are celebrated. Its origins are really simple, since originally on the night of San José a simple burning of waste from the carpentry workshops was carried out, but the inventiveness of the Valencian people has brought together all the features of its culture and history, although it is worth highlighting the satirical nature of the Fallas monuments on current issues.
Holy Marinera Week[314] is called "marinera" because it is celebrated in the district of Poblados Marítimos, specifically in the neighborhoods of Grao "Grao (Valencia)"), Cabañal and Cañamelar.[315] Currently, Holy Week Marinera has 32 brotherhoods, brotherhoods and corporations, of which five hold the title of Royal.
Holy Week is extended with the festival in honor of Saint Vincent Ferrer "Fiestas de San Vicente Ferrer (Valencia)"),[316] patron saint of the Community canonized by Calixto III from Setaba. This day it is customary to visit the saint's birthplace (currently a chapel), where «El Pouet de Sant Vicent» is located, from which children are given a drink «so that they speak quickly, do not suffer from tonsillitis, do not swear falsely or be blasphemers».[317]
Within the festival, groups of children represent, always in the Valencian language (the one that the Saint always spoke), prodigious events attributed to the Dominican saint, the so-called miracles. The representations take place in the thirteen altars that are built in the different neighborhoods of the city, which are always presided over by the image of the patron saint.[317].
On the second Sunday of May, the city of Valencia celebrates the festival of the Virgen de los Desamparados, popularly known as "la Geperudeta", an affectionate allusion to the slightly bent posture of one of the images of this invocation of the Virgin.[318] This festival has the most anticipated moments of a particularly emotional day, in which thousands and thousands of Valencians turn out to pay tribute to their patron saint.
On the eve of the festival, several events are held in the Plaza de la Virgen, such as the or the (traditional dances), and finally, among the events that are celebrated during the day, the mass, the mass, the transfer of the Virgin (a mass event where Valencians play and shout salutes to the patron saint) and the general procession stand out.
Gastronomy
In the city's traditional gastronomy, the famous Mediterranean diet, the use of rice,[332] olive oil, garden vegetables and fish and seafood from the Mediterranean coast have special weight.
The most international dish in Valencia is paella (name of the container where it is cooked), which was originally a humble dish cooked by the inhabitants of the Albufera marsh. This plan is based on rice, although it is complemented with local products, mainly chicken, rabbit, duck, snails, legumes and fresh vegetables. Over time, several variants of paella have appeared, such as the one made with seafood, the one that only contains vegetables, or the one that replaces rice with noodles, the so-called fideuá. All types of paellas and fideuás are usually seasoned with lemon and not with aioli, as is usually done in other typical fish rice (rice a banda or black rice "Black rice (Spanish cuisine)")).
Another dish whose base is rice is baked rice, made in a clay pot and in the oven, and whose main ingredients are tomato, chickpeas, paprika, various types of sausage, potatoes, bacon and pork ribs. This dish, despite not being well known outside of the Valencian Community, is one of the most traditional and popular in the area.
Finally, the rest of the dishes made with rice are arroz a banda with fish base; or black rice "Black rice (Spanish cuisine)"), a variant of the previous one, to which squid ink is added to achieve its typical black color; rice with chard, which in addition to rice and chard includes white beans, potatoes, dried cod and snails; or rice with beans and turnips,[333] a soupy rice more suitable for the winter season.
All i pebre is a typical Valencian sauce used to cook fish. The most famous variant of this dish is the one that uses eels in its preparation, which has achieved total supremacy over the rest, so currently the usual thing is to refer to it by the name all i pebre, all i pebre made of eels.
In Valencia there is also a great tradition in cakes and sweets, with sponge cakes and cakes standing out for their variety, such as coca de llanda, coca de sachí, coca cristina, coca with raisins and nuts, mona de Pascua or panquemado, although the variety of sweets also includes fartones, buñuelos, marzipan, peladillas or rosquilletas, among many others. The main ingredients are almost always almonds, sugar and honey, because many of the sweets that are part of the Valencian gastronomic culture are of Andalusian origin.
As far as drinks are concerned, it should be noted that horchata de chufa (prepared with water, sugar and tiger nuts) is the traditional drink par excellence of Valencia. Another typical drink is the mistela de muscatel, a sweet liquor wine with a high alcohol content (Vol. 15%), which is made by adding wine alcohol or brandy to the must to interrupt the fermentation.[334] Also notable is the cocktail originally from the city known as Agua de Valencia, whose fundamental ingredients are cava, triple sec liqueur and orange juice.[335][336][337].
Sports
On April 10, 1981, the Valencia City Council created the autonomous organization Fundación Deportiva Municipal de Valencia, which is a public law entity of an institutional nature. This body is in charge of managing all municipal sports facilities, among which the Palau Velódrom Lluís Puig stands out,[338] the Turia athletics stadium, the Municipal Pelota Valenciana Center of Masarrochos,[339] the Fuente de San Luis Pavilion,[340] the sports centers of Orriols, Torrefiel, Abastos and de la Petxina, and the different swimming pools, soccer fields and sports centers from each neighborhood.
The Valencia City Council is the owner of another top-level sports venue, the Trinquete de Pelayo, known as the Cathedral of the Escala i corda for being the most renowned "Trinquete (Valencian ball)") in the Community, since it is in this trinquete where the finals of the main competitions, such as the Circuit Bancaixa, are usually played.[341].
In addition to the public municipal facilities, Valencia has two football stadiums, the Mestalla stadium and the Ciudad de Valencia stadium, a golf course, as well as a couple of marinas: on one side is the yacht club port, located to the south of the commercial port; and on the other hand is the Valencia Marina (known during the America's Cups of sailing as Port America's Cup), located in the inner dock of the port of Valencia.
Valencia CF was founded on March 18, 1919, and currently plays in the first division of Spain, playing its home matches at the Mestalla stadium, whose capacity is 48,000 spectators. In the historical LaLiga classification, Valencia CF occupies fifth place, behind Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club. It is the fifth Spanish club with the most national titles (14 national championships), and the third with the most international titles behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (5 titles in UEFA competitions at club level).[342] Valencia CF is also the third Spanish club with the largest budget, after Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona, with more than 100 million euros.[343] According to a survey carried out by the CIS in May 2007, Valencia CF is the third football club in percentage in terms of supporters in Spain (5.3%), behind Real Madrid CF (32.8%) and FC Barcelona (25.7%), and ahead of Athletic Club (5.1%), Atlético de Madrid (4.3%) and Real Betis Balompié (3.3%),[344] so it has more than 800 supporters clubs.[345].
The city also has another team in Spain's first division, Levante Unión Deportiva. In 1909 the Real Gimnático Club de Fútbol and the Fútbol Club Levante were founded, coinciding with the founding of the Valencian Football Federation. Both merged in 1939 under the name Unión Deportiva Levante-Gimnástica, finally becoming Levante UD in 1941.[346] In the 1960s, the Ciudad de Valencia stadium was built with a capacity for 26,354 spectators, a new stadium of 40,000 square meters in the Orriols neighborhood, behind San Miguel de los Reyes. The stadium was inaugurated, under the presidency of Antonio Román, on September 9, 1969, with a friendly match against Valencia CF.
Twin cities
The city of Valencia has several quality interconnections with some cities around the world, through these official collaborations from different automotive sectors it also has a long tradition in the city, since the Valencia Community is a pioneer in this sport and 2nd in number of licenses at the national level (Spain has specific projects to increase and benefit the Valencian presence abroad, and enhance the image of the city and its development).
Almost all the twinning that the city of Valencia has carried out were basically done between the years 1978 to 1984. During these years, the necessary actions were taken to achieve twinning with the following cities:[370].
In addition, Valencia signed twinning protocols with the following cities that were not formalized:[371].
• - Lugano.
• -Dallas.
• - Stuttgart.
• - Portal:Spain. Content related to Spain.
• - Portal:Valencian Community. Content related to Valencian Community.
• - Valencia metropolitan area.
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category about Valencia.
• - Wiktionary has definitions and other information about Valencia.
• - Wikiquote hosts famous phrases from or about Valencia.
• - Wikinews has news related to Valencia.
• - Wikiviajes hosts travel guides for Valencia "voy:Valencia (city)").
• - Valencia City Council.
References
[1] ↑ Los datos de 1787 provienen del censo de Floridablanca citados por Bernat i Martí y Badenes Martín en Crecimiento de la población valenciana. Análisis y prevención de los censos demográficos (1609-1857). Ediciones Alfons el Magnànim. Valencia, 1994.
[3] ↑ a b Organismo Autónomo Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica. «Visualizador de mapas e imágenes». Iberpix. Gobierno de España. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2024.: http://www.ign.es/iberpix/visor/
[4] ↑ a b Juan Enrique Ferrer (10 de marzo de 2005). «La fundación de Valencia». www.20minutos.es (Multiprensa y Más). Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.20minutos.es/carta/10161/0/
[5] ↑ Lerma i Blasco, Joan (7 de diciembre de 1984). «Ley 4/1983, de 23 de noviembre, de uso y enseñanza del Valenciano». Boletín Oficial del Estado (20). Boletín Oficial del Estado. p. 6362. ISSN 0212-033X. Consultado el 16 de marzo de 2024.: https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1984/BOE-A-1984-1851-consolidado.pdf
[15] ↑ UNESCO. «La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia». World heritage convention (en inglés). UNESCO. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2024.: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/782/
[17] ↑ Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno. «Historia y misión». En Generalidad Valenciana, ed. Colección. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2014.: https://ivam.es/es/coleccion/
[19] ↑ a b c Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (2011). «Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias». Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Generalidad Valenciana. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cac.es/
[23] ↑ BOE. «Concesión del título de Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional a la Semana Santa Marinera de Valencia». Consultado el 27 de agosto de 2012.: http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2012-683
[24] ↑ «Capital Verde Europea 2024 - Valencia». Ayuntamiento de Valencia. 12 de enero de 2024.: https://www.valencia.es/web/cve
[26] ↑ a b c Esther Cerveró (26 de febrero de 2009). «Imágenes, carteles y sonidos de una exposición olvidada». ElMundo.es (Unidad Editorial Internet, S.L.). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/02/26/valencia/1235673837.html
[35] ↑ «La Copa Davis llegará a Valencia del 10 al 15 de septiembre en el Pabellón Municipal de la Fuente de San Luis». Ajuntament de València. 14 de marzo de 2024.: https://www.valencia.es/-/seu-copa-davis
[46] ↑ «Decreto 6/2017, de 10 de febrero, del Consell, por el que se aprueba el cambio de denominación del municipio de Valencia por la forma exclusiva en valenciano de València». Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana. 14 de febrero de 2017.: http://www.dogv.gva.es/datos/2017/02/14/pdf/2017_1189.pdf
[47] ↑ «Decreto 16/2017, de 10 de febrero, del Consell, por el que se aprueba el cambio de denominación del municipio de Valencia por la forma exclusiva en valenciano de València». Boletín Oficial del Estado. 12 de abril de 2017.: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2017-4116
[53] ↑ Academia Valenciana de la Lengua (2002). De les Normes de Castelló a l’Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua. Valencia: Generalidad Valenciana. ISBN 84-482-3309-3. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[55] ↑ a b «DECRETO 69/2017, de 2 de junio, del Consell, de regulación de los criterios y procedimiento para el cambio de denominación de los municipios y otras entidades locales de la Comunitat Valenciana. [2017/5604]». Diario Oficial de la Generalidad Valenciana. Generalidad Valenciana. 2 de junio de 2017. Consultado el 26 de septiembre de 2023.: https://dogv.gva.es/portal/ficha_disposicion_pc.jsp?sig=005556/2017&L=1
[61] ↑ Direcció General d'Administració Local, ed. (1988). Proposta de demarcacions territorials homologades (en valenciano). Valencia: Conselleria d'Administracions Públiques. ISBN 84-7579-587-0. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[62] ↑ Blasco Ibáñez, 2001, p. 280.
[63] ↑ a b Enric Guinot Rodríguez (2008). «El paisaje de la huerta de Valencia: elementos de interpretación de su morfología espacial de origen medieval». Historia de la Ciudad V. Tradición y progreso (Valencia: Universidad de Valencia). pp. 98-111. ISBN 978-84-86828-80-6. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.thomasfglick.com/images/Guinot-%20Landscape%20of%20Valencian%20huerta.pdf
[65] ↑ Miquel Montañana Palacios y Santiago Tormo Esteve (2002). «Llos azudes del turia en la vega de Valencia. Aspectos funcionales, constructivos y morfológicos del sistema de mestalla y su conservación compatible con los usos actuales». Actas del I Congreso del GEIIC. Conservación del Patrimonio: evolución y nuevas perspectivas. (Grupo Español del IIC). Consultado el 15 de octubre de 2011.: http://ge-iic.com/files/1congreso/Miquel_M.pdf
[90] ↑ EFE (13 de febrero de 2008). «Unos restos arqueológicos prueban que hubo actividad humana en Valencia en el s. III a. C.». www.elmundo.es (Mundinteractivos, S.A.). Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/02/12/valencia/1202829791.html
[91] ↑ a b c d e f Amando Llopis, Luis Perdigón y Francisco Taberner (2004). «Valencia 138 a. C.-1929. De la fundación de la ciudad romana a la configuración y colmatación de la ciudad burguesa». Faxdocs. Faximil Ediciones Digitales. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://issuu.com/faximil/docs/estudiochcv
[95] ↑ Montaner Frutos, Alberto; Boix Jovaní, Alfonso (2005). «La Batalla de Cuarte (1094). Una victoria del Cid sobre los almorávides en la historia y en la poesía». Guerra en Šarq Alʼandalus: Las batallas cidianas de Morella (1084) y Cuarte (1094). Zaragoza: Instituto de Estudios Islámicos y del Oriente Próximo. pp. 97-340. ISBN 978-84-95736-04-8. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[96] ↑ Coscollá Sanz, 2003, p. 44. «Jimena tomó el cuerpo de su marido, el ejército incendió la catedral, el alcázar, palacios, mezquitas, incluso aquellas que habían sido consagradas como iglesias, casas particulares, todo ello después de desvalijar y tomar cuanto pudieron.».
[97] ↑ Cabanes Pecourt y Ferrer Navarro, 1979.
[98] ↑ Puerto Ferre y Culla Hernández, 2007.
[99] ↑ Espinach, G. N. (1999). Los orígenes de la sedería valenciana (siglos XV-XVI) (Vol. 14). Ajuntament de Valencia Oficina D'Estadistica.
[100] ↑ historiasiglo20.org (2005). «El Imperio de Carlos V: Conflictos internos. Comunidades y Germanías». Historiasiglo20.org El sitio web de la historia del siglo XX. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.historiasiglo20.org/HE/6a.htm
[101] ↑ Escartí i Soriano, 2009, p. 336.
[102] ↑ Benítez Sánchez-Blanco, Rafael (2001). Heroicas decisiones: la monarquía católica y los Moriscos valencianos (Primera edición). Valencia: Institució Alfons el Magnànim. p. 431. ISBN 8478223649. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[103] ↑ Francisco García González (2009). La Guerra de Sucesión en España y la batalla de Almansa. Madrid: Sílex. p. 546. ISBN 978-84-7737-232-5. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[104] ↑ Felipe V (1707). «Decreto de abolición de los Fueros de Aragón y Valencia». Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011. «He juzgado conveniente... abolir y derogar enteramente, como desde luego doy por abolidos y derogados, todos los referidos fueros, privilegios, práctica y costumbre hasta aquí observadas en los referidos reinos de Aragón y Valencia».: https://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Decretos_de_Nueva_Planta
[107] ↑ historiasiglo20.org (2005). «Fernando VII: Absolutismo y liberalismo. La Emancipación de América Latina». Historiasiglo20.org El sitio web de la historia del siglo XX. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.historiasiglo20.org/HE/9c-1.htm
[116] ↑ Felip i Sardá, Josep María; Sanz Díaz, Benito (2006). La construcción política de la Comunidad Valenciana (1962-1983). Valencia: Fundación Alfons el Magnànim. ISBN 84-7822-476-9.
[117] ↑ «CIUDAD DE LAS ARTES Y LAS CIENCIAS, SA.». www.cac.es. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Generalitat Valenciana. 2011. Consultado el 19 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cac.es/CACSA/?languageId=4
[118] ↑ a b Dr. Salvador Carrasco-Arroyo. y Dr. Pau Rausell-Köster (6-9). TURISMO, CULTURA Y COMPETITIVIDAD URBANA: EL CASO DE LA. CIUDAD DE VALENCIA.. IV Congreso internacional de cultura y desarrollo. Archivado desde el original el 25 de noviembre de 2011. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011. La referencia utiliza el parámetro obsoleto |mes= (ayuda).: https://web.archive.org/web/20111125085357/http://www.uv.es/carrascs/PDF/IVCONGRESOs.pdf
[123] ↑ Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Nomenclátor: (1 de enero de 2015). «Población del Padrón Continuo por Unidad Poblacional». Consultado el 16 de marzo de 2015.: http://www.ine.es/nomen2/index.do
[126] ↑ FVMP (2007). «VALENCIA. Actividades económicas, sectores económicos». www.fvmp.es. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.fvmp.es/
[127] ↑ Conselleria de medi ambient, aigua, urbanisme i habitatge (2010). «Memoria ambiental del Plan de Acción Territorial de la Huerta». Plan de Acción Territorial de la Huerta. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cma.gva.es/contenidoHtmlArea/contenido/62484/cas/memoria.pdf
[128] ↑ Signes Martínez, Francisco (2003). «Historia gráfica de una industria valenciana desde 1891 a 2001». Dialnet (466). ISSN 1134-1416. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=739098
[131] ↑ www.palcongres-vlc.com, ed. (6 de julio de 2010). «El Mejor Centro de Congresos del Mundo» (PDF). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011. (enlace roto disponible en Internet Archive; véase el historial, la primera versión y la última).: http://www.palcongres-vlc.com/adaptax/uploads/files/060710_NP_PremioAIPC2010.pdf
[136] ↑ a b c d Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación. Parque Científico de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia». www.cpi.upv.es. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cpi.upv.es
[137] ↑ a b Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación. Centros de investigación». www.cpi.upv.es. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cpi.upv.es/quienes-somos/centros-de-investigacion
[146] ↑ Ayuntamiento de Valencia (2011). «Portal del Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de Valencia». www.valencia.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011. - [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/home.nsf/(Portadas1)/$first?opendocument&lang=1](http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/home.nsf/(Portadas1)/$first?opendocument&lang=1)
[156] ↑ «Joan Ribó, reelegido alcalde, destaca "el momento histórico: la consolidación del cambio tranquilo, pero firme, de València hacia la modernidad"». Ayuntamiento de Valencia. 17 de junio de 2019.: http://www.valencia.es/valencia/noticias/NOTICIA_066239
[167] ↑ Josep Vicent Boira i Maiques (2000). «Els orígens del Passeig de València al Mar». Cuadernos de Geografía (en valenciano) (Valencia: Departamento de Geografía de la Universidad de Valencia) (67/68): 191-207. ISSN 0210-086X. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.uv.es/cuadernosgeo/CG67_68_191_207.pdf
[168] ↑ djaa, cultura, valencia y benimàmet, ed. (2007). «PUENTES SOBRE EL CAUCE DEL RÍO TURIA». www.jdiezarnal.com. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.jdiezarnal.com/valenciapuentes.html
[171] ↑ a b Jardín Botánico de la Universidad de València (2008). «Jardí Botànic de la Universitat de València». ww.jardibotanic.org. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.jardibotanic.org/
[183] ↑ Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia». www.csmvalencia.es. Consultado el 6 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.csmvalencia.es/va/presentacio.php
[185] ↑ Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Valencia». www.csdanza.es. Consultado el 6 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.csdanza.es/
[190] ↑ Universitat Politècnica de València (2011). «Universidad Politécnica de Valencia». www.upv.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.upv.es/
[191] ↑ Universidad Católica de Valencia. San Vicente Mártir. (2011). «Universidad Católica de Valencia. San Vicente Mártir». www.ucv.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.ucv.es/
[192] ↑ «80 Opiniones REALES de Implika Valencia (Centro de Enseñanza) en Valencia | GuiaDeMicroempresas.es». 80 Opiniones REALES de Implika Valencia (Centro de Enseñanza) en Valencia | GuiaDeMicroempresas.es. Consultado el 17 de junio de 2022.: https://guiademicroempresas.es/centro-de-ensenanza/valencia/implika-valencia/
[193] ↑ UNED (2011). «Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, "Centro Alcira-Valencia Francisco Tomás y Valiente"». www.uned-valencia.net. Consultado el 1 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.uned-valencia.net/
[194] ↑ Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (2011). «Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera». www.uchceu.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.uchceu.es/
[196] ↑ Universidad Europea de Valencia (2014). «Universidad Europea de Valencia». www.valencia.universidadeuropea.es. Consultado el 16 de noviembre de 2014.: http://valencia.universidadeuropea.es/
[197] ↑ «Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte - Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte - Generalitat Valenciana». Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Consultado el 17 de junio de 2022.: https://ceice.gva.es/ca/
[203] ↑ Boletín Oficial del Estado, ed. (1992). «Orden de 16 de septiembre de 1992 por la que se constituye una Unidad del Cuerpo Nacional de Policía y se adscribe a la Comunidad Valenciana». www.boe.es. Consultado el 14 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1992/09/23/pdfs/A32399-32399.pdf
[221] ↑ Agència Valenciana de Mobilitat (10 de marzo de 11). «La Agencia Valenciana de Movilidad estudia la introducción de taxis totalmente ecológicos en Valencia». www.avmm.es. Archivado desde el original el 1 de octubre de 2011. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: https://web.archive.org/web/20111001070647/http://www.avmm.es/web/taxi-valencia
[232] ↑ Renfe (2011). «Mapa de zonas de Media Distancia de Levante». www.renfe.com. Consultado el 19 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.renfe.com/docs/levante_MD.pdf
[251] ↑ a b Iglesia y museo de San Juan del Hospital (2007-2011). «Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital de Valencia». www.sanjuandelhospital.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.sanjuandelhospital.es/iglesia/index.php
[254] ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2009). «La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia». whc.unesco.org. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://whc.unesco.org/es/list/782
[255] ↑ «La Gran Enciclopèdia en valencià (Tomo12)». Barcelona, Edicions 62 (en valenciano). 2004. ISBN 84-297-5440-7.
[257] ↑ «RESOLUCIÓN de 30 de noviembre de 2007, de la Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural Valenciano, de la Conselleria de Cultura y Deporte, por la que se incoa expediente en relación con la declaración como bien de interés cultural del Palau de la Generalitat.». Boletín Oficial del Estado (5912). 31 de enero de 2008. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/01/31/pdfs/A05912-05919.pdf
[260] ↑ Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias González Martí (2010). «Historia del edificio». En Ministerio de Cultura, ed. www.mnceramica.mcu.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://mnceramica.mcu.es/museo.html
[262] ↑ Toros del Mediterráneo - Simon Casas Production, SAS UTE (2011). «Plaza de Toros de Valencia». www.torosvalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.torosvalencia.com/
[269] ↑ Actuaciones Urbanas de Valencia (2010). «Mercado de Colón, el edificio». En Ayuntamiento de Valencia, ed. www.mercadocolon.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.mercadocolon.es/
[277] ↑ Teatres de la Generalitat (2011). «Teatres de la Generalitat». www.teatres.gva.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://teatres.gva.es/
[280] ↑ European Coordination of Film Festivals (2008). «European Coordination of Film Festivals (ECFF)». www.femmetotale.de (en inglés). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.femmetotale.de/z_pages/ecff_e.html
[289] ↑ «Ley Valenciana de la Música». BOE. 12 de mayo de 1998.
[290] ↑ cibm-valencia (2011). «Historia del Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Música de Valencia». www.cibm-valencia.com. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cibm-valencia.com/esp/historia.aspx
[296] ↑ Palau de la Música i Congressos de Valencia (2011). «Palau de la Música». www.palaudevalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.palaudevalencia.com/
[298] ↑ Europa Press (7 de octubre de 2005). «La Reina Sofía inaugura el Palau de les Arts, la mayor infraestructura nacional de artes escénicas». www.elconfidencial.com (Titania Compañía Editorial, S.L.). Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.elconfidencial.com/noticias/noticia_6652.asp
[317] ↑ Agencia Católica de Informaciones (5 de abril de 2011). «San Vicente Ferrer». www.aciprensa.com. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.aciprensa.com/santos/santo.php?id=104
[320] ↑ Ariño Vilaroya, Antonio (1988). El Corpus Republicano (Evolución de la fiesta del Corpus entre 1860 y 1875). Valencia. Depósito Legal V-14-1988.
[321] ↑ Asiciació d'Amics del Corpus de la Ciutat de Valencia, ed. (2009). «Asiciació d'Amics del Corpus de la Ciutat de Valencia». Consultado el noviembre de 2011.: http://www.corpusvalenciaamics.com/index.html
[328] ↑ «Cartilla, en que se proponen las reglas, para torear a caballo, y practicar este valeroso, noble exercicio, con toda destreza». Biblioteca Digital Hispánica. Consultado el 29 de diciembre de 2019.: http://bdh-rd.bne.es/viewer.vm?id=0000125746&page=1
[334] ↑ JOAN LLENAS, SALVADOR GASCON (2006). Los mejores arroces de la Comunidad Valenciana. Everest. p. 240. ISBN 9788424184148. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[366] ↑ Federación de la Pilota Valenciana (6 de agosto de 2011). «El “XX Día de la Pilota Valenciana” será espectacular». www.fedpival.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://fedpival.es/cas/noticias/detalle/398
[369] ↑ Medio maratón de Valencia (2011). «Medio Maratón de Valencia». www.mediomaratonvalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.mediomaratonvalencia.com/
Its historic center is one of the largest in Spain, with 169 hectares,[13] and thanks to its historical and monumental heritage and its various scenic and cultural spaces, it is one of the cities with the greatest influx of national and international tourism in the entire country. Among its most representative monuments are the Miguelete, the cathedral, the Serranos and Quart Towers, the Lonja de la Seda - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. disseminate the art of the century,[16] or the Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity, a space for civic interaction and reflection on the problems and physiognomy of today's society,[17] as well as the entire City of Arts and Sciences.[18].
Due to its long history, this is a city with countless festivals and traditions, among which the Fallas stand out, which were declared festivals of international tourist interest "Annex: Festivals of International Tourist Interest (Spain)") on January 25, 1965[19] and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 30, 2016,[20] the Tribunal de las Aguas, also declared in 2009 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,[21] and the Seaman's Holy Week, declared as a Festival of National Tourist Interest "Annex: Festivals of National Tourist Interest (Spain)") in 2011.[22] In 2024 the city received the European Green Capital award.[23].
In addition to this, Valencia has been, and is currently, the scene of various world events that have contributed to shaping the city and giving it international projection, such as the 1909 Regional Exhibition,[24][25] the 32nd "America's Cup 2007 (regatta)")[26] and the 33rd America's Cup of sailing "America 2010 (regatta)"),[27] the Grand Prix of Europe Formula 1,[28] the Open 500 tennis,[29] the Global Champions Tour of Equestrian,[30] the WPT Valencia Master in 2014, 2016 and 2018, the Valencia e-Prix of Formula E,[31] the 2022 Davis Cup,[32] 2023[33] and 2024,[34] the FIA Motorsport Games,[35] the 2024 FIBA Olympic Pre-Olympic,[36] the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour,[37] and the Valencia Marathon.[38] Added to this is the relevance of its main sports clubs, among which Valencia C. F. and Levante U. D. stand out in football; Valencia Basket, one of the European leaders in basketball; the Valencia Athletics Club, promoter of the great road events; historic Valencian pelota clubs that preserve the native sports tradition; as well as leading entities in other disciplines such as the Conqueridor Volleyball Sports Club; the Rugby Club Valencia, CAU Rugby Valencia and Les Abelles Rugby Club in rugby and the Valencia Tennis Club, among others, which consolidate the city as a true multidisciplinary sports reference.
Since 2023, its mayor is María José Catalá, from the Popular Party, which governs in coalition with Vox. She is the third woman to preside over the city.
Place names
The toponym of "Valencia" derives from the Latin term that the Romans gave it when they founded it.[39] This name can be translated as 'Courage (or strength) in the land of the Edetans' (or simply as 'Courage of the Edetans'), and is part of the custom, already practiced in Italy in the century BC. C., of founding colonies with allegorical toponyms of military virtues.[40] The Arabs called it مدينة التراب (Madīna at-Turab, 'city of sand'), because it was located on the bank of the Turia River, while they reserved the term بلنسية (Balansīa) for the entire taifa of Valencia.[41] In the time of Abd al-Aziz the city recovered the name of Balansīa,[41] which would become Valencia in Spanish.
In 2016, the plenary session of the city council unanimously agreed to recover a municipal decree that was not made official in 1996, by which the appropriate procedures would be initiated to make the official name in Valencian, València,[42] as the only official form,[43] a change that took place after the respective approvals of various government institutions, including the Valencian Academy of Language, which largely considered that the spelling was appropriate from a historical and historical point of view. The linguistic meaning of València was with an open "e", although the native pronunciation is with a closed "e" (Valéncia), which continues to be the subject of linguistic controversy.[44] On February 14, 2017, the change of name of the municipality of Valencia to the exclusive form in Valencian was published in the Official Gazette of the Generalidad Valenciana,[45] a fact that was official after its publication in the BOE.[46].
Throughout history the city has received several nicknames, such as the City of a Thousand Towers,[47] during the centuries, the Capital of Turia or Cap i Casal"). Also for several centuries and until recent times it was known as Valencia del Cid.[48].
On September 26, 2023, the plenary session of the newly appointed Valencia City Council promoted the procedure to change the official name of the city to "Valencia/Valéncia",[49] adopting for the first time a bilingual name in Valencian and Spanish for the municipality.[50] The name proposed in the Valencian language was very controversial, because despite being more in line with the recommended pronunciation,[44] its spelling follows the Standards of El Puig,[51] unofficial to write the grammar of this language.[52] Furthermore, according to Decree 69/2017, of June 2, which regulates changes in the name of municipalities and other local entities of the Valencian Community, this name could not be approved if the name in Spanish is used first,[53] since "the municipalities whose territories are predominantly Valencian-speaking, the name will go first in the Valencian form, followed by the bar and the name in Spanish. 2025 with the approval of the change by the municipal plenary session,[55] to be able to begin the procedures in the autonomous institutions.
Symbols
From the conquest of the city by James I until the reign of Peter the Ceremonious, the city used as its own weapons a shield alluding to its location, "a walled city on waves." This emblem is represented on one of the first municipal seals (1312) and on the shield sculpted on the Gothic door of the cathedral. However, since the century Valencia used the royal arms itself as its emblem, since King Pedro the Ceremonious, in recognition of the resistance opposed by Valencia to Pedro the Cruel of Castile during the War of the Two Peters (1356-1365), granted the city of Valencia the right to use the royal arms of Aragon and the royal crown on its shield and flag. In addition to this, as a symbol of the city's loyalty in the face of the two sieges suffered in the war with Castile, the king added an "L" (for loyalty) to the left and right of the shield, stamped with the royal crown. In this way, the municipal council (Consell municipal) established the composition of the shield already in the year 1377:.
The current shield[56] derives from the royal arms of Aragon, although new elements have subsequently been incorporated, such as the bat, lo rat penat "Bat (heraldry)") in Valencian, an evolution of a wyvern, which also appears in the shield of the Generalidad Valenciana, and which was integrated into the emblem of the city in the year 1503. The bat was already used in some cases and was associated with some myths of the conquest of Valencia by James I, although this was not official until the 1st century. The last element that was incorporated into the shield is due to Fernando VII, who granted two laurel branches as a reward for the city's resistance during the War of Independence.
Currently the shield has the following emblazonment: «In a losanjada shield, a field of gold with four sticks of gules, two crowned els as tenants and in the lower part two branches of laurel. At the bell, an open royal crown surmounted by a bat, seen from the front and with its saber wings extended.
The so-called Real Señera, Señera Coronada, or Señera tricolor, is the same flag as that of the Valencian Community.[57] The origin of this flag comes from a heraldic ensign, that is, a shield, which evolved until it adopted the form of a flag, with a crown on the bars of the kings of the Crown of Aragon.[58] In this way, currently the flag of the city is established as follows: «The Flag of Valencia is the traditional one. "signature" composed of four red bars on a yellow background, crowned by having the title of Kingdom and a blue stripe next to the flagpole.
Geography
Contenido
La ciudad de Valencia se encuentra en la costa mediterránea de la península ibérica, sobre la gran llanura aluvial de los ríos Júcar y Turia, justo en el centro del golfo de Valencia.[59] La ciudad primitiva estaba ubicada a unos cuatro kilómetros del mar, en una isla fluvial del Turia. Los montes más cercanos a la ciudad son algunas de las últimas estribaciones del sistema Ibérico en la Comunidad Valenciana, como el Cabeçol de El Puig y la sierra Calderona, a unos 12 km y 25 km al norte de la ciudad respectivamente.[59].
Valencia ha sido tradicionalmente la capital de la extinta comarca histórica y natural de la Huerta de Valencia, comarca que en 1989[60] se disgregó para formar las comarcas de la Huerta Norte, Huerta Sur, Huerta Oeste y ciudad de Valencia, quedando así constituida como la única ciudad-comarca de la Comunidad Valenciana, la conocida como la «Ciudad de Valencia». De este modo, la comarca de Valencia se extiende tan solo a la ciudad, sus pedanías, y el lago de la Albufera.[11] La «Ciudad de Valencia» limita al norte con las comarcas de Huerta Norte y Campo de Turia, al este con el mar Mediterráneo, al sur con las comarcas de Huerta Sur y Ribera Baja "Ribera Baja (Valencia)"), y al oeste con la comarca de Huerta Oeste.
El exclave de Rafalell y Vistabella limita con Masamagrell, Masalfasar y el Mar Mediterráneo.
El exclave de Mauella y Tauladella limita con Museros, Albuixech y Albalat dels Sorells.
El exclave de Cases de Bàrcena limita con Foyos, Meliana, Almácera, Bonrepós y Mirambell y Vinalesa.
Topography
The city of Valencia is located in the center of the Valencian depression, south of the Iberian sector. This plain is the largest plain in the entire Spanish Mediterranean basin, and is located in the center of the Valencian Community. The depression borders with the Calderona mountain range to the north, with the mountains of the Turia mountain range to the northwest, with the Cabrillas mountain range to the west, with the Caroig massif to the southwest and with the Serra de Corbera and Mondúver mountains to the south.[59].
Its origin is due, firstly, to the process of sinking of the Gulf of Valencia, which began about 6 million years ago, and secondly, to the silting process of the area due to the sedimentary contribution of the Palancia, Turia and Júcar rivers, as well as the Carraixet and Poyo ravines. This process was accelerated by the low erosive action of the sea, and in recent times by anthropic action, since man has accelerated the process of clogging of wetlands through selective landfilling.[61].
Not all of the depression is a perfect plain, since the extremely flat areas closest to the coast are connected to extensive inland foothills, such as the Plana de Cuart or the Liria field. It is also worth noting that the plain is dotted with small hills that break the unit, such as the Cabeçol of El Puig, the mountain of the Santos of Sueca, the Perenchisa mountain range of Torrente "Torrente (Valencia)") or the mountain of the Zorras of Cullera.[59] The highest altitude of the municipality of 104 m is found in Horteta.[2] Thus, the traditional landscapes of this relief unit are the fields. of orchard cultivation and humid areas, such as the Valencia lagoon[11] and the Rafalell and Vistabella and Moro marshes.[59][62].
Hydrography
The river that runs through the city is the Turia. This is a river on the Mediterranean side of the Iberian Peninsula, which rises in the San Juan de los Montes Universales muela, municipal district of Guadalaviar "Guadalaviar (Teruel)") (Teruel), and after a 280 km journey flows north of the Valencian beach of Pinedo. Its floods are famous, especially that of October 14, 1957, known as the great flood of Valencia, which with a flow of 3700 m³/s flooded a large part of the city of Valencia, producing a large amount of material and personal damage.
This fact led to the creation of a project to divert said channel and avoid subsequent flooding, and also sought to generate new infrastructure for the growth of the city. This project materialized with the construction of a new channel diverting it to the south of the city, known as Plan Sur;[63] said channel is apparently dry, because flow only flows through it during floods, since ordinary flows are used for irrigation of the Valencia plain in the intakes of the irrigation ditches from the Repartiment weir. The old riverbed that passes through the central area of the city has been converted into a recreational-cultural space, the Turia garden.
Throughout history, the water of the Turia has been used to irrigate crop fields, for which a complex irrigation network was developed, the fundamental axis of which is the irrigation ditches of the Valencia plain.[64] These ditches take their water from the last flows of the river, downstream of the weir of the Moncada ditch. Finally, the runoff and excess waters of the Turia are used for the Acequia del Oro and the irrigation of Francos and Marjales de Valencia.
The eight ditches are, on the right bank: the Quart ditch, from this ditch then the Benàger i Faitanar ditch starts, which also has the category of mother ditch; the Mislata irrigation canal;[65] the Favara irrigation canal;[66] and the Rovella irrigation canal. And on the left bank: the Tormos irrigation canal; the Mestalla irrigation canal; and the Rascanya irrigation canal.
Climate
Valencia has a mild Mediterranean climate that is slightly rainy during winters and hot and dry during summers. According to the criteria of the Köppen climate classification, Valencia has a transitional climate between the Mediterranean (Csa) and warm semi-arid (BSh) climates.[68] The average annual temperature is 18.4 °C.[69][70][67].
Valencia's climate features warm summers and mild winters. January is the coldest month, with average maximum temperatures of 16-17°C and minimum temperatures of 7-8°C. Snowfall and sub-zero temperatures are extremely rare within the urban core, and often make the news due to their rarity.[67] The warmest month is August, with average maximum temperatures of 30-31 °C and minimum temperatures of 21-23 °C and moderately high relative humidity. The daily thermal range is reduced due to the maritime influence: around 9 °C on average. Likewise, the annual thermal amplitude is small due to the influence of the sea, being between 9 and 10 °C.[70][67].
Annual rainfall is between 450 and 500 mm, with marked minimums in summer (June to August) especially in July with an average of about 8 mm; and maximums in the autumn months, especially in September and October (the average reaching slightly below 80 mm in October) due to the effect of the cold drop, which has accumulated more than 150 mm in one day on several occasions, causing flooding. The average annual humidity is relatively high due to the influence of the sea, being around 65% and varying little throughout the year.[70][67].
Below is a table with the climatological values in the reference period 1991-2020 from the AEMET observatory located in the Jardines del Real, at 11.
Below are some climatological records recorded in said observatory, considered from 1937 for temperature and precipitation and from 1945 for wind. The absolute maximum temperature record is 44.5 °C recorded on August 10, 2023, and the minimum of –7.2 °C recorded on February 11, 1956. The maximum precipitation in one day is 262.6 mm recorded on November 17, 1956, and the maximum wind gust is 117 km/h recorded on February 25, 1989.[72].
Natural risks
The main natural risk that the city of Valencia suffered was flooding, since throughout history the Turia River caused several overflows and very serious flooding of the city. Among all these overflows of the Turia, the most serious was the one that occurred on October 14, 1957 with the Great Valencia Flood, when rainfall exceeding 300 mm occurred in a good part of the Turia hydrographic basin (361 mm in Bejís, although this town is located in the Palancia River basin), which caused two flood waves over Valencia, the first of 2700 m³/s and an average speed of 3.25m/s; and the second, more violent, of 3700 m³/s and 4.16 m/s. These flood waves flooded most of the Valencian capital, causing the death of more than 80 people, in addition to extensive material damage.
After this flood, it was planned to divert the channel of the Turia to the south of Valencia, with the project called Plan Sur. This project provided the river with a drainage capacity of 5,000 m³/s,[63] in addition to other minor river regulation works. Given the delay in aid from the government after the flood, Mayor Tomás Trénor Azcárraga confronted Francisco Franco, who dismissed him. However, with his behavior the mayor achieved his objective, since based on his criticism, aid to the city was expedited and work on the diversion of the Turia began.
Another risk that usually affects the Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula is heat and cold waves. Valencia suffers several heat wave alerts every year in the summer months, which according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) are a period of at least 3 days with abnormally high temperatures. These heat waves can cause so-called heat stroke, even causing deaths. On the contrary, in the winter months the danger comes from cold waves, since temperatures can occasionally fall below 0 °C. This is due to the irruption of currents of frigid air from the Arctic or Siberia into the Valencian territory.[59] The main consequences of cold waves are road closures due to ice sheets or the danger of hypothermia for homeless people.
Seismic risk also affects Valencia, since the city is located in an area of moderate seismic danger. Throughout history Valencia has suffered several earthquakes,[73] being one of the strongest the one recorded on September 16, 2003, which had a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter scale, although that was not the greatest intensity, since in the years 1823 and 1904 the city also suffered two earthquakes of intensity 5.[73] It should be noted that throughout the years 2010 and In 2011, 16 earthquakes occurred, although all of them were low intensity, with magnitudes between 1.5 and 2.8 on the Richter scale.[74].
Flora
Valencia is located in the thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic zone, so its climax vegetation is the Mediterranean forest, while the maquis occurs in those areas where the tree vegetation has disappeared.[75] Due to the anthropization of the environment, in most of the municipal area nitrophilous plant species predominate, with the exception of those that occur in the coastal wetlands environment (Albufera and Rafalell marsh). and Vistabella) and river channels.[76].
The main tree species that can be found in the Mediterranean forest spaces that remain in the municipality of Valencia (mainly in the Dehesa del Saler) are the holm oak, the Aleppo pine and the taray, while the shrub species, which occur in the undergrowth or in maquis areas, are the mastic, the juniper, the kermes oak, the myrtle, the thyme, the gorse, rosemary, satureja and palmetto.
On the other hand, the tree species associated with the riverside forest (Turia channel) are willows, alders, poplars or poplars, ashes, elms and tamarisks, while the shrub species associated with this type of forest are, among others, reeds, reeds, cattails, oleanders and brambles. Around the humid areas and ditches there are several communities of marsh vegetation, which sink their roots in fresh water or humid mud, such as reeds, cattails, mansiegas and reeds.
In the dune ridges closest to the sea, the presence of "pioneer species" stands out. Some of these species are typical of mobile dunes, such as the reed or the sea bell, and the others are typical of fixed dunes, such as the aladierno or the mastic. Finally, in the meshes of the dunes "Parque Natural de la Albufera") there are some succulent species, such as salt grass or salicornia.
Fauna
The Valencian territory has great biodiversity, which is greatest around the Albufera de Valencia, where the La Granja de El Saler Wildlife Recovery Center is located.[77] Some fish species present in the municipality of Valencia are the fartet and the samarugo, species endemic to the Valencian Community, as well as the eel, the mullet and the sea bass, of special economic importance.[78].
The extraordinary avian wealth of the Valencian territory,[79] can be observed by the great variety of species that exist in the municipality of Valencia, where several types of ducks can be found, such as the red duck with up to 10,000 specimens, the common spoonbill with up to 20,000 specimens or the mallard. The heron colonies are also notable, including the cattle egret, the crab-eating egret and the gray heron. Finally, the presence of species such as the common tern, the black-legged tern, the common stilt, the gray teal and the seagull are also notable.
Regarding the mammals that can be found in the territory of Valencia, the rodent species stand out, such as the brown rat, the water rat, the field mouse or the Moorish mouse. Although some groups of shrews, foxes and bats (the cave bat, the long-tailed bat, etc.) can also be found.
In the municipality of Valencia there are also some species of amphibians, such as the common midwife toad, the common toad, the natterjack toad, the spotted toad, the spadefoot toad, the spotted toad, the gallipato and the common green frog.[80] As well as there are several types of reptiles, such as lizards and lizards (the Iberian lizard, the ocellated lizard, the skink Iberian lizard, the red-tailed lizard and the long-tailed lizard), snakes (the blind shingle, the ladder snake, the horseshoe snake, the bastard snake and the long-nosed viper), geckos (the coastal gecko and the common gecko), and tortoises or tortoises (the European pond turtle and the leper pond terrapin).[81]
Natural spaces
The city of Valencia has in its municipal area several places and natural spaces of special ecological, cultural and landscape importance, which largely owe their current state to the action of man.
The Albufera natural park, of 21,120 ha, was declared as such by the Generalitat Valenciana on July 23, 1986, and since 1990 it has been included in the List of wetland areas of international importance for birds established by the Ramsar Convention of February 2, 1971. Since 1992 it has been a LIC area (Place of Community Importance) and since 1994 it has been included in ZEPA areas (Special Protection Zone for Birds). This humid area is located about 10 km south of the city of Valencia,[82] and includes a system formed by the Albufera lake, its humid environment, and the coastal range adjacent to both.[11][83].
The Rafalell and Vistabella marsh, with an area of 102.92 ha, is one of the last marshes that extended north of the Turia River from Alboraya to Sagunto, which is nourished by groundwater and irrigation remains.[84][85] Regarding the vegetation of this wetland, it should be noted that it is dominated by reed beds and reed beds, which serve as a refuge for several species of birds. marshes and waders, as well as some vestiges of dune vegetation on semi-fixed dunes and salt marsh vegetation, with species such as fine limonium or salicornia. In the marsh there are some ditches and small lagoons with underwater vegetation, such as goose tongue or water spike. The fish present in the marsh are the eel, the sea bass, the mugil and the silverside, although there are suitable habitats for the reintroduction of endemic Valencian species such as the samarugo, the fartet, the colmilleja or the ditch shrimp.[84].
The Valencian orchard[62] was born in the time of the Roman Empire, when Valencia was a logistics and hibernation center for its conquest campaigns in Iberia. The Romans introduced new crops, such as cereals, olive trees and vines; However, due to the conditions of the environment, they were not productive enough.
Although what we really know today as the Valencian garden was developed in the Middle Ages, during the Islamic period. Since the Muslims created an important network of irrigation infrastructure: ditches; weirs; and small prey. This network derived the strong avenues of the Turia and the ravines, managing to drain large swampy areas and irrigating the fields. At the same time, various activities were developed along these infrastructures, such as: water mills, where the flow that circulated through the irrigation ditches was used; laundries, which served nearby homes or farmhouses.
Valencia has two urban beaches of fine golden sand, Playa de las Arenas "Playa de las Arenas (Valencia)") and Playa de la Malvarrosa, which are bordered to the south by the port of Valencia and to the north by the Patacona beach of Alboraya. and local gastronomy.
The beaches of the capital located south of the Turia do not have such a marked urban character and present a more solitary atmosphere. From the beaches of Pinedo, with the Casa Negra sector where nudism is practiced, to the Perellonet or Recatí beaches and the Perelló gola, there are more than 15 kilometers of sandy coast (protected by dunes), which constitute an offer of spacious beaches, surrounded by the Albufera natural park.[87].
History
Ancient Age
Archaeological remains from the centuries BC have recently been found. C. and a. C..[88] These are the oldest testimonies of human presence in the region. Recent research has revealed that Valencia and its surroundings, today included within the urban environment, were part of a commercial route for luxury ceramics.[89].
Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain, since it was founded under the name of Valentia Edetanorum by about two thousand Roman colonists in the year (616 AUC), in the time of the consul Decimus Junius Brutus Galaico. This was a classically Roman city in its conception, since it was located in a strategic place near the sea, a river island crossed by the Via Augusta, which connected current Andalusia (Bética) with the capital of the empire (Rome). The main nucleus of the city was located around the current Plaza de la Virgen. There was the forum and the crossing of the Cardo "Cardo (street)") and the Decumanus, which were and still are the two main axes of the city. El Cardo corresponds to the current Salvador-Almoina streets and Decumano corresponds to Calle de los Caballeros "Calle Caballeros (Valencia)").[3][90].
During the war between Gnaeus Pompey the Great and Quintus Sertorius, in the year , the city of Valenctia was destroyed, which was not rebuilt until after about fifty years. After this period of abandonment, the city recovered its population and began to build large infrastructure works, already in the 19th century, which led to the city experiencing a period of great urban growth in the middle of the century. Although centuries passed, in the 19th century, Valencia experienced a new era of decline. Finally, during the last years of the Roman Empire, in the 19th century, the city began to form a primitive Christian community.[90][91].
Middle Ages
A few centuries later, coinciding with the first waves of Germanic peoples and with the power vacuum left by the imperial administration, the church assumed the reins of the city and Christian worship buildings replaced the ancient Roman temples. With the Byzantine invasion of the southwest of the peninsula in 554, the city gained strategic importance, with Visigoth military contingents settling there.[91] After the expulsion of the Byzantines in 625, a dark period began, poorly known by history and barely documented by archaeology, which seems to testify to a very low tone of urban life. During the Visigothic period it was the episcopal seat of the Catholic Church, suffragan of the archdiocese of Toledo, which included the ancient Roman province of Carthaginian in the diocese of Hispania.[92].
The stage immediately after the Muslim conquest of the year 711 constitutes a dark period for the city about which there is not much information. Despite this, it is known that Abd al-Rahman I (first emir of Córdoba) ordered the city to be destroyed, although several years later Abd Allah al-Balansi, son of Abd al-Rahman I, exercised a type of autonomous government over the Valencian area. Among his decisions stands out the order to build a luxurious palace on the outskirts of the city, the Russafa, origin of the neighborhood of the same name, and of which at the moment no remains have been found.[91] At this time the city received the name of Medina al-Turab for a few centuries, city of mud or dust, due to the state of abandonment in which it was found.[90][93].
The greatest boom of the city began with the kingdoms of taifas (century), one of which was that of Valencia. The city grew, and in the time of Abd al-Aziz (20th century) a new wall was built, remains of which are preserved throughout Ciutat Vella "District of Ciutat Vella (Valencia)"). The Castilian nobleman Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (the Cid Campeador) entered Valencia, leaving the city in the hands of Christian troops between the years 1094 and 1102, establishing an independent lordship in Valencia.[94] After the death of the Cid, his wife Jimena, who became lady of Valencia, managed to defend the city with the help of her son-in-law Ramón Berenguer III for a time. But in May 1102, faced with the impossibility of defending the principality, the Cid's family and people abandoned Valencia with the help of Alfonso VI, but not before looting and burning the city.[95] Thus, Valencia was conquered the next day again by the Almoravids, who restored the Muslim cult.
The decline of Almoravid power coincided with the rise of a new North African dynasty, the Almohads, who took control of the peninsula from the year 1145, although their entry into Valencia was stopped by Ibn Mardanis, monarch of Valencia and Murcia, until the year 1171, when the city finally fell into the hands of the North Africans.[90]
In 1238, the city was conquered by James I with the help of troops from the military orders. After the Christian victory, the Muslim population was expelled and the city was distributed among those who had participated in the conquest, of which remains testimony in the Llibre del Repartiment.[96] James I granted the city new laws, the Fueros of Valencia (els Furs), which years later he extended to the entire kingdom of Valencia. From this moment, a new historical stage began in the city thanks to a new society and a language, which laid the foundations of the Valencian people as we know them today.[90].
According to the data on the capitulation of the city, the kingdom of Valencia had a population of 120,000 Muslims, 65,000 Christians and 2,000 Jews and thanks to the capitulation and the pacts that led to it, the Valencian population was mostly able to continue in their lands.[92] Thus, according to the Arab historian Hussein Mones") of the University of Cairo, these were the words that King Zayan said to James I at the time He gave him the keys to the city:
The city went through serious trouble in the middle of the century. On the one hand, the Black Death of 1348 and the successive epidemics of the following years, which decimated the population, and on the other hand, a series of wars and revolts followed, such as the War of the Union, a citizen revolt against the excesses of the monarchy headed by Valencia as capital of the kingdom,[92] as well as the War with Castile, which forced the hasty construction of a new wall to contain, on two occasions (in the years 1363 and 1364), the Castilian attack. In these years the coexistence between the three communities that occupied the city (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) was quite conflictive. The Jews, settled around Mar Street, had progressed economically and socially, and their neighborhood progressively expanded its limits at the expense of the adjoining parishes. For their part, the Muslims who remained in the city after the conquest were settled in a morería next to the current Mosen Sorell market. In 1391 an uncontrolled mob attacked the Jewish quarter, which led to the virtual disappearance of this community and the forced conversion of its members to Christianity. In 1456, again a popular riot also attacked the morería, although its consequences were of lesser significance.[91].
The century was a time of economic, cultural and artistic heyday for the city. Throughout this century there was also demographic growth that made Valencia the most populated city in the Crown of Aragon.[90] The local industry (with textiles at the forefront) reached great development, with the silk industry being the one that generated important economic activity.[98] At this time the Taula de canvis, a municipal bank to support commercial operations, was also created. At the end of the century, the Silk and Merchants Market was built. The city became a commercial emporium that attracted merchants from all over Europe.
This economic boom was reflected on the artistic and cultural level. During this period, some of the most emblematic buildings of the city were built, such as the Serranos towers (1392), the Lonja (1482), the Miguelete or the chapel of the Kings of the Santo Domingo convent. In painting and sculpture, Flemish and Italian trends had an influence on some artists such as Lluís Dalmau, Gonçal Peris or Damian Forment. In literature, under the protection of the court of Alfonso the Magnanimous, written production flourished, led by authors such as Ausias March, Roig de Corella or Isabel de Villena. Around 1460 Joanot Martorell wrote Tirant lo Blanch, an innovative chivalric novel that influenced numerous later authors, from Cervantes to Shakespeare. Also at this time, between 1499 and 1502, the University of Valencia was founded under the name Estudi General.[91].
Modern Age
Following the discovery of America, the European economy was oriented towards the Atlantic to the detriment of the Mediterranean. Despite the dynastic union with Castile, the exploitation of the Mediterranean remained in the hands of the ancient Crown of Aragon, that is, Valencians, Catalans and Mallorcans, while the conquest and exploitation of America was an exclusive matter of Castile. Faced with this, Valencia entered into an acute economic crisis, which soon manifested itself with the rebellion of the Germanías (1519-1522), a social revolt against the nobility who had fled the city due to a plague epidemic in 1519. I.[99].
The crisis was accentuated during the century with the expulsion of the Moors and Jews in 1609,[100] which represented almost a third of the entire population of the kingdom.[91][101] The power of the nobility, increasingly predominant, caused the ruin of the country and the bankruptcy of the Taula de Canvis in 1613. During the so-called Uprising of Catalonia (1640-1652), Valencia collaborated with the cause of Philip IV with militias and money, which caused a period of economic hardship accentuated by the arrival of troops from other parts of Spain.
The city's decline hit rock bottom with the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1709), which meant the end of the political and legal independence of the kingdom of Valencia. After the Battle of Almansa (April 25, 1707), Philip V ordered the repeal of the Valencian Fueros as punishment for the support that the kingdom had given to Charles of Austria. From the New Plant Decrees, the Castilian Fuero ruled in Valencia.[102][103] The capital of the kingdom of Valencia passed to Orihuela, as an outrage to the city. Felipe V ordered that the Audience meet with the viceroy Cardinal Luis de Belluga, who opposed the change of capital given the proximity of Orihuela as a religious, cultural and now political center to Murcia (capital of his other viceroyalty and his diocese). Thus, given his hatred of the city of Orihuela, which he bombed and looted incessantly during the War of Succession, he abandoned the viceroyalty of Valencia in protest against Philip V, who finally returned the capital to Valencia.[91].
With the abolition of the Valencian Fueros and the adaptation of the kingdom and its capital to the laws and customs of Castile, the positions of the municipal government ceased to be elective, and became directly appointed by the monarch, often occupied by foreign aristocrats. Valencia had to get used to being an occupied city, with the presence of troops quartered in the citadel,[104] which was next to the convent of Santo Domingo "Convento de Santo Domingo (Valencia)"), and in other buildings, such as the Lonja itself, which was a barracks until 1762.[91].
Contemporary Age
The century began with Spain waging wars with France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. But it was the War of Independence that most affected Valencian lands and specifically the capital.[92].
In the Spanish War of Independence against Napoleon's army—also known as the French War—the First Battle of Valencia occurred on June 28, 1808. You can still see the cannon shots on the Quart and Serranos towers. The city fell into the hands of troops under the command of Marshal Suchet on January 8, 1812 after a long siege. The occupation lasted until the end of the war in 1814.[105] After the capitulation, the French promoted some reforms in Valencia, which became the capital of Spain when Joseph I moved the Court here in the summer of 1812.[91].
With the withdrawal of the French, General Elío "Francisco Javier Elío (military)") organized a military revolt in Valencia that served to restore Fernando VII to the throne and begin the absolutist six-year term (1814-1820).[106] In the following years, as a consequence of the legislation supported by the Spanish Constitution of 1812 that ordered the formation of town councils in all those towns that exceeded the minimum number of neighbors stipulated by law, numerous Districts close to the urban center of the city of Valencia in a confusing legal situation are constituted as municipalities, among them Ruzafa and Grao "Grao (Valencia)").[91].
Between the years 1850 and 1851 Vicente Rodríguez de la Encina y Falcó de Belaochaga was mayor of the city, he also held the direction of the municipal Charity House, and was promoter of the Bank of Valencia (founded in 1900) and director of the Valencian Potable Water Society (founded in 1846).[91] During the reign of Isabel II, the title of Duke of Valencia was granted to General Ramón María. Narváez, although it was simply a noble title without any jurisdiction.
In the 1840s, gas lighting was introduced and shortly after, the paving of the streets began, a task that took several years due to the lack of resources from the city council. In 1850 the drinking water network was installed and in 1882 electricity was introduced to the city. In these years the growth of the city was consolidated and a large part of the old walls were demolished.[91].
In 1860 the municipality had 107,703 inhabitants.[107] In 1858 the architects Sebastián Monleón Estellés, Antonino Sancho and Timoteo Calvo designed the General Project for the Expansion of the city of Valencia, which provided for the demolition of the walls to allow the expansion of the city (a second version was reproduced in 1868). Both projects did not obtain final approval but served as a basis for the growth of the city. Starting in 1866, the old city walls were completely demolished in order to facilitate its urban expansion.
During the cantonal Revolution of 1873, it was articulated into the federal canton of Valencia (proclaimed on July 19 and dissolved on August 7), to which most of the municipalities in the nearby regions joined. In 1894 the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Valencia was founded.[108]. At the end of the century the city grew as it annexed the municipalities of Beniferri, Benimaclet, Campanar, Orriols, Patraix and Ruzafa, current neighborhoods of the city.
Demography
Valencia cuenta con una población de (INE "Instituto Nacional de Estadística (España)") 2025).
[nota 1].
La población empadronada en el municipio de Valencia es de 807 693 habitantes (INE 2023), mientras que su área metropolitana tiene 1 581 057 habitantes (INE 2020).[120] El área metropolitana de Valencia está formada principalmente por municipios situados en la Huerta de Valencia; algunas localidades como Mislata se encuentran completamente conurbadas a la ciudad, mientras que el resto se sitúan en una primera o en una segunda corona metropolitana. Los municipios del área metropolitana que destacan por su población son Torrente "Torrente (Valencia)") con 83 962 habitantes, Paterna con 70 195 habitantes, Mislata con 44 320 habitantes y Burjasot con 38 024 habitantes (INE 2020).[120]
A lo largo del siglo la ciudad ha multiplicado por tres y medio su población inicial, siendo los periodos de máximo crecimiento demográfico los años 1930-1940 y la década de 1960. La década de 1990 fueron años de estabilidad demográfica por efecto de la caída del éxodo rural, el cual fue un factor fundamental de crecimiento en las décadas anteriores, así como también por la reducción de la natalidad. En los años 2000 las fuertes corrientes migratorias exteriores que recibió España provocaron de nuevo una dinámica migratoria positiva, la cual comenzó a estabilizarse e incluso a ser negativa con la crisis económica de 2008.[121].
Population distribution
According to the 2009 gazetteer, the population of the municipality is distributed among the population entities, as set out below:
The progressive increase in life expectancy and the reduction in fertility have been reflected in an age pyramid that becomes narrower at its base and widens at the top, with a growing weight of the older generations. However, the city's population continues to be relatively young, with 25% of its members in the generations from 15 to 29 years old, and 29% in those from 30 to 49 years old.[123].
It should also be noted that 13.9% of the population registered in the municipality is of foreign nationality (INE 2011), coming mainly from South America (40.3% of foreigners registered), followed by those from other European countries (30.9%), African countries (13.3%), Asian countries (11.3%), Central America (3.1%), North America (1.0%), and finally coming from Oceania (0.1%).[124] The foreign nationalities with the greatest presence in the city are Ecuadorian (12,358 registered), Bolivian (12,176 registered) and Romanian (11,568 registered).[124].
Economy
La economía de Valencia y su área metropolitana está, al igual que todo el entramado empresarial, muy ligada a las PYMES (pequeñas y medianas empresas), muy competitivas, siendo reconocido su carácter emprendedor y con una finalidad principalmente exportadora.
Agriculture
Currently, a total of 3,973 hectares of the city's municipal area are dedicated to the cultivation of orchards,[125] although the successive expansions of the port and its ZAL, as well as urban development, the construction of the new Hospital de la Fe or the new roads and belts of the city, have practically put an end to the peri-urban orchard areas.[126].
However, the greatest concentration of agricultural trade takes place in Valencia, since the city's port and railway facilities are fast routes for the trade of perishable products from the countryside. Also important is the city's wholesale market, Mercavalencia, which is the reference center for the entire metropolitan area of Valencia.
Industry
Nowadays, the industrial sector[127] is actually almost symbolic within the municipality itself, due to new legislation and the urban character of Valencia. For this reason, industrial companies have moved to other locations outside the city. Since the end of the century and for almost the entire century there have been a large number of industrial companies in the city, in sectors such as metallurgy, ceramics, furniture manufacturing, etc. This exodus of companies caused the towns around the city to welcome companies, and suffer enormous demographic and economic development, as is the case of Manises in the ceramic sector, Benetúser and Alfafar in the furniture sector, or Paterna, with the creation of the Fuente del Jarro industrial estate.
With regard to the textile industry, it should be noted that this subsector has suffered tough competition from third countries. Despite this, this competition has not affected the Valencia textile industry so abruptly, since Valencian products are characterized by quality, especially with regard to silk fabrics, which have prestige throughout the world due to the tradition of this industry.
Services sector
In Valencia there are several shopping centers, department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets. The most important are those that belong to large chains, such as the Carrefour hypermarkets "Carrefour (multinational)"), with 3 hypermarkets in the municipality of Valencia and 4 in its metropolitan area, Alcampo, with two hypermarkets in the metropolitan area, the El Corte Inglés and Hipercor department stores, with 6 centers in Valencia, or the Consum supermarkets, with 68 stores, Mercadona, with 59 stores, Dia, with 29 stores, Opencor and Supercor, with 14 stores, Lidl, with 5 stores, or Aldi, with 2 stores. In addition to these facilities, in the city of Valencia there are also several shopping centers, such as the Nuevo Centro, the Aqua Multiespacio, the Saler, the Arena Multiespacio, the Ademúz, the Campanar Market, etc.
Neighborhood markets are also important for the city, such as the Central market, the Colón market, the Ruzafa market, the Benicalap market, the Algirós market, the Castilla market, the Cabanyal market or the Torrefiel market, among others. Although we must also highlight the large number of neighborhood businesses in the city, among which the clothing stores on Colón Street or the technological products stores on Islas Canarias Street stand out.
Tourism really began with the boom at the beginning of the century, when the inhabitants of Valencia began to enjoy the environment that surrounded them, mainly the coastal areas of Malvarrosa and Cabañal, where second homes were built, and even a spa. At this time, it was customary for important people to own one of these houses, for their use and to be able to invite their family and friends. A very notable case is the Valencian writer Blasco Ibáñez, and his well-known meetings with painters and philosophers of the time. After the civil war, a second tourist boom occurred, when the old fishing beaches were improved, increasing the offer of accommodation and services on the beaches to turn them into true tourist centers.
Although in reality the true tourist boom of the city occurred at the end of the century and the beginning of the century, since it was at this time when the new architectural and cultural icons of the city were built, such as the Palace of Music, the City of Arts and Sciences,[18] the Palace of Congresses or the Bioparc. During this time, several important sporting and cultural events were also held, in particular the two editions of the America's Cup "Copa América (regatta)") and the Formula 1 European Grand Prix on the Valencia urban circuit.[117] However, in 2012, the circuit was closed due to the global economic crisis, which had severe consequences in Spain, and more specifically in the Valencian Community. Today, you can still see advertising advertisements on some curves and numerous walls along the route.
The Congress Palace, designed by the English architect Norman Foster, was inaugurated by the kings of Spain in 1998 and has 15,581 m², equipped with 3 auditoriums or conference rooms, 9 committee rooms and an exhibition area of 1,500 m.[128] This building is designed for holding all types of events and conventions, both national and international, especially large congresses and conferences. The 8,200 m² roof of the building stands out for the presence of photovoltaic sheets to produce electricity and is supported by pillars of glass, stone and alabaster, with an 18 m high canopy.
Since its launch in 1998 until 2023, the Congress Center has hosted more than 3,300 events with 2.4 million attendees.[129] Coming to be recognized in 2010 and 2018 as the best congress venue in the world, receiving the World's Best Convention Center, the highest award from the International Association of Conference Centers.[130].
For its part, the Valencia International Exhibition Fair (Feria Valencia) is the oldest organizing institution for fair events in Spain, since it was founded in 1917. The trade fair is located in the Valencian district of Benimámet, and was recently remodeled and expanded, by the architect José María Tomás Llavador, becoming the fair institution with the fourth largest venue in the world. Feria Valencia organizes more than a hundred competitions, fairs and events every year, which is why it is one of the most important within the European circuit.
The sectors that regularly hold fairs in this venue are agriculture, food products, furniture, tourism, training and employment, etc. In 2010, Feria Valencia counted more than one million three hundred thousand visitors from all over the world and more than twelve thousand exhibitors participated in its events (both direct and represented). Therefore, the economic impact of Feria Valencia on its surroundings is estimated between 700 and 800 million euros annually.[131].
stock market
In Spain, the first Stock Exchange to be established was that of Madrid, in 1831, and later those of Bilbao, in 1890, and Barcelona, in 1915, were created. While the Valencia Stock Exchange began its journey in 1980, when the old Stock Exchange was transformed into a Stock Exchange. The headquarters of the Valencia Stock Exchange is in the Böil de Arenós Palace, in the Ciutat Vella district "Ciutat Vella (Valencia)").[132].
In any case, the history of the Valencia Stock Exchange goes back further, since in 1863 a Stock Exchange was requested for Valencia, because at that time there were already brokers, who met in the Lonja. Although it was not until November 15, 1887 when the Bolsín de Valencia began to operate, which was located at the headquarters of the College of Trade Brokers, located at number 10 Puñalería Street.[133].
Currently, the Valencia Stock Exchange is an official secondary market, intended for the exclusive negotiation of "Action (finance)" shares and convertible securities or securities that grant acquisition or subscription rights. According to the Securities Market Law (LMV), "Official secondary securities markets are those that operate regularly, in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its implementing regulations, and, especially, with regard to the conditions of access, admission to trading, operating procedures, information and advertising."[134].
R&D&i
In 2002, the Polytechnic University of Valencia inaugurated the Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación science park "Universidad Politécnica de Valencia") (CPI),[135] which comprises a space of 140,000 m², and brings together the entire R&D&I system of the UPV, that is, 45 research institutes,[136] some 3,000 researchers, as well as some 400 support people.[136][137].
The CPI is a networked science park structured in three areas of action; the venue, in which more than 25 town councils, business associations and promoting entities from the entire province of Valencia participate; the national one, with more than 100 Spanish public and private R&D&i organizations; and the international one,[135] where CPI researchers and research centers collaborate with more than 1,000 public and private research and innovation promotion bodies from more than 60 countries. The management of the Network and the revitalization of cooperation between its actors is the responsibility of the Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación Foundation, a non-profit entity promoted by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and among whose reference patrons is the Santander Group.[135] This science park is a member of the Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE), as well as the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).[135].
Within the complex of the City of Arts and Sciences, the Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF) was also inaugurated in 2002, which has 23 laboratories distributed in three research programs: biomedicine; chemical and quantitative biology; and regenerative medicine. The managing foundation of this research center is made up of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Bancaja Foundation. This center aims to study possible solutions to diseases that affect human health, applying the most advanced technologies in order to develop new therapies or diagnostic methods.[138].
Finally, in 2009, the University of Valencia inaugurated its own science park, the Science Park of the University of Valencia (PCUV),[139] located on the Burjasot-Paterna Campus, about 8 kilometers from the city center. The managing entity of the PCUV is the Fundació Parc Científic Universitat de València, a private foundation of general interest, whose patrons are the Bancaja Foundation, the Santander Group, the Valencia Chamber of Commerce and the Valencian Business Confederation, in addition to the University of Valencia.[140] This science park has a space of more than 200,000 m² for research, innovation and knowledge transfer, uniting in one only space for university research and the R&D&I demands of the Valencian productive fabric.[141] The PCUV has two differentiated areas, on the one hand there is the scientific area, of which the research institutes are part, and on the other hand the business area, made up of a business incubator and various buildings for the installation of companies, R&D laboratories and technological platforms. It currently has 6 research institutes, unique centers and scientific services, and is home to more than 60 companies.[139] Like the CPI, the PCUV is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Parks of Spain (APTE) and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).
Administration and politics
Capitality
Since its founding, Valencia has been the capital of the taifa of Valencia, of the kingdom of Valencia, of the Second Spanish Republic and of the current Valencian Community. Due to this, in recent years work has been underway on the drafting of the Municipal Charter of Valencia,[142][143] which would have the rank of autonomous norm, and would regulate the management, organization and powers of the capital of the Community to help clarify and delimit the powers of the city council, as well as to establish the budgetary financial allocation to carry them out.[142][144].
In Valencia there are four levels of public administrations, which have different responsibilities and powers. On the one hand there is the Valencia City Council,[145] which is the body with the greatest powers and public officials in the city, since it regulates the daily life of citizens, and important issues such as urban planning, transportation, the collection of municipal taxes, the management of road safety through the local police, the maintenance of public roads (paving, cleaning...) and the gardens. It is also responsible for the construction of municipal facilities such as daycare centers, sports centers, libraries, residences for the elderly, among others.
The Provincial Council of Valencia also has its headquarters in the city, in the Batlia Palace, located in the Plaza de Manises.[146] This is the public body with the least powers in the city, despite this it is in charge of managing the interests of such emblematic establishments as the Casa de Misericordia, the Centro Cultural La Beneficencia and the Sala Parpalló,[147] the Bullfighting Museum,[148] the MuVIM[149] and the General Hospital,[150] among others.
The administration in charge of the autonomous government of the Valencian Community is the Generalidad Valenciana,[151] which has the headquarters of its institutions in Valencia, such as the Cortes Valencianas, located in the Plaza de San Lorenzo in Valencia,[152] the Palacio de la Generalidad (headquarters of the Generalidad Valenciana), located in the Plaza de Manises, or the Palacio de Fuentehermosa (headquarters of the presidency of the Generalidad), located on Calle Caballeros. The Generalitat has broad powers over the management of the city, from education, social affairs, traffic, economic policies, commerce, etc. It is also responsible for the construction of facilities such as hospitals, schools, universities, residences for the elderly, etc.
Finally, the General Administration of the State "General Administration of the State (Spain)"), which deals with issues such as security (National Police Corps and Army), Justice, the management of ports and airports, Renfe trains, and the coasts, among the most prominent powers. in the Plaza del Temple.[154].
Municipal government
Since the recovery of democracy in Spain, nine municipal elections have been held, and three political parties have governed the city, the PSOE, the PP and Compromís. From the first municipal elections, held in 1979, until 1991, the PSOE governed the city. During these years there were two mayors, Fernando Martínez Castellano (1979) and Ricard Pérez Casado (1979-1988), and one mayor, Clementina Ródenas Villena (1988-1991). While from 1991 to 2015, the PP has governed the city, with Rita Barberá Nolla being mayor. Starting with the May 2015 elections, Joan Ribó from Compromís held the mayor's office, with the support of the PSPV and València en Comú. In the May 2019 elections, Joan Ribó revalidated the mayoralty, with the support of the PSPV.[155] In the last municipal elections in Spain in 2023, the candidacy of María José Catalá (PP) was the most voted and since that same year she has been mayor of the city of Turia.
The Valencia City Council government is chosen by universal suffrage in elections held every four years. The D'Hondt system is the electoral method used in Spain to distribute the councilors of the town councils, approximately proportional to the votes obtained by the candidates.
In the 2023 municipal elections, María José Catalá, from the Popular Party of the Valencian Community, won the elections, obtaining thirteen councilors, and won the mayor's office of the city as it was the most voted list.
Consular representation
Valencia hosts a good number of "Consul (foreign service)" consulates, from those countries with which there are the greatest number of commercial relations or presence of immigrants from those countries in the area.[157][158][159].
Territorial organization
Districts and neighborhoods
The city of Valencia is divided into districts, and these into neighborhoods. The city's neighborhoods, in turn, are grouped into seven decentralized management bodies called municipal district boards. The seven together are Ciutat Vella, Russafa, Abastos, Patraix, Trànsits, Exposició and Marítim. Some of the neighborhoods and districts were independent municipalities that joined the city from the second half of the century. This is the case of Beniferri, Benimaclet, Patraix and Ruzafa that appear in the 1877 census as part of Valencia; Benimámet and Els Orriols in 1887; Borbotó, Campanar, Mahuella, Pueblo Nuevo del Mar and Villanueva del Grao in the 1897 census; and Benifaraig, Carpesa and Masarrochos, in the 1900 census.[160].
Town planning
The street plan of Valencia presents a radial structure, with several concentric axes.[162] The first concentric axis is the Interior Ring, which was developed on the site left after demolishing the old city wall. The names of the streets that make up this round are: Guillem de Castro; Jativa; Colón "Calle Colón (Valencia)"); Gate of the Sea; painter López; and Blanquerías.[163] The other concentric axes are the great roads (that of Fernando el Católico, that of Ramón y Cajal, that of the Germanías and that of the Marquis of Turia), the Tránsito ring, formed by the avenues of Pérez Galdós, César Giorgeta, Peris y Valero, Eduardo Boscá, Cardenal Benlloch, Primado Reig, Peset Aleixandre, General Avilés and Campanar, and finally, the furthest from the center are the North ring formed by the avenues of Pío Baroja, Hermanos Machado, Los Naranjos and Serrería-Menorca.[164] and the South ring formed by the avenues of 9 de Octubre, Tres Cruces and Antonio Ferrandis.[165].
The radial roads are the avenues of the Reino de Valencia, Blasco Ibáñez or de Valencia al Mar,[166] that of Puerto, Avenida del Cid "Avenida del Cid (Valencia)"), Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, Ausias March, Avenida de Francia, Avenida de Burjasot and San Vicente Mártir, Nicasio Benlloch, Padre Ferris and Centelles streets. In addition to all these streets and avenues, we must highlight other roads of vital importance for the city, such as the banks of the river. The main streets of the old town of Valencia are Calle Caballeros, Calle San Vicente, Calle Quart, Calle de la Paz "Calle de la Paz (Valencia)") and Avenida del Oeste.
The Turia has been a natural barrier that divides the city into two areas, which is why several bridges were built throughout history. Some have been destroyed by floods, such as the one in 1957, and rebuilt later. Following a west-east direction, from the Cabecera park to the port, the bridges are:[167].
The city was conceived by the Romans as a place of rest, and later the Muslims built a multitude of squares and gardens. It currently has numerous parks and garden areas (the Botanical Garden, the Parque del Oeste, the Turia Garden, with more than 6.5 km of vegetation, etc.) and nearly 90% of the roads have garden areas to a greater or lesser extent. Despite this, the city has only 5.64 m² of green surface per inhabitant, one of the lowest rates in large Spanish cities.[169] Some of the most popular parks and gardens in the city are:.
• - The Turia garden, which is located in the old bed of the river of the same name. When this river diverted from its course, its space was reused as a recreational area more than 6.5 km long. It is divided into several parts.
• - The botanical garden, administered by the University of Valencia,[170] and its international identification code as a botanical institution is VAL.
• - The Real gardens or Viveros, are located in the Pla del Real district, right on the site where the Royal Palace of Valencia was located.[171].
• - The Alameda promenade was the old access to the Royal Palace of Valencia from the sea. Today it forms a promenade of just over a kilometer between the Real bridge "Puente del Real (Valencia)") and the Aragón bridge "Puente de Aragón (Valencia)").[172] The extension of the promenade, now without a garden area, has a length of 2.5 kilometers, from the Plaza de Zaragoza to the Grao cemetery.
• - The Parterre or Plaza de Alfonso el Magnánimo was built on some existing lots in the old Plaza de la Aduana, more or less in the year 1850.[173] Since its creation, the garden has suffered very few variations, mainly highlighting the one due to the flood of 1957 which damaged this garden, thus changing its morphology somewhat.
• - The Benicalap park is located far from the historic center of the city "Ciutat Vella (Valencia)"), the land where it is located belonged to the Ministry of Agriculture, and was where the horticulture station dedicated to research and experimentation was located for many years.[174].
• - The Ayora garden, a free-plan garden with romantic touches that accompanies a modernist palace built in 1900.[175].
• - The Monforte gardens were laid out in the century in a neoclassical style by order of Juan Bautista Romero y Almenar, Marquis of San Juan, notable for the artistic and historical value of its sculptures and fountains.[176].
• - The Central Park is the work of landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, the first phase was inaugurated in 2018 in the Ruzafa neighborhood on land previously dedicated to railway services, which is planned to be eliminated to complete the park, uniting it with the district of Extramurs and Patraix.[177].
Services
Education
With regard to regulated education, the Constitution states that there is a distribution of powers in educational matters between the various entities and administrations present in the State. In this way, the General Administration of the State reserves the exclusive competence to regulate the structure of the different educational levels and the conditions for obtaining, issuing and homologating academic and professional titles, while the Ministry of Education of the Generalitat Valenciana is responsible for:[178].
• - The academic organization of early childhood education, primary education, compulsory secondary education, baccalaureate, special regime education and adult education.
• - The development of official curricula corresponding to these teachings.
• - The regulation of academic and organizational measures to address diversity.
• - The regulation and development of academic and organizational measures for the schooling, integration and inclusion of students with special educational needs, as well as students with high intellectual abilities.
• - The development of academic and organizational measures to compensate for inequalities in education.
Basic education is compulsory and free, including primary education and compulsory secondary education as basic education. This education includes ten years of schooling and extends from the ages of six to sixteen, although students have the right to continue taking these educations until the age of eighteen.
In addition to these educational centers, in Valencia there are several special educational centers. The official language school in the 2009/10 academic year had 4,064 students of English, 2,103 of French, 1,204 of German, 940 of Italian, 591 of Valencian, and 1,790 of other languages.[179] Regarding music and dance studies, the city has several conservatories: the José Iturbi municipal conservatory;[180] the professional conservatory of music;[181] the superior conservatory of music;[182] the professional conservatory of dance;[183] and the superior conservatory of dance.[184] Valencia is, in addition, the main headquarters of Musikeon, an institution active in different countries in the field of specialized musical education and that annually attracts music professionals and advanced students from many countries in Europe and Latin America to the city.
The city has two public universities, as well as several private universities. It should be noted that Valencian public universities are among the best in Spain, as established by some rankings such as that of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.[185].
The University of Valencia (UV),[186] founded in 1499 under the name Estudi General, is a public university oriented towards teaching and research in almost all areas of knowledge. It is among the four best Spanish universities, according to the most recognized accreditation systems, such as the one maintained by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This university has three main campuses (Blasco Ibáñez, Tarongers and Burjasot-Paterna), also having numerous extensions, delegations, attached centers and exemplary locations, such as the historic building of La Nau,[187] the botanical garden[170] or the Cerveró Palace.[188] It is known in Valencia as the "Literary University", to distinguish it from the University Polytechnic of Valencia, despite the fact that a very important part of the teaching and research at the University of Valencia is in "non-literary" fields.
The other public university in Valencia is the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV),[189] which was founded in 1968. This is a university in which special emphasis is given to science and technology. It has several campuses, the most important of all being the one located in the city of Valencia, the so-called Vera campus, although outside the city there are those in Alcoy and Gandía. The UPV is organized into 9 higher technical schools, 2 faculties and 2 higher polytechnic schools, which are responsible for organizing the teaching of 34 degrees, and has 41 departments and 45 research centers and institutes. In 2010 it was ranked number 336 in the ranking of the best universities in the world by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, being the 6th Spanish university and the 1st Spanish polytechnic.[185].
The Catholic University of Valencia (UCV)[190] is the private and Catholic university of Valencia. This university, named in honor of Saint Vincent the martyr, was founded by Cardinal Monsignor Agustín García-Gasco on December 8, 2003. This University is the continuation of the university work of the "Our Lady of the Helpless University School of Nursing" founded in 1953, of the "Edetania University School of Teacher Training", founded in 1969, and of the "Faculty of Studies of the Company", created in 1995. Currently the Catholic University of Valencia has 7 Faculties that frame 20 official Degree courses.
In addition to these, in Valencia there are also several university campuses and business schools associated with other educational centers outside the city.[191] The National University of Distance Education (UNED)[192] has had a headquarters in Valencia since 1997, the so-called Centro Francisco Tomás y Valiente. This center was created by the Ministerial Order of September 21, 1978, although the headquarters were located in the city of Alcira. In October 1983, the Valencia sub-headquarters came into operation, which depended on that of Alcira, and whose headquarters have been located since 1987 in the Casa de la Misericordia. Subsequently, in 1995 the center became part of the UNED Basic Network of Associated Centers project, and finally, in 2000 it was officially renamed "Alcira-Valencia Center Francisco Tomás y Valiente".
Another university based in Valencia is the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU),[193] which was founded in 1999 and inaugurated in the academic year 2000/01. This University has the headquarters of its CEU Business School in Valencia, which is located in the Colomina Palace, where its wide postgraduate offering is taught.
Since 1989, the ESIC university center[194] has had a headquarters on Blasco Ibáñez Avenue in the city. This university center currently teaches, as a center attached to the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, official degrees and an also official master's degree in the terms provided by university regulations. And finally, the European University of Valencia (UEV),[195] is another university with a presence in the city of Valencia. The UEV is a center authorized by the Department of Education of the Generalitat Valenciana[196] dated January 27, 2010, although it is present in Valencia through the Valencia and Estema Business School Attached Center since September 2008.
Health
Public health in Valencia is managed mainly by regional powers through the Health Department of the Generalitat Valenciana.[197] The city within the health map of the Valencian Community, belongs to the public health center of Valencia, which controls the following health departments:[197][198].
In 2010, Valencia had a total of 28 primary care health centers and 14 offices, in which a total of 534 doctors and 124 pediatricians worked, in addition to another 698 health sector workers, such as nurses and assistants. While the total number of specialty centers was 4, in which a total of 258 doctors and pediatricians, and 233 nurses and assistants worked. It should also be noted that in 2010 the city of Valencia had a total of 7 public hospital centers (from the Valencian Health Agency), in which there were a total of 3,371 functional beds, 112 operating rooms, 3,130 medical health workers and 6,962 workers from other health activities.[179] In addition to these public hospitals, there are also 7 other private hospital centers in the city. Thus, the existing hospitals in the city of Valencia are:
Citizen security
There are two administrations in charge of citizen security: on the one hand there is the Valencia City Council, on which the municipal fire department of the Valencia City Council[199] and the local police of Valencia depend;[200] and on the other hand there is the Ministry of the Interior on which the civil guard "Guardia Civil (Spain)"), the national police "Cuerpo Nacional de Police (Spain)"),[201] and the regional police depend, although in the management of this police body The Valencian Generalitat also intervenes, in part.[202].
The local Police Force of Valencia has its origins in the Surveillance Corps created in the 1820s, which remained until 1870,[203] when the city council decided to establish a service more in line with the needs of a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants, for which the municipal guard corps was created, with a staff of one hundred officials, ten inspectors and a chief. In 1901 the first regulations of the municipal guard were drawn up, and the mounted section was created. In 1927, due to the growth of the city and the increase in the activities assigned to the corps, its staff was expanded, the corps' troops were distributed by districts, and the following year the circulation section was established.[203].
The local Police Headquarters of Valencia (located on Avenida del Cid "Avenida del Cid (Valencia)") number 37) has modern facilities in line with the needs that the city's local Police Force is facing in these times.[200] The staff of the local Police of Valencia reaches 1,900 personnel,[204] divided into several departments:[205] neighborhood police; district units; traffic units; Goe units; beaches unit; accident reports and investigation section; cavalry section; special section X-4; green patrol and molí del sol police unit; and Gama group.
The fire service in the city of Valencia dates back to 1755, when the City Council made a publication to extinguish fires. This publication detailed where the city's first fire station was located and how the "Machina Hydraulica" should be used.[206] The Valencia Sapper Firefighters Section was created by the Mutua Contra Incendios of Valencia, with the intention of protecting the intramural properties of the mutualists, although shortly after the area of action was expanded to the extramural houses. But it was not until 1857 when the City Council began to take charge of the Fire Department.[207].
Currently, the municipal fire department of the Valencia city council divides the city into six work zones (Campanar, North, West, South, Marítimo and Saler),[199] and has seven fire stations: the central fire station - general services; the Campanar fire station; the Devesa fire station; the Marítimo fire station; the northern zone fire station; the West zone fire station; and the fire station in the South zone.[199].
Communications
Article 7 of the Law on Traffic, Circulation and Road Safety approved by RDL 339/1990 attributes to the municipalities sufficient powers to allow, among others, the immobilization of vehicles, the organization and control of traffic and the regulation of its uses.[208] In Valencia these issues are regulated by a municipal ordinance on circulation, which was approved according to a plenary agreement on May 28, 2010.[209] Regarding the city's vehicle fleet, in 2010 it was made up of 495,022 vehicles:[210] 370,357 passenger cars; 50,610 motorcycles; 29,684 mopeds; 29,573 trucks; 7964 tractors; 5887 trailers; and 947 buses.[210].
The main highways in Valencia have a radial route, such as the V-21, the V-31, the A-3, the V-15/CV-500, the CV-35 or the CV-36. But Valencia also has a series of ring roads around it, these are the By-pass, the V-30, which connects the A-7 with the city's port, or the CV-30, which borders the northern area of the city.
The Valencia metro network is the third metro network to be built in Spain, after those of Madrid and Barcelona, the second in number of kilometers, after Madrid, and the fourth in number of users, after Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, although it is the means of transport in the city that has been increasing the number of passengers the most in recent years.
The current Railway network of the Generalitat Valenciana in Valencia is heir to the old interurban railway network of Valencia, popularly known as the Valencia Train, which linked the capital with nearby towns. This narrow gauge network had been built for the most part during the end of the century, and was successively managed by the Sociedad Valenciana de Tranvías,[211] later by Compañía de Tranvías y Ferrocarriles de Valencia[212] and finally by Ferrocarriles Españoles de Vía Estrecha.
The modernization of the old network, during the 1980s,[213] and its expansion and conversion into a modern metropolitan railway, have given rise to the Metrovalencia network which, after the changes in the numbering of the lines in 2015, has six metro lines and three surface tram lines:[214][215].
Valencia has a network of urban and suburban buses. The Municipal Transport Company[216] is in charge of the entire city, reaching every corner of the capital, it has a service from 3:00 in the morning on some of its lines, until 11:00 p.m. After that, the night service begins and ends around 2:00 except for Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of holidays, which lasts until 3:30.
In the summer period, between June 1 and August 31, the route of line 2 is modified and lines 20 and 23 are added to the existing network for the rest of the year, in order to connect all areas of the city with the beaches. In addition to these lines, a series of special lines are also usually activated, which operate during certain periods, such as November 1st for All Saints' Day. On the contrary, during the Fallas week, most lines are forced to modify their itinerary.[217].
Heritage
Monuments and religious buildings
The cathedral of Valencia is dedicated by the wish of James I, following the tradition of the century, to Saint Mary, being consecrated in the year 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the reconquest, Fray Andrés de Albalat. It is located on the old Balansiya mosque, which in turn had risen on the old Visigoth cathedral.[241] The predominant construction style of this cathedral is Valencian or Mediterranean Gothic, although it also contains elements of Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.
It contains some of the first and best paintings of the quattrocento in the entire Iberian Peninsula, which arrived from Rome through artists hired by Alexander VI. This last Valencian pope, when he was still Cardinal Rodrigo de Borja, made the request to elevate the Valencian see to the rank of Metropolitan, a category that was granted to it by Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. Inside the Holy Chalice, dated from the 17th century, and given to the cathedral by King Alfonso the Magnanimous in 1436, is venerated.
Its bell tower is known as El Miguelete (in Valencian El Micalet). The construction of the tower began in 1381 and ended in 1429. Due to its complexity, it was directed by several master builders, the first being Andrés Juliá, from 1381, and the following, among others, José Franch (1396), Pedro Balaguer (1414, builder of the Serranos Towers) to Martín Llobet (1425), the last of the architects who took part in the construction. Later the belfry "Espadaña (architecture)") was built (1660-1736).
During the century, numerous baroque constructions were built in Valencia, most of them religious, and old Gothic buildings were transformed both inside and out. by Juan Gómez de Mora, Senior Master of the king.[243].
At the beginning of the century, the possibility of making a majestic expansion of the basilica was raised. For this reason, the prelate called an ideas contest in 1932, which Vicente Traver won. According to his project, the new building would have the highest dome in the city, and would be one of the largest in Europe. But during the civil war the basilica burned and the work was not carried out. Decades later the idea was taken up again, but when work began at the back of the basilica, now Plaza de la Almoina, Roman, Visigothic and Arab ruins were discovered, so the project was definitively paralyzed.
From the central Caballeros street "Calle Caballeros (Valencia)") you can access the parish-museum of San Nicolás,[244] known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel since the restoration of the temple was completed in 2016, which currently allows us to contemplate the 1900 m of baroque frescoes in its Gothic vault.
Located where there was once a Roman temple and a mosque, in the century the Dominican order dedicated this parish to San Nicolás de Bari, to which the first Dominican martyr, San Pedro Martir, would later join. In the century one of its rectors was Alfonso de Borja, future Pope Calixto III, and its administrator was the illustrious doctor and writer Jaume Roig. In the century its interior is covered with baroque decoration such as the frescoes by Dionís Vidal designed by his teacher Antonio Palomino, where they show scenes from the life of the two titular saints of the parish accompanied by multiple allegories and angelic choirs.
The faithful periodically come to this parish every Monday to ask for the intercession of Saint Nicholas and Saint Jude Thaddeus in their particular needs, and the large number of "Vela (illumination)" candles that were lit there obscured the paintings until it became impossible to contemplate them.
The Hortensia Herrero Foundation financed the complete restoration of the temple and made it possible to once again see the frescoes that Gianluigi Colalucci baptized as Valencian Sistine Chapel. In 2019 it was also declared a museum by the Valencian Generalitat and can be visited by both faithful and visitors during established hours.[244].
The temple dedicated to Santa Catalina Mártir "Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Valencia)"), located in the Plaza Virgen de la Paz, was built on a previous mosque and in 1245 it had already acquired the rank of parish. It consists of a single nave, with lateral buttresses between which the chapels were placed. It is the only Gothic church in the city with an ambulatory at the head, like the cathedral.[245].
In the century the building was covered with classicist decoration in Renaissance style and, after a terrifying fire in 1548, partially rebuilt. In 1785, following the prevailing fashion, it was given a baroque appearance. In the 1950s, repristination works were carried out to return it to its original Gothic appearance, for which the walls were stripped of all baroque and neoclassical ornament.
The bell tower was built between 1688 and 1705 by Juan Bautista Viñes, whose name appears engraved on a commemorative tombstone that we can see at its base. A masterpiece of Valencian baroque, it has a hexagonal floor plan, and its elevation is divided into four floors separated by moldings, plus the body of bells and the upper finish.[246].
The primitive church of the Santos Juanes "Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Valencia)") was built in the suburb of the city known as Boatella, where an old mosque was located. The old hermitage was built before 1240 on top of the mosque. It was located outside the walls of the Arab city, near the gates of Bab al-Qaysariya and La Culebra, when the Christian wall was built it was already included within Valencia.[247].
Of its old Gothic structure, the nave and the large blinded oculus remain, known as "the O of Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rose window on one of the facades. In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction over the centuries. The wide façade of the market stands out for its unusualness, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the market, forming a unique urban complex. It is presided over by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, a stucco work by Jacopo Bertesi"), and above it rises the clock tower, flanked by the two Saint Johns and crowned by the famous Saint John's bird, the weather vane which, according to tradition, children were made to look at when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace are the caves of Saint John, semi-basements in what was once They located junkyards and secondhand stores. In the newly built temple, Saint Vincent Ferrer preached and there he offered his first sermon on the day of Saint John the Baptist.
The interior of the temple is filled with an overflowing baroque imagination, with statues by Bertesi representing characters from the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes executed by Antonio Palomino in the vault. This temple was declared BIC (asset of cultural interest) by the Decree in the BOE of February 26, 1947.[248].
On July 19, 1936, during the civil war, it was burned to the ground and its effects still linger. The paintings are in a pitiful state, as they were burned or blackened by the smoke of the fires, although work has been going on to recover them for decades.[249].
The church of San Juan del Hospital was the first church built in Valencia, after the cathedral, as a priory "Priory (religion)") of the knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Its foundation is due to the concession, made by King James I at the time of the conquest of Valencia to the San Juan knight Hugo de Folcalquier, lieutenant of the Master of his order in the Crown of Aragon, of some land next to the Xerea gate, to establish this priory seat there. Several buildings were built here: a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist; the hospital corresponding to the specific care work of this military order, which received the name "of Jerusalem, of the Hospital, of Rhodes and of Malta"; a convent; and its own cemetery for the hospital's deceased gentlemen. Everything was built between the years 1238 and 1261, with the convent completely completed before 1316.[248].
The church is preceded by a patio decorated with ceramic paintings of the Via Crucis, where these architectural remains and loose elements of the buildings that made up the foundation are preserved.[248] The real church occupies an area of 36 m long by 19 m wide, and is composed of a pointed vault with stone inserts on thick fascias that rest on corbels, and a five-sided polygonal head roofed with cross, where the presbytery is located. This was built at the end of the century and is illuminated by slanted lancet style windows; the central one is wider, with tracery and decorated with attached columns. On the stone ribs "Nerve (architecture)"), the vaults are made of charcoal brick and on their extreme walls, two tall chapels that pierce the walls with pointed archivolts and develop between the buttresses are a later work, from the 19th century.[250].
The side chapels are mostly in the form of large arcosolia that open to the nave by Cistercian ogives on attached columns, protected by a molded alfiz.[250] Their stone vaults must have been painted with frescoes that are only partially preserved, awaiting restoration, in the first part of the gospel. The last two on this side are wider and have diagonal "ribbed" roofs. In the front there are two sections of a loggia with a ribbed vault that opens at the foot of the nave.[248].
This monastery is an important work of the Valencian Renaissance that according to some authors can be considered a precedent of the monastery of El Escorial, being like this a Hieronymite monastery, a cultural focus and a church commemorating the memory of its founder. The first stone was laid in 1548 by the bishop and Ferdinand of Aragon, Duke of Calabria. The construction of the monastery continued throughout the century, with the monastery church beginning in 1601.[251].
In 1821, the confiscation of the liberal triennium suppressed the Hieronymite community. The building, according to the Royal Order of July 2, 1821, was enabled as a House of Charity and Correction. In 1823 the friars returned and carried out some minor works. In 1835 the final exclaustration took place, passing the monastery and its properties into the hands of the State. After the confiscation, the works of art and books that remained after having been looted in the War of Independence, were transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia and a good part of the books, among which are those from the valuable library of the Duke of Calabria, were destined for the University Library.
After being used as a prison, school or warehouse, between 1997 and 2000, rehabilitation works were carried out on the complex for its use as the headquarters of the Valencian Library.
These crosses, which in the Crown of Aragon used to be called peirones and in other places humiliados, were located on the roads to mark the limits of the city.[252] The Valencia City Council owns all the crosses located within its municipal area, as well as some crosses that are outside it, such as the covered cross on the road to Barcelona, located in Almácera, and the covered cross of Mislata.
The covered cross of the Camino Real de Játiva is located on the old Camino Real de Játiva, current San Vicente street. It is a Gothic work carried out in the year 1376 (century) by an unknown author. Between the years 1432 and 1435 (century) the master builder Juan del Poyo and the carver Johan Llobet renovated the cross on behalf of the Murs e Valls Factory, and in the century the temple was restored again and in 1898 (century) José Aixá carried out a complete reconstruction of the work. Another cross is that of the camí del Mar, currently located in a small garden on Avenida del Puerto, which was originally a Gothic cross, although the stone cross has disappeared and has been replaced by an iron one. What is preserved is the pedestal and the images that adorn it, although in quite poor condition. Between 1423 and 1424 Martí Llobet worked there and in 1428 his son Joan Llobet.
Other crosses are the Pinedo "Pinedo (Valencia)"), which is a modern reproduction of the original cross made in 1995 by the Valencian sculptor Jesús Castelló, the cross of the terminus of Avenida de Cataluña, inaugurated on May 3, 1965 and located at the exit of Valencia on the old Barcelona highway, the cross of the terminus of the Pista de Silla, made by the sculptor Antonio Sacramento in 1965 and the cross of the terminus from the avenue of the Cortes Valencianas.
Monuments and civil buildings
The Lonja de la Seda building is a masterpiece of Valencian civil Gothic located in the historic center of the city. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996,[253] it is located in Plaza del Mercado, number 31, in front of the church of the Santos Juanes "Iglesia de los Santos Juanes (Valencia)") and the Central Market of Valencia.
The Lonja was built between the years 1482 and 1548, and its first builder was Pere Compte between the years 1483 and 1498 on the model of the Lonja of Palma de Mallorca, becoming an emblematic building of the wealth of the Valencian golden age (century) and an example of the commercial revolution during the Late Middle Ages, of the social development and the prestige achieved by the bourgeoisie. Valencian.[254] In the upper part of the other side of the patio there is a craft shop that covers the Consulate of the Sea. On Sundays there is a market for stamp and coin collectors, and perhaps this is the only activity that still has some relationship with the original function of the building.
Another Gothic-Renaissance style building is the Benicarló Palace, current headquarters of the Valencian Cortes. This building is an aristocratic mansion, which was built in the century as the residence of the Borja family in the capital of the ancient kingdom of Valencia. Between the years 1485 and 1520, adaptation activities were carried out on several pre-existing buildings, as well as the construction of the stone staircase in the courtyard by Pere Compte. The care of the work and its transformations aimed at greater habitability was delegated to the most prominent architects and artists active in the capital. In short, its analysis allows us to understand its future between grandiose aspirations and iniquitous oblivion.[255].
The Palace of the Generalidad Valenciana is also a late Gothic building with Renaissance interventions dating back to the 19th century. The construction of the Palace began in 1421, being expanded in the century with a large tower by the architect Montano. In 1831 the territorial court was established, which in 1922 became the Provincial Council. From 1947 to 1951 a restoration was carried out.[256].
The Serranos Towers are one of the twelve gates that guarded the old wall of the city of Valencia. Their name seems to come from the fact that they are located approximately northwest of the old town and, therefore, they were the natural entrance that connected with the roads that went to Los Serranos.[257] The Valencia juries entrusted their construction to master Pere Balaguer, who was inspired by other Gothic doors in Catalonia, such as the Royal Door of the Monastery of Poblet, which was inspired by the Genoese architectural style. Work began on April 6, 1392 on the grounds of the previous portico, and in March 1398 the work was completed.
The Torres de Quart, a pair of twin towers, were also part of the medieval wall that surrounded the old town of Valencia, whose function was to defend the city. These towers are located at the intersection of Guillén de Castro street and Quart street.[258] The Quart Towers were built by Francesc Baldomar and Pere Compte in the 19th century, between the years 1441 and 1460. Tomás Oller and Jaume Pérez also participated in the works. The style of the towers is late military Gothic, imitating the Towers or Arc of Triumph of the Castell Nuevo in Naples.
Culture
Valencia ha sido durante siglos fuente y refugio cultural. Ha sido, por ejemplo, el segundo centro de producción y difusión de tebeos en España, tras Barcelona y por delante de Madrid,[271] gracias a editoriales como Valenciana y Maga, que permitieron el florecimiento de la denominada Escuela Valenciana de historieta.[272] Actualmente las manifestaciones culturales son muy abundantes, lo cual está relacionado con la esencia de la ciudad mediterránea, ya que muchas de estos actos se suelen dar en espacios abiertos, apoyados y promocionados tanto por organismos oficiales como por privados.
Museums, archives and libraries
The city of Valencia, rich in monuments and architectural spaces of great interest, has more than fifty museums and exhibition halls, many of which were created thanks to the contribution of individuals through donations and private collections.
The most important plastic arts museums in the city are the San Pío V Museum of Fine Arts and the IVAM (Institut Valencià d'Art Modern), which are spaces where permanent collections, temporary exhibitions can be seen and where different activities are developed designed for all citizens and visitors who come to the city. They are managed by various public administrations, corporations and private associations.
The González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts, located in the former palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, an imposing baroque building, contains the most complete collection of ceramic objects in Spain, and one of the most important in Europe.
There are also several historical museums, such as the House of the Rocks, which was built in the century to serve as a museum, the Museum of History of Valencia, inaugurated on May 7, 2003 in a building that was originally the first water tank in Valencia, which was built by Ildefonso Cerdá and Leodegario Marchessaux based on an original design by Calixto Santa Cruz, or the Almoina museum, which was inaugurated on December 20, 2007, in the basement of the homonymous square, where numerous archaeological remains dated from the different civilizations that have inhabited the city are displayed, that is, Roman, Visigoth and Islamic remains.
The paleontological museum's collections are also historic. Exhibited since 1908 in the Almudín museum and currently in the Museum of Natural Sciences, located in the Viveros gardens, where you can see unique geological and paleontological pieces, the museum of natural sciences, the bullfighting museum (next to the bullring), the rice museum or the fallero museum (mainly during fallero hours).
Others are dedicated to illustrious Valencians, such as the famous writer Blasco Ibáñez in his house museum, located in his old chalet on Malvarrosa beach, or the Benlliure house museum, on Blanquerías street, and the most recent of all, the Concha Piquer house museum, on Ruaya street.
Avant-garde art finds its oldest space in the Sala Parpalló,[273] dependent on the Provincial Council of Valencia, which was founded in 1980, being a pioneer in serving contemporary art. The benchmark of modernity is the City of Arts and Sciences, since it brings together several disciplines of art and culture in the same space, including several museums, aquariums, exhibition halls, projection rooms and recreational spaces, both open and in equipped facilities.
In Valencia there are also 39 municipal libraries,[274] with more than 300,000 volumes, among which the Valencia Public Library and the Valencian Library stand out, whose headquarters are located in San Miguel de los Reyes. In addition to this, in the capital of the Turia there is the Archive of the kingdom of Valencia, which contains six centuries of the history of Valencia, first as a kingdom and currently as an autonomous community, which is managed by the Generalitat Valenciana, although the state retains ownership of the documentary collections and the building, and the Municipal Historical Archive of Valencia, which is located in the Cervelló Palace,[275] and contains the documentary collections of the city.
performing arts
In Valencia there is a public network of theaters,[276] which includes the Principal "Teatro Principal (Valencia)"), the Rialto "Teatro Rialto (Valencia)"), the Talía "Teatro Talía (Valencia)") and the Sala Moratín, although there are also other private theaters, such as the Olympia "Teatro Olympia (Valencia)"). In addition, a wide variety of events related to the world of interpretation and the performing arts are held in Valencia. One of these events is the Valencia International Film Festival-Cinema Jove,[277] a festival promoted by the Ministry of Culture since 1995, and whose purpose is to be a platform for young filmmakers.[278] Cinema Jove is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF), and is a member of the European Coordination of Film Festivals.[279].
The Tirant Avant Festival,[280] is the festival of audiovisuals and new technologies. It is organized every year by the Audiovisual Information, Training and Promotion Agency, with the support of Tatzen Gestión y Produccion Audiovisual, Feets Gesció de Projectes, and Metadissenyvoluntady. This festival is the fruit of the spirit and experience of the eleven editions of the TIRANT AWARDS in the Valencian Audiovisual Industry and its goal is to create a bridge between traditional production and new formats.
Although the most important international film festival in the city was the Mostra de València, a benchmark for cinema from the Mediterranean area. From 1980 to 2011 the Mostra was held uninterruptedly every year, until the 31st edition, when the City Council decided to stop organizing it.[281] The various prizes awarded in the official section represented a palm tree, in addition to including the name of the winners on the particular walk of fame of Valencia, which was inaugurated in the XXV edition of the Mostra de València on the city's seafront promenade.
In 2003, another event of this type also began to be held, the València Escena Oberta (VEO),[282] which was intended to promote and bring the performing arts increasingly closer to the citizen, as well as support and promote students in the sector. The events included in this contest took place throughout the city (streets, subway stations, old factories, theaters, etc.). The VEO was under the direction of the actor and politician Toni Cantó, until 2006,[283] when he was succeeded by the journalist Mariví Martín, who remained in office until 2011,[284] at which time the contest was suspended as a measure to combat the municipal deficit.[285].
The Valencian apitxat
In Valencia, in addition to speaking Spanish (the official language of Spain), Valencian is spoken, which is the own and co-official language of the entire Valencian Community, and therefore also of the city, according to the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community. The institution that regulates Valencian is the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua (AVL), which rules that Valencian is the name that the Valencian People give to the language known internationally and academically as Catalan.[286].
The characteristic Valencian of this city is apitxat, a dialect of the metropolitan area of Valencia.[287] Despite being greatly influenced by Castilian, Apitxat retains certain ancient characteristics that have been lost in the rest of the Valencian dialects. Its main features are:
• - The devoicing of the alveolar and palatal sounds, as in casa, tretze and metge ['kasa, 'tretse, 'metxe] (house, thirteen and doctor, respectively).
• - The one that preserves archaic forms of the plural, which maintain the original Latin n, as in hòmens [homes] (men) or jóvens [young people] (young people).
• - One who has a certain tendency to diphthongize the unstressed initial o (when it becomes a syllable) with au: aulor [odor] (smell), aufegar [ofegar] (drown), aubrir [obrir] (open).
Music
Music in its multiple forms and manifestations is one of the most cultivated arts in the Valencian Community and in the city of Valencia. As the Valencian music law states (Law 2/1998), this "is part of its culture and is one of the arts that most identifies it as a people."[288] Music bands are something fundamental for the capital of Turia, since they are one of the main identity elements of Valencian music. Every July, since 1886, the City of Valencia International Music Band Competition has been held, in which more than 2,000 musicians parade through the stages of the Music Palace and the Bullring "Plaza de Toros (Valencia)").
Another musical event in the city of Valencia is the MTV winter, which is a music concert sponsored by the music television par excellence, MTV. Every year, since 2008, every winter a free macro-concert is held on the esplanade of the City of Arts and Sciences, in which groups such as The Cure,[290] in 2008, Franz Ferdinand,[291] in 2009, Arctic Monkeys,[292] in 2010,[293] or My Chemical Romance and Sum have participated. 41,[294] in 2011.
In addition to this, it is important to highlight that Valencia is the headquarters of two professional orchestras: the Valencia Orchestra and the Valencian Community Orchestra. Both have their headquarters in two first-rate buildings located in the old bed of the Turia River. The first of these buildings is the Palacio de la Música,[295] headquarters of the Valencia orchestra. Since its inauguration, on April 25, 1987, it has established itself as one of the most important musical centers in Spain as a whole. The building has several rooms for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, shows and film screenings among other activities. The acoustics of the Palace, and especially that of its José Iturbi room, have been praised by many of the musicians who have performed there. The main international soloists have performed there and some unrepeatable events have taken place: among them, what was the last concert directed by what many consider the greatest orchestra conductor in history, Carlos Kleiber, and the concert for 20 pianos that in 2011 jointly celebrated the 20th anniversary of two reference institutions for Valencian music, Clemente Pianos and the Musikeon courses.
The other building is the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts,[296] the Valencia opera house and headquarters of the Valencian Community orchestra. It is the work of Santiago Calatrava and is part of the architectural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. It was inaugurated on October 8, 2005 by Queen Sofia,[297] although the first opera was not performed until October 25, 2006, for which the opera Fidelio by Beethoven was chosen.
International events
Throughout its history, Valencia has hosted several cultural, religious or scientific events. One of the first cultural events held in the city was the Regional Exhibition of 1909,[298] a commercial and industrial exhibition organized by the Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia and promoted by its president Tomás Trénor, which took place in the city between May 22 and December 22 of 1909.[299] The entire exhibition occupied an area of 16 hectares, in the form of a fairground with pavilions. and buildings around the current urban framework of Alameda. The opening ceremony of the Exhibition took place on May 23, 1909 by King Alfonso
The city also hosted annually, until 2014,[300] the Valencia Fashion Week, that is, the fashion week of Valencia,[301] which replaced the Pasarela del Carmen. This fashion competition has been held twice a year since 2006, once to present the autumn-winter season and another for the spring-summer season. In recent editions, the venue where it was held was the Agora of the City of Arts and Sciences.[302].
Every year another major cultural event was also held, the Campus Party,[303] which was held in Valencia from 2005 to 2011.[304] This event was recognized as the largest online technology, creativity, leisure and digital culture event in the world. This event was an annual meeting held since 1997 that brought together thousands of participants with their computers from all over Spain and other nations for seven days, in order to share concerns, exchange experiences and carry out all types of activities related to computers, communications and new technologies.
It should be noted that in recent years, the city has hosted several scientific events of great international importance, such as the 27th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climate Change (IPCC),[305] held between November 12 and 17, 2007, at the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. This meeting brought together 450 delegates from more than 130 countries who attempted to approve the conclusions of the Fourth Assessment Report (known as AR4).
The 57th International Astronautics Congress (IAC 2006) was also held in the city,[306] since during the congress held in Bremen in October 2003, Professor Víctor Reglero, member of the International Academy of Astronautics, representing the Generalidad Valenciana, the Valencia City Council, the University of Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia and SENER, presented Valencia's candidacy to be host of the 57th International Astronautical Congress. Finally, this event was held in Valencia on the days between October 2 and 6, 2006, with the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum as its headquarters.
Valencia has been the venue for several religious events, among which the V World Meeting of Families stands out,[307] which was held in Valencia from July 1 to 9, 2006,[308] as decided by John Paul II and later ratified by his successor (Benedict XVI). This meeting, in which the Pope actively participated, was made up of numerous events, meetings and conferences around the concept and content of the Christian family. Some of these activities were suspended due to a tragic subway accident, which occurred days before the Pope's arrival; For this reason, Benedict XVI decided to change part of his programming to hold an act of tribute to the victims at the station where the tragedy occurred.
Traditions and popular culture
In the city of Valencia there are many and varied festivals,[312] some known throughout the world and others unknown even by some residents of the city, but no less important or significant for that reason. Of all of them, some can be highlighted, both because they have been declared festivals of tourist interest[313] or because of the importance of these festivities for the city as a whole.
From March 15 to March 19 the days and nights in Valencia are a continuous party, but from March 1 the popular mascletás are fired every day at 2 p.m. The Fallas are a festival with a deep-rooted tradition in the city of Valencia and different towns in the Valencian Community,[312] which has become a very important tourist attraction for both the city and the group of towns where they are celebrated. Its origins are really simple, since originally on the night of San José a simple burning of waste from the carpentry workshops was carried out, but the inventiveness of the Valencian people has brought together all the features of its culture and history, although it is worth highlighting the satirical nature of the Fallas monuments on current issues.
Holy Marinera Week[314] is called "marinera" because it is celebrated in the district of Poblados Marítimos, specifically in the neighborhoods of Grao "Grao (Valencia)"), Cabañal and Cañamelar.[315] Currently, Holy Week Marinera has 32 brotherhoods, brotherhoods and corporations, of which five hold the title of Royal.
Holy Week is extended with the festival in honor of Saint Vincent Ferrer "Fiestas de San Vicente Ferrer (Valencia)"),[316] patron saint of the Community canonized by Calixto III from Setaba. This day it is customary to visit the saint's birthplace (currently a chapel), where «El Pouet de Sant Vicent» is located, from which children are given a drink «so that they speak quickly, do not suffer from tonsillitis, do not swear falsely or be blasphemers».[317]
Within the festival, groups of children represent, always in the Valencian language (the one that the Saint always spoke), prodigious events attributed to the Dominican saint, the so-called miracles. The representations take place in the thirteen altars that are built in the different neighborhoods of the city, which are always presided over by the image of the patron saint.[317].
On the second Sunday of May, the city of Valencia celebrates the festival of the Virgen de los Desamparados, popularly known as "la Geperudeta", an affectionate allusion to the slightly bent posture of one of the images of this invocation of the Virgin.[318] This festival has the most anticipated moments of a particularly emotional day, in which thousands and thousands of Valencians turn out to pay tribute to their patron saint.
On the eve of the festival, several events are held in the Plaza de la Virgen, such as the or the (traditional dances), and finally, among the events that are celebrated during the day, the mass, the mass, the transfer of the Virgin (a mass event where Valencians play and shout salutes to the patron saint) and the general procession stand out.
Gastronomy
In the city's traditional gastronomy, the famous Mediterranean diet, the use of rice,[332] olive oil, garden vegetables and fish and seafood from the Mediterranean coast have special weight.
The most international dish in Valencia is paella (name of the container where it is cooked), which was originally a humble dish cooked by the inhabitants of the Albufera marsh. This plan is based on rice, although it is complemented with local products, mainly chicken, rabbit, duck, snails, legumes and fresh vegetables. Over time, several variants of paella have appeared, such as the one made with seafood, the one that only contains vegetables, or the one that replaces rice with noodles, the so-called fideuá. All types of paellas and fideuás are usually seasoned with lemon and not with aioli, as is usually done in other typical fish rice (rice a banda or black rice "Black rice (Spanish cuisine)")).
Another dish whose base is rice is baked rice, made in a clay pot and in the oven, and whose main ingredients are tomato, chickpeas, paprika, various types of sausage, potatoes, bacon and pork ribs. This dish, despite not being well known outside of the Valencian Community, is one of the most traditional and popular in the area.
Finally, the rest of the dishes made with rice are arroz a banda with fish base; or black rice "Black rice (Spanish cuisine)"), a variant of the previous one, to which squid ink is added to achieve its typical black color; rice with chard, which in addition to rice and chard includes white beans, potatoes, dried cod and snails; or rice with beans and turnips,[333] a soupy rice more suitable for the winter season.
All i pebre is a typical Valencian sauce used to cook fish. The most famous variant of this dish is the one that uses eels in its preparation, which has achieved total supremacy over the rest, so currently the usual thing is to refer to it by the name all i pebre, all i pebre made of eels.
In Valencia there is also a great tradition in cakes and sweets, with sponge cakes and cakes standing out for their variety, such as coca de llanda, coca de sachí, coca cristina, coca with raisins and nuts, mona de Pascua or panquemado, although the variety of sweets also includes fartones, buñuelos, marzipan, peladillas or rosquilletas, among many others. The main ingredients are almost always almonds, sugar and honey, because many of the sweets that are part of the Valencian gastronomic culture are of Andalusian origin.
As far as drinks are concerned, it should be noted that horchata de chufa (prepared with water, sugar and tiger nuts) is the traditional drink par excellence of Valencia. Another typical drink is the mistela de muscatel, a sweet liquor wine with a high alcohol content (Vol. 15%), which is made by adding wine alcohol or brandy to the must to interrupt the fermentation.[334] Also notable is the cocktail originally from the city known as Agua de Valencia, whose fundamental ingredients are cava, triple sec liqueur and orange juice.[335][336][337].
Sports
On April 10, 1981, the Valencia City Council created the autonomous organization Fundación Deportiva Municipal de Valencia, which is a public law entity of an institutional nature. This body is in charge of managing all municipal sports facilities, among which the Palau Velódrom Lluís Puig stands out,[338] the Turia athletics stadium, the Municipal Pelota Valenciana Center of Masarrochos,[339] the Fuente de San Luis Pavilion,[340] the sports centers of Orriols, Torrefiel, Abastos and de la Petxina, and the different swimming pools, soccer fields and sports centers from each neighborhood.
The Valencia City Council is the owner of another top-level sports venue, the Trinquete de Pelayo, known as the Cathedral of the Escala i corda for being the most renowned "Trinquete (Valencian ball)") in the Community, since it is in this trinquete where the finals of the main competitions, such as the Circuit Bancaixa, are usually played.[341].
In addition to the public municipal facilities, Valencia has two football stadiums, the Mestalla stadium and the Ciudad de Valencia stadium, a golf course, as well as a couple of marinas: on one side is the yacht club port, located to the south of the commercial port; and on the other hand is the Valencia Marina (known during the America's Cups of sailing as Port America's Cup), located in the inner dock of the port of Valencia.
Valencia CF was founded on March 18, 1919, and currently plays in the first division of Spain, playing its home matches at the Mestalla stadium, whose capacity is 48,000 spectators. In the historical LaLiga classification, Valencia CF occupies fifth place, behind Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club. It is the fifth Spanish club with the most national titles (14 national championships), and the third with the most international titles behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (5 titles in UEFA competitions at club level).[342] Valencia CF is also the third Spanish club with the largest budget, after Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona, with more than 100 million euros.[343] According to a survey carried out by the CIS in May 2007, Valencia CF is the third football club in percentage in terms of supporters in Spain (5.3%), behind Real Madrid CF (32.8%) and FC Barcelona (25.7%), and ahead of Athletic Club (5.1%), Atlético de Madrid (4.3%) and Real Betis Balompié (3.3%),[344] so it has more than 800 supporters clubs.[345].
The city also has another team in Spain's first division, Levante Unión Deportiva. In 1909 the Real Gimnático Club de Fútbol and the Fútbol Club Levante were founded, coinciding with the founding of the Valencian Football Federation. Both merged in 1939 under the name Unión Deportiva Levante-Gimnástica, finally becoming Levante UD in 1941.[346] In the 1960s, the Ciudad de Valencia stadium was built with a capacity for 26,354 spectators, a new stadium of 40,000 square meters in the Orriols neighborhood, behind San Miguel de los Reyes. The stadium was inaugurated, under the presidency of Antonio Román, on September 9, 1969, with a friendly match against Valencia CF.
Twin cities
The city of Valencia has several quality interconnections with some cities around the world, through these official collaborations from different automotive sectors it also has a long tradition in the city, since the Valencia Community is a pioneer in this sport and 2nd in number of licenses at the national level (Spain has specific projects to increase and benefit the Valencian presence abroad, and enhance the image of the city and its development).
Almost all the twinning that the city of Valencia has carried out were basically done between the years 1978 to 1984. During these years, the necessary actions were taken to achieve twinning with the following cities:[370].
In addition, Valencia signed twinning protocols with the following cities that were not formalized:[371].
• - Lugano.
• -Dallas.
• - Stuttgart.
• - Portal:Spain. Content related to Spain.
• - Portal:Valencian Community. Content related to Valencian Community.
• - Valencia metropolitan area.
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category about Valencia.
• - Wiktionary has definitions and other information about Valencia.
• - Wikiquote hosts famous phrases from or about Valencia.
• - Wikinews has news related to Valencia.
• - Wikiviajes hosts travel guides for Valencia "voy:Valencia (city)").
• - Valencia City Council.
References
[1] ↑ Los datos de 1787 provienen del censo de Floridablanca citados por Bernat i Martí y Badenes Martín en Crecimiento de la población valenciana. Análisis y prevención de los censos demográficos (1609-1857). Ediciones Alfons el Magnànim. Valencia, 1994.
[3] ↑ a b Organismo Autónomo Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica. «Visualizador de mapas e imágenes». Iberpix. Gobierno de España. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2024.: http://www.ign.es/iberpix/visor/
[4] ↑ a b Juan Enrique Ferrer (10 de marzo de 2005). «La fundación de Valencia». www.20minutos.es (Multiprensa y Más). Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.20minutos.es/carta/10161/0/
[5] ↑ Lerma i Blasco, Joan (7 de diciembre de 1984). «Ley 4/1983, de 23 de noviembre, de uso y enseñanza del Valenciano». Boletín Oficial del Estado (20). Boletín Oficial del Estado. p. 6362. ISSN 0212-033X. Consultado el 16 de marzo de 2024.: https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1984/BOE-A-1984-1851-consolidado.pdf
[15] ↑ UNESCO. «La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia». World heritage convention (en inglés). UNESCO. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2024.: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/782/
[17] ↑ Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno. «Historia y misión». En Generalidad Valenciana, ed. Colección. Consultado el 7 de diciembre de 2014.: https://ivam.es/es/coleccion/
[19] ↑ a b c Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (2011). «Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias». Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Generalidad Valenciana. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cac.es/
[23] ↑ BOE. «Concesión del título de Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional a la Semana Santa Marinera de Valencia». Consultado el 27 de agosto de 2012.: http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2012-683
[24] ↑ «Capital Verde Europea 2024 - Valencia». Ayuntamiento de Valencia. 12 de enero de 2024.: https://www.valencia.es/web/cve
[26] ↑ a b c Esther Cerveró (26 de febrero de 2009). «Imágenes, carteles y sonidos de una exposición olvidada». ElMundo.es (Unidad Editorial Internet, S.L.). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/02/26/valencia/1235673837.html
[35] ↑ «La Copa Davis llegará a Valencia del 10 al 15 de septiembre en el Pabellón Municipal de la Fuente de San Luis». Ajuntament de València. 14 de marzo de 2024.: https://www.valencia.es/-/seu-copa-davis
[46] ↑ «Decreto 6/2017, de 10 de febrero, del Consell, por el que se aprueba el cambio de denominación del municipio de Valencia por la forma exclusiva en valenciano de València». Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana. 14 de febrero de 2017.: http://www.dogv.gva.es/datos/2017/02/14/pdf/2017_1189.pdf
[47] ↑ «Decreto 16/2017, de 10 de febrero, del Consell, por el que se aprueba el cambio de denominación del municipio de Valencia por la forma exclusiva en valenciano de València». Boletín Oficial del Estado. 12 de abril de 2017.: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2017-4116
[53] ↑ Academia Valenciana de la Lengua (2002). De les Normes de Castelló a l’Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua. Valencia: Generalidad Valenciana. ISBN 84-482-3309-3. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[55] ↑ a b «DECRETO 69/2017, de 2 de junio, del Consell, de regulación de los criterios y procedimiento para el cambio de denominación de los municipios y otras entidades locales de la Comunitat Valenciana. [2017/5604]». Diario Oficial de la Generalidad Valenciana. Generalidad Valenciana. 2 de junio de 2017. Consultado el 26 de septiembre de 2023.: https://dogv.gva.es/portal/ficha_disposicion_pc.jsp?sig=005556/2017&L=1
[61] ↑ Direcció General d'Administració Local, ed. (1988). Proposta de demarcacions territorials homologades (en valenciano). Valencia: Conselleria d'Administracions Públiques. ISBN 84-7579-587-0. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[62] ↑ Blasco Ibáñez, 2001, p. 280.
[63] ↑ a b Enric Guinot Rodríguez (2008). «El paisaje de la huerta de Valencia: elementos de interpretación de su morfología espacial de origen medieval». Historia de la Ciudad V. Tradición y progreso (Valencia: Universidad de Valencia). pp. 98-111. ISBN 978-84-86828-80-6. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.thomasfglick.com/images/Guinot-%20Landscape%20of%20Valencian%20huerta.pdf
[65] ↑ Miquel Montañana Palacios y Santiago Tormo Esteve (2002). «Llos azudes del turia en la vega de Valencia. Aspectos funcionales, constructivos y morfológicos del sistema de mestalla y su conservación compatible con los usos actuales». Actas del I Congreso del GEIIC. Conservación del Patrimonio: evolución y nuevas perspectivas. (Grupo Español del IIC). Consultado el 15 de octubre de 2011.: http://ge-iic.com/files/1congreso/Miquel_M.pdf
[90] ↑ EFE (13 de febrero de 2008). «Unos restos arqueológicos prueban que hubo actividad humana en Valencia en el s. III a. C.». www.elmundo.es (Mundinteractivos, S.A.). Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/02/12/valencia/1202829791.html
[91] ↑ a b c d e f Amando Llopis, Luis Perdigón y Francisco Taberner (2004). «Valencia 138 a. C.-1929. De la fundación de la ciudad romana a la configuración y colmatación de la ciudad burguesa». Faxdocs. Faximil Ediciones Digitales. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://issuu.com/faximil/docs/estudiochcv
[95] ↑ Montaner Frutos, Alberto; Boix Jovaní, Alfonso (2005). «La Batalla de Cuarte (1094). Una victoria del Cid sobre los almorávides en la historia y en la poesía». Guerra en Šarq Alʼandalus: Las batallas cidianas de Morella (1084) y Cuarte (1094). Zaragoza: Instituto de Estudios Islámicos y del Oriente Próximo. pp. 97-340. ISBN 978-84-95736-04-8. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[96] ↑ Coscollá Sanz, 2003, p. 44. «Jimena tomó el cuerpo de su marido, el ejército incendió la catedral, el alcázar, palacios, mezquitas, incluso aquellas que habían sido consagradas como iglesias, casas particulares, todo ello después de desvalijar y tomar cuanto pudieron.».
[97] ↑ Cabanes Pecourt y Ferrer Navarro, 1979.
[98] ↑ Puerto Ferre y Culla Hernández, 2007.
[99] ↑ Espinach, G. N. (1999). Los orígenes de la sedería valenciana (siglos XV-XVI) (Vol. 14). Ajuntament de Valencia Oficina D'Estadistica.
[100] ↑ historiasiglo20.org (2005). «El Imperio de Carlos V: Conflictos internos. Comunidades y Germanías». Historiasiglo20.org El sitio web de la historia del siglo XX. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.historiasiglo20.org/HE/6a.htm
[101] ↑ Escartí i Soriano, 2009, p. 336.
[102] ↑ Benítez Sánchez-Blanco, Rafael (2001). Heroicas decisiones: la monarquía católica y los Moriscos valencianos (Primera edición). Valencia: Institució Alfons el Magnànim. p. 431. ISBN 8478223649. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[103] ↑ Francisco García González (2009). La Guerra de Sucesión en España y la batalla de Almansa. Madrid: Sílex. p. 546. ISBN 978-84-7737-232-5. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[104] ↑ Felipe V (1707). «Decreto de abolición de los Fueros de Aragón y Valencia». Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011. «He juzgado conveniente... abolir y derogar enteramente, como desde luego doy por abolidos y derogados, todos los referidos fueros, privilegios, práctica y costumbre hasta aquí observadas en los referidos reinos de Aragón y Valencia».: https://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Decretos_de_Nueva_Planta
[107] ↑ historiasiglo20.org (2005). «Fernando VII: Absolutismo y liberalismo. La Emancipación de América Latina». Historiasiglo20.org El sitio web de la historia del siglo XX. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.historiasiglo20.org/HE/9c-1.htm
[116] ↑ Felip i Sardá, Josep María; Sanz Díaz, Benito (2006). La construcción política de la Comunidad Valenciana (1962-1983). Valencia: Fundación Alfons el Magnànim. ISBN 84-7822-476-9.
[117] ↑ «CIUDAD DE LAS ARTES Y LAS CIENCIAS, SA.». www.cac.es. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Generalitat Valenciana. 2011. Consultado el 19 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cac.es/CACSA/?languageId=4
[118] ↑ a b Dr. Salvador Carrasco-Arroyo. y Dr. Pau Rausell-Köster (6-9). TURISMO, CULTURA Y COMPETITIVIDAD URBANA: EL CASO DE LA. CIUDAD DE VALENCIA.. IV Congreso internacional de cultura y desarrollo. Archivado desde el original el 25 de noviembre de 2011. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011. La referencia utiliza el parámetro obsoleto |mes= (ayuda).: https://web.archive.org/web/20111125085357/http://www.uv.es/carrascs/PDF/IVCONGRESOs.pdf
[123] ↑ Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Nomenclátor: (1 de enero de 2015). «Población del Padrón Continuo por Unidad Poblacional». Consultado el 16 de marzo de 2015.: http://www.ine.es/nomen2/index.do
[126] ↑ FVMP (2007). «VALENCIA. Actividades económicas, sectores económicos». www.fvmp.es. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.fvmp.es/
[127] ↑ Conselleria de medi ambient, aigua, urbanisme i habitatge (2010). «Memoria ambiental del Plan de Acción Territorial de la Huerta». Plan de Acción Territorial de la Huerta. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cma.gva.es/contenidoHtmlArea/contenido/62484/cas/memoria.pdf
[128] ↑ Signes Martínez, Francisco (2003). «Historia gráfica de una industria valenciana desde 1891 a 2001». Dialnet (466). ISSN 1134-1416. Consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2011.: http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=739098
[131] ↑ www.palcongres-vlc.com, ed. (6 de julio de 2010). «El Mejor Centro de Congresos del Mundo» (PDF). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011. (enlace roto disponible en Internet Archive; véase el historial, la primera versión y la última).: http://www.palcongres-vlc.com/adaptax/uploads/files/060710_NP_PremioAIPC2010.pdf
[136] ↑ a b c d Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación. Parque Científico de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia». www.cpi.upv.es. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cpi.upv.es
[137] ↑ a b Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación. Centros de investigación». www.cpi.upv.es. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cpi.upv.es/quienes-somos/centros-de-investigacion
[146] ↑ Ayuntamiento de Valencia (2011). «Portal del Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de Valencia». www.valencia.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011. - [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/home.nsf/(Portadas1)/$first?opendocument&lang=1](http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/home.nsf/(Portadas1)/$first?opendocument&lang=1)
[156] ↑ «Joan Ribó, reelegido alcalde, destaca "el momento histórico: la consolidación del cambio tranquilo, pero firme, de València hacia la modernidad"». Ayuntamiento de Valencia. 17 de junio de 2019.: http://www.valencia.es/valencia/noticias/NOTICIA_066239
[167] ↑ Josep Vicent Boira i Maiques (2000). «Els orígens del Passeig de València al Mar». Cuadernos de Geografía (en valenciano) (Valencia: Departamento de Geografía de la Universidad de Valencia) (67/68): 191-207. ISSN 0210-086X. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.uv.es/cuadernosgeo/CG67_68_191_207.pdf
[168] ↑ djaa, cultura, valencia y benimàmet, ed. (2007). «PUENTES SOBRE EL CAUCE DEL RÍO TURIA». www.jdiezarnal.com. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.jdiezarnal.com/valenciapuentes.html
[171] ↑ a b Jardín Botánico de la Universidad de València (2008). «Jardí Botànic de la Universitat de València». ww.jardibotanic.org. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.jardibotanic.org/
[183] ↑ Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia». www.csmvalencia.es. Consultado el 6 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.csmvalencia.es/va/presentacio.php
[185] ↑ Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Valencia, ed. (2011). «Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Valencia». www.csdanza.es. Consultado el 6 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.csdanza.es/
[190] ↑ Universitat Politècnica de València (2011). «Universidad Politécnica de Valencia». www.upv.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.upv.es/
[191] ↑ Universidad Católica de Valencia. San Vicente Mártir. (2011). «Universidad Católica de Valencia. San Vicente Mártir». www.ucv.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.ucv.es/
[192] ↑ «80 Opiniones REALES de Implika Valencia (Centro de Enseñanza) en Valencia | GuiaDeMicroempresas.es». 80 Opiniones REALES de Implika Valencia (Centro de Enseñanza) en Valencia | GuiaDeMicroempresas.es. Consultado el 17 de junio de 2022.: https://guiademicroempresas.es/centro-de-ensenanza/valencia/implika-valencia/
[193] ↑ UNED (2011). «Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, "Centro Alcira-Valencia Francisco Tomás y Valiente"». www.uned-valencia.net. Consultado el 1 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.uned-valencia.net/
[194] ↑ Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (2011). «Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera». www.uchceu.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.uchceu.es/
[196] ↑ Universidad Europea de Valencia (2014). «Universidad Europea de Valencia». www.valencia.universidadeuropea.es. Consultado el 16 de noviembre de 2014.: http://valencia.universidadeuropea.es/
[197] ↑ «Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte - Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte - Generalitat Valenciana». Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Consultado el 17 de junio de 2022.: https://ceice.gva.es/ca/
[203] ↑ Boletín Oficial del Estado, ed. (1992). «Orden de 16 de septiembre de 1992 por la que se constituye una Unidad del Cuerpo Nacional de Policía y se adscribe a la Comunidad Valenciana». www.boe.es. Consultado el 14 de noviembre de 2011.: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1992/09/23/pdfs/A32399-32399.pdf
[221] ↑ Agència Valenciana de Mobilitat (10 de marzo de 11). «La Agencia Valenciana de Movilidad estudia la introducción de taxis totalmente ecológicos en Valencia». www.avmm.es. Archivado desde el original el 1 de octubre de 2011. Consultado el 18 de octubre de 2011.: https://web.archive.org/web/20111001070647/http://www.avmm.es/web/taxi-valencia
[232] ↑ Renfe (2011). «Mapa de zonas de Media Distancia de Levante». www.renfe.com. Consultado el 19 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.renfe.com/docs/levante_MD.pdf
[251] ↑ a b Iglesia y museo de San Juan del Hospital (2007-2011). «Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital de Valencia». www.sanjuandelhospital.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.sanjuandelhospital.es/iglesia/index.php
[254] ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2009). «La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia». whc.unesco.org. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://whc.unesco.org/es/list/782
[255] ↑ «La Gran Enciclopèdia en valencià (Tomo12)». Barcelona, Edicions 62 (en valenciano). 2004. ISBN 84-297-5440-7.
[257] ↑ «RESOLUCIÓN de 30 de noviembre de 2007, de la Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural Valenciano, de la Conselleria de Cultura y Deporte, por la que se incoa expediente en relación con la declaración como bien de interés cultural del Palau de la Generalitat.». Boletín Oficial del Estado (5912). 31 de enero de 2008. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/01/31/pdfs/A05912-05919.pdf
[260] ↑ Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias González Martí (2010). «Historia del edificio». En Ministerio de Cultura, ed. www.mnceramica.mcu.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://mnceramica.mcu.es/museo.html
[262] ↑ Toros del Mediterráneo - Simon Casas Production, SAS UTE (2011). «Plaza de Toros de Valencia». www.torosvalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.torosvalencia.com/
[269] ↑ Actuaciones Urbanas de Valencia (2010). «Mercado de Colón, el edificio». En Ayuntamiento de Valencia, ed. www.mercadocolon.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.mercadocolon.es/
[277] ↑ Teatres de la Generalitat (2011). «Teatres de la Generalitat». www.teatres.gva.es. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://teatres.gva.es/
[280] ↑ European Coordination of Film Festivals (2008). «European Coordination of Film Festivals (ECFF)». www.femmetotale.de (en inglés). Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.femmetotale.de/z_pages/ecff_e.html
[289] ↑ «Ley Valenciana de la Música». BOE. 12 de mayo de 1998.
[290] ↑ cibm-valencia (2011). «Historia del Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Música de Valencia». www.cibm-valencia.com. Consultado el 17 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.cibm-valencia.com/esp/historia.aspx
[296] ↑ Palau de la Música i Congressos de Valencia (2011). «Palau de la Música». www.palaudevalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.palaudevalencia.com/
[298] ↑ Europa Press (7 de octubre de 2005). «La Reina Sofía inaugura el Palau de les Arts, la mayor infraestructura nacional de artes escénicas». www.elconfidencial.com (Titania Compañía Editorial, S.L.). Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.elconfidencial.com/noticias/noticia_6652.asp
[317] ↑ Agencia Católica de Informaciones (5 de abril de 2011). «San Vicente Ferrer». www.aciprensa.com. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2011.: http://www.aciprensa.com/santos/santo.php?id=104
[320] ↑ Ariño Vilaroya, Antonio (1988). El Corpus Republicano (Evolución de la fiesta del Corpus entre 1860 y 1875). Valencia. Depósito Legal V-14-1988.
[321] ↑ Asiciació d'Amics del Corpus de la Ciutat de Valencia, ed. (2009). «Asiciació d'Amics del Corpus de la Ciutat de Valencia». Consultado el noviembre de 2011.: http://www.corpusvalenciaamics.com/index.html
[328] ↑ «Cartilla, en que se proponen las reglas, para torear a caballo, y practicar este valeroso, noble exercicio, con toda destreza». Biblioteca Digital Hispánica. Consultado el 29 de diciembre de 2019.: http://bdh-rd.bne.es/viewer.vm?id=0000125746&page=1
[334] ↑ JOAN LLENAS, SALVADOR GASCON (2006). Los mejores arroces de la Comunidad Valenciana. Everest. p. 240. ISBN 9788424184148. |fechaacceso= requiere |url= (ayuda).
[366] ↑ Federación de la Pilota Valenciana (6 de agosto de 2011). «El “XX Día de la Pilota Valenciana” será espectacular». www.fedpival.es. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://fedpival.es/cas/noticias/detalle/398
[369] ↑ Medio maratón de Valencia (2011). «Medio Maratón de Valencia». www.mediomaratonvalencia.com. Consultado el 29 de octubre de 2011.: http://www.mediomaratonvalencia.com/
During the century Valencia remained the third demographic pole of Spain, since throughout the century its population tripled, going from 213,550 inhabitants in the year 1900 to 739,014 in the year 2000. Likewise, during the century Valencia was also the third industrial and economic pole of the country, thanks to such important milestones as the creation of the Bank of Valencia in 1900,[109] the development of the expansion of the city, the construction of the Central and Colón markets, and the construction of the North Railway Station "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), which was completed in 1921. In addition to this, the Valencia of the new century became known with a great event, the Valencian regional exhibition of 1909, which emulated the national and universal exhibitions held in other cities in the world. This event was promoted by the commercial athenaeum of Valencia, especially by its president, Tomás Trénor y Palavicino, and had the support of the Government and the Crown, since it was inaugurated by Alfonso XIII.[24][25].
On November 6, 1936, Valencia became the capital of republican Spain at the hands of Francisco Largo Caballero, president of the government. On May 17, 1937, the government passed into the hands of Negrín, and on October 31 of that same year, the government moved to Barcelona.[110].
On January 13, 1937, the first official bombing of the city of Valencia since the Republican Government resided there was carried out from a fascist Italian navy ship.[111] From this day, the bombings intensified and followed one another on several occasions, reaching 442 bombings of the city at the end of the war. These bombings left 2,831 injured and 847 dead, although it is estimated that the number of fatalities was higher, since the previous data are those recognized by Franco's government.[91].
As a result of the great flood in Valencia in 1957, a new channel was built for the river, on the outskirts of the city, so the old channel could be converted into a recreational and garden area.[63] At the beginning of the sixties, economic recovery began, and Valencia experienced spectacular population growth due to immigration and the execution of important urban and infrastructure works.[112].
With the arrival of democracy, the old kingdom of Valencia established itself as an autonomous community, the Valencian Community, and established in its Statute of Autonomy that the capital was Valencia. Despite this, on the night of February 23, 1981 there was a coup attempt, led by Jaime Milans del Bosch in Valencia, which failed.[113] Democracy led to the recovery of the Valencian language and culture, although some social tension around the symbols could not be avoided (known as the Battle of Valencia).[114][115].
During the first 25 years of democracy, Valencia has undergone great development, mainly due to such emblematic works as the Palacio de la Música, the Palacio de Congresos, the metro, the City of Arts and Sciences, by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela,[116] the MuVIM, the IVAM, etc. Thanks to these works, as well as the progressive rehabilitation of the Ciutat Vella, every day the city attracts more and more tourism.[117].
An extensive taxi network operates in the city of Valencia and its metropolitan region, approximately 3,000. These are distinguished by being white vehicles and bearing the insignia of the Generalitat Valenciana and the motto "Valencia Area" on the driver's door, in addition to a device on the roof called a module that indicates whether the taxi is free by turning on a green light and also carries the numbers 1, 2 and 3 that indicate the fare that is currently on the taximeter.[218].
In the past, and until the 1980s, taxis were black with a yellow horizontal stripe along the entire length of the vehicle and with the city's arms on the front door and the license number issued by the City Council.
In Valencia, taxi drivers have regulated mandatory rest days that are regulated according to the number in which their licenses end. They have a mandatory day of rest between Monday and Friday that changes annually and then another day on the weekend that rotates weekly.[218].
In Valencia, taxi drivers usually have good vehicles that are not very old, being renewed every 5 years on average. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, through the Valencian Mobility Agency (AVM), has had an aid program in place since 2005 for the acquisition of electric vehicles for taxi service. Currently, there are already 69 hybrid electric vehicles providing taxi service in the Valencia Area.[219][220].
The city of Valencia has many sections of bike lanes (around 160 km),[210] that form an interconnected network thanks to the cycle ring, a bike lane that runs through the center of Valencia, connecting all the bike lanes in the periphery.[221].
Currently, the city also has the public bicycle rental service Valenbisi, implemented on June 21, 2010. This service, promoted by the city council and managed by the company JCDecaux, had in the first phase of implementation with 50 stations and 500 bicycles, although currently this service is provided to nearly 103,000 subscribers with a total of 2,750 bicycles, distributed in 275 stations.[222][223] This bicycle rental service is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as long as there is no act that prevents the correct functioning of the service.[224].
EuroVelo, the trans-European network of cycle routes passes through this city, specifically the EuroVelo Mediterranean Route 8. Spain has a total of three trans-European cycle routes that cover more than 3000 km of Spanish geography.
The person in charge of coordinating urban and interurban transport in the Valencian Community is the Valencia Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATMV). Regarding intercity bus transportation in the metropolitan area of Valencia, a consortium was created for the operation of regular interurban lines: Autobuses Metropolitanos de Valencia (MetroBus) "Autobuses Metropolitanos de Valencia (MetroBus)").[225] The MetroBus consortium is made up of a total of 8 coach and bus companies (AUVACA, EDETANIA BUS, AVSA - Autos Vallduxense, FERNANBUS, Autobuses BUÑOL, Autobuses HERCA, URBETUR and ALSA) that operate the 102 lines that make up the MetroBus network.[225] In addition to these regular lines, some of the companies that operate MetroBus also provide occasional services with regular line buses.[225].
In the city of Valencia there is also a bus station, which is located on Menéndez Pidal Avenue, and its lines cover most of the towns in the province and the main towns in the Community, as well as national daily service lines and numerous international lines.[226] The bus station serves as an intermodal connection center, since it has a taxi rank at the main door, and with the Turia station, of Metrovalencia, just 200 meters away m.[227].
The city has five railway stations in its municipal area, four of which are commuter and medium-distance; These are: Valencia-Norte "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), Valencia-Fuente de San Luis, Valencia-Cabañal and Valencia-San Isidro. The fifth is a provisional station for the new High Speed line[228] that connects the city with Madrid, Cuenca "Cuenca (Spain)") and Albacete, which is located on San Vicente Street, next to the intersection with César Giorgeta Avenue, very close to the current Estación del Norte and is called Valencia Joaquín-Sorolla.[229].
Finally, the High Speed Train (AVE) will cross the city through a three-track through tunnel (two high-speed and one commuter), which will run under the large Germanías and Marqués del Turia tracks and will have two interconnection stations for commuter trains, one of them on Aragón Avenue and the other on the Tarongers Campus.
Currently Valencia has its own suburban core,[230] which is made up of six lines that connect Valencia with Gandía, Mogente, Utiel, Chirivella, Caudiel and with Castellón de la Plana. In addition, four of the lines continue as medium and long distance lines linking Valencia with capitals such as Madrid, Barcelona, Albacete, Zaragoza, etc.[231].
With the airport law of 1927, the creation of an airport for the city of Valencia was considered urgent and an area for hydroaviation was enabled in the port of Valencia. Shortly afterward, it was planned to install the airport on the spit of land that separates the Valencia lagoon from the sea so that it could be used for both seaplanes and land planes. However, this alternative was discarded and it was decided to build the airport in its current location, that is, in Manises.[232][233].
The airport opened in March 1933 and was declared a customs airport in 1934. On September 1 of that same year, the first regular flight was made between the cities of Madrid and Valencia.[232].
Important improvement works are currently being carried out to be able to accommodate the increase in operations that have increased since 2001, thanks to the tourism attracted by the cities and their surroundings of Valencia and Castellón de la Plana, as well as low-cost companies, which since 2003 have operated from Manises with a large number of destinations. All this has meant that in 2010, the airport recorded traffic of 4,934,268 passengers, that is, more than double the number of passengers in 2001, when the total volume of passengers was 2,301,191.[234].
In September 2008, the second expansion of the Manises airport was presented, which is located 8 km from the city of Valencia and is connected by bus, taxi and metro. This airport allows you to reach most of the Spanish territory, Europe and cities in North Africa. In addition, on June 6, 2009, regular flights with the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York began, with four weekly flights.[235] Several works are currently being carried out, such as the expansion of the terminal building, the commercial aviation platform, the general aviation platform and the parking lot, in addition to technical assistance for the control and surveillance of the same, as well as the new Terminal 2 (T2), a building understood as a logical growth of the current Terminal on its eastern side and complement of the Regional Terminal.[236].
The Port of Valencia is one of the ports managed by the Port Authority of Valencia (Valenciaport), which also manages those of Sagunto and Gandía. This port had a total surface area in 2004 of 4,366,262 m², of which 2,137,295 m² were used for storage and 778,074 m² for roads, and offered 9,637 m of docking line distributed in 16 docks "Dock (construction)") and 2 pontoons.
This is the leading commercial port in the Western Mediterranean in terms of volume of containerized goods, since during 2010, 64 million tons passed through the ports of Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía, 10.81 percent more than in 2009, figures that consolidate Valenciaport's leadership.[138] And since 2006, the Port of Valencia is, according to sources from the Ministry of Public Works,[138] the first Spanish port in container traffic, as well as the 5th in Europe and one of the top 50 in the world in container traffic.
While the Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL) of Valencia,[237] for its part, is a multimodal distribution center dedicated to the logistics of maritime merchandise, which completes the offer of logistics services of the Port of Valencia. The ZAL allows companies located there to improve their competitiveness in terms of cost and time, thanks to the preferential location in the area adjacent to the port, the complete network of connections to the main national and international centers by road and rail, the extensive surface area adaptable to the needs of each client and the wide range of business and social services.
With regard to passenger transport, currently the Passenger Terminal of the port of Valencia is managed by the shipping company Acciona Trasmediterránea and has all the necessary services to meet the demand of cruise ship owners "Cruise (trip)"): crew assistance, direct access walkways to the ships, parking for passengers, gift shops, duty free, etc.[238] Currently, there are regular lines to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza "Ibiza (city)"), Mahón and Formentera.[239].
It should be noted that the port of Valencia closed 2010 with good results in cruise traffic. The number of stopovers (156) grew by 9.29% and the number of passengers (253,000) grew by 37%. But it is in 2011 when Valencia wants to take the big leap in the cruise industry and its forecasts point to a 41% increase in stopovers, with 212 confirmed at the beginning of the year, and a 73% increase in passengers with 400,000 passengers.[240].
The palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, as it is known today, is the product of a radical renovation carried out on the old ancestral home of the Rabassa de Perellós, holders of the Marquisate of Dos Aguas, in the 1740s (century) in a pronounced Rococo style. On one side of the Palace opens the main door, made of alabaster by Ignacio Vergara based on a design by Hipólito Rovira. Presided over by the image of the Virgin, two flows of water descend from it in allusion to the title of the marquises, with two Atlanteans on the sides that symbolize two rivers, all with an appearance of overflowing voluptuousness.[259] It houses the González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Luxury Arts.
Another building from this period is the Valencia Palace of Justice "Palacio de Justicia (Valencia)"), originally the Royal Customs House, which was built in the time of Charles III between the years 1758 and 1802. When the building was the Royal Customs House, all maritime trade heading to Valencia passed through it, since it was one of the economic poles of Spain in the 19th century. In 1828 the building became the tobacco factory and in 1914 it became the headquarters of the Palace of Justice.[260].
Plaza Redonda, with a unique round perimeter, was built in 1840 by the Valencian architect Salvador Escrig and is located next to the church of Santa Catalina "Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Valencia)") and the Plaza de la Virgen, in the historic center of the city.
The Valencia bullring was built between the years 1850 and 1860 (20th century) on the site of a previous bullring that, due to budget problems, was never completed. It is neoclassical, inspired by Roman civil architecture, the theater of Flavio Marcellus (Colosseum), or the amphitheater of Nimes (France). It was built by the Valencian architect Sebastián Monleón Estellés. It is a polygonal body with 48 sides, more than 17 m high and 52 m in diameter. With these dimensions they make it one of the largest squares in Spain.[261][262].
The town hall of Valencia integrates in a block with a slightly trapezoidal plan, two buildings of very different period and style: the Teaching House, built at the initiative of Archbishop Don Andrés Mayoral, between 1758 and 1763; and the body of the building (the main façade), made between the second and third decades of the century in a marked modernist style. On March 1, 1962, through decree 474/1962 (BOE 9-03-62), the building was declared an asset of cultural interest (BIC),[263] while it was also declared a national historical-artistic monument.[264].
Another of the most important modernist buildings in Valencia is the North Station "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), built between 1906 and 1917, taking advantage of the urban transformations of the city at the end of the century to be installed on a huge remaining plot of land.[265] It is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city's civil architecture. The work, designed by the architect Demetrio Ribes, is part of the modernist style, where the influences of the European side of the Sezession can be seen, characterized by a modernism of straight lines as opposed to the more typical sinuous forms of Valencian modernism "Modernism (art)").[266].
The Central Market building is also another construction in the Valencian modernist style and construction began in 1914 by Francesc Guàrdia i Vial and Alexandre Soler i March, both trained at the Barcelona School of Architecture and having worked in the team of collaborators of Domènech i Montaner, an architect who was characterized by his own style within the lines of modernism.[267] This building combines metal, domes, glass, columns, to the gothic memory of modernism, as if it were a cathedral of commerce, combining very well with the neighboring Lonja de los Mercaderes. In the center of the building you can see a large dome crowned by a weather vane.
The Colón Market is another clear example of Valencian modernism from the beginning of the century. This market was designed and built by the architect Francisco Mora Berenguer between 1914 and 1916. The market was inaugurated on December 24, 1916, Christmas Eve, and according to reports from the municipal newspapers, this was a spectacular event: from the bullring came a cavalcade formed by the Mounted Municipal Guard, with the city's kettledrums and bugles, the Rock of Fame, the market vendors, the "La Pesca" groups, "Poultry and meat" and "Flowers, fruits and vegetables", a float occupied by the queen of the Festival accompanied by her court of honor. The Municipal Band") and a section of the Civil Guard "Guardia Civil (Spain)") closed the celebration. It should be noted that the market building was declared a National Monument.[268].
In the port area there is another of the most important works of Valencian modernism, the Sheds of the Port of Valencia. The author and promoter of them was the Engineer Federico G. de Membrillera, deputy director of the port of Valencia at the end of the century. Until the second half of the century, the only existing port infrastructure in the port of Valencia had been a simple wooden dock, and due to the increase in merchandise traffic in the port, the need to expand the infrastructure was seen, so the construction of six sheds "Shed (shed)") was planned. Although the engineers demanded that ornamentation take precedence, the lack of budget at that time simplified the project. Despite this, the decoration of Valencian modernism stands out, with reliefs alluding to commerce and navigation and polychrome ceramic mosaics on typical Valencian themes.[269].
The Nueve de Octubre bridge was built in the eighties of the century by the then still unrecognized Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, this being the architect's first work in the city. This bridge stands out for the originality of its shapes and for the four abstract sculptures that adorn its entrances.
Another work designed by Santiago Calatrava is the complex formed by the Exhibition Bridge and the Alameda metro station, which is located under the old channel of the Turia River, which you have to go down to access the station. These works were inaugurated in 1995.[215] As a curious note, it should be noted that the construction of both elements was simultaneous, with the work on the metro station being carried out in its final location, while the work on the bridge was carried out on nearby land and was subsequently moved to its current location above the station.
Finally, we must highlight the complex of the City of Arts and Sciences,[18] designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, one of the most popular areas of the city. This complex was inaugurated over a decade, from April 16, 1998 when the Hemisférico was inaugurated, until October 31, 2009 with the opening of the Ágora "Ágora (Valencia)"), although currently some details of this building are still being finalized due to demolition problems on the external face of its construction. The works have raised a lot of controversy due to their cost overruns and technical failures.[270].
Finally, we must highlight the international positioning of Valencia in terms of design[309], with a tradition that goes back centuries in terms of silk, ceramics, the furniture industry or graphic arts where creativity advanced all these guilds linked to crafts. This process of innovation through creativity and design had its period of greatest effervescence in the 80s and 90s of the century with recognition that came with the designation of Valencia as World Capital of Design[310] in 2022 and the subsequent recognition by UNESCO as a City of Design[311] including Valencia in the global Network of Creative Cities.
«Nit d'Albades»
«dansà»
Descoberta
Infants
Historically, the Corpus Christi procession has been considered the great festival of Valencia, especially since the last third of the century. The history of this festival begins in the year 1355, when Hugo de Fenollet was bishop. This year a solemn general procession was held, in which the civil and religious authorities of the city accompanied the Blessed Sacrament, following the itinerary planned by the Juries, a good part of which is preserved today. This festival has been celebrated every year since then, with the exception of some years, such as those of the Second Spanish Republic (between 1931 and 1935), when the government forced the festival to take place only inside the churches,[319] as well as in the post-war years, when the festival was limited only to the religious part. So it was not until the 50s and 60s of the century when a group of neighbors once again promoted the procession to recover the old splendor of this festival, through the so-called "Grup de Mecha", this being the predecessor of what is currently the Association of Friends of Corpus Christi of the City of Valencia.[320].
During the month of July, to liven up the capital and attract outsiders, the City Council proposed holding an annual fair and exhibition of all kinds of products. Thus, on July 21, 1871, the first July Fair was inaugurated with an eye-catching parade, pavilions, plant exhibitions and sales of products in general. In 1891, the Battle of Flores was established, taking place on the last Sunday of July in the Alameda at around 8 p.m. Important music band competitions, bullfights, music concerts and many other activities are also held.[321].
As stated in the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community, on this day the Valencian Community Day is celebrated, to commemorate the triumphal entry of King James I to the city and the dedication of the main mosque as a church-cathedral.[322] This celebration has a long tradition in the city, since it has been celebrated since the 19th century, when it was established by King James II of Aragon.[322] The most significant acts of this festival are the singing of the «Te Deum» in the cathedral, the civic procession of the Señera and the tribute to King Jaime I, who granted the Fueros to the city and its kingdom, all of these events being presided over by the Royal Señera.
This day, the festival of San Dionisio is also celebrated, also known as the Valencian Valentine's Day. In this celebration, the lover usually gives his beloved the typical mocaorà, marzipan figures in the shape of fruits and pyrotechnic devices (the lollipop and the thunderer), wrapped in a handkerchief.
The traditional Valencian woman's costume has a long tradition in history. It appeared in the 20th century and began as a work suit for Valencian farmers, but with the passage of time it was transformed and evolved into more elegant clothing that was used on special occasions. In short, the current dress is the party dress that Valencian women wore centuries ago. Among its variants we find the costume of the century, more French-style; those of coteta, closer to those of huertana; and the one that emerged in the 19th century, called farolet because of its lantern-shaped sleeves. In her hair, a woman can wear one bun "Chignon (hairstyle)") or three. A larger one is worn on the back of the head, while two smaller ones, the rollers, are worn on the temple. The buns are held with passing needles and decorated with combs, the pinta for the back bun and the rascamonyos for the buns.[323].
While the traditional male clothing is the saragüell suit, which appears under the name sarawil in Andalusian Muslim texts from the 19th century. This dress is placed directly on the body and other clothing may or may not be placed on it. The fabric of this clothing is the canvas for work days, and on holidays it is covered with a second wool or silk underwear, known as negrilla. Another of the traditional men's clothing is the torrentí suit, which is characterized by having pants that are tighter to the leg and a xopetí, a type of vest or jacket. On the head, the man usually wears a mocador (handkerchief), a cap or a cap, the latter made of crochet, which are complemented with different caps and hats, such as the rodina, the cossiol or the montera.[324].
• - Traditional Valencian hairstyle.
• - Couple dressed as Valencians.
• - Women dressed as falleras.
• - Boys and men of Valencians.
The Water Court of Valencia, also known as Tribunal de la Vega de Valencia is a customary irrigation court, which is in charge of settling conflicts over irrigation water between farmers of the Irrigation Communities of the irrigation ditches that are part of the Vega de Valencia, except for the Real de Moncada ditch. Its origin is totally unknown, although it is most likely an evolution based on previous Andalusian traditions, although some historians such as José Vicente Gómez Bayarri "place its origins in Roman times.[325] In September 2009 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.[21].
This court is made up of a representative of each of the Irrigation Communities that are part of the Vega de Valencia, the so-called trustees. One of the trustees is the president, who is elected for an indefinite period of time. Traditionally the presidents of the Court are alternately the trustees of Favara and that of Tormos.
Every Thursday of the year the Court meets with its advisors in the Casa Vestuario in the Plaza de la Virgen, but at 12 o'clock at noon the Court is formally constituted in the Puerta de los Apóstoles of the Cathedral of Valencia. It is then that the sheriff, with the president's permission, calls those accused of each of the ditches, with the traditional phrase: "denunciats de la drought of...!". The trial takes place quickly, orally and entirely in Valencian.
Modern bullfighting began to develop in the 19th century, when the bullfight began to set the foundations for what would later be the bullfights known in contemporary times, considered as art and liturgy. The first bullfights held in Valencia date back to the year 1085.[326].
In the century bullfighting was consolidated as an art subject to a series of rules and regulations.[327] The bullfighters became professional and began to compete with the picadors, who until then enjoyed greater relevance in the posters. Livestock farms begin to gain prominence and cities are provided with new stable plazas, such as the Valencia bullring, which was built between the years 1850 and 1860[326] on the site of a previous plaza that, due to budget problems, was never completed.
In Valencia there is also a Bullfighting Museum, which was founded in 1929 with funds from the donation of Luis Moróder Peiró and the bullfighter José Bayard Badila, who for years collected a significant number of materials and objects from Valencian bullfighting of the century and the beginning of the century.[328].
It should be noted that Valencia hosts one of the first bullfighting festivals of the year, the San José Fair,[329] in which bullfights, bullfights and rejoneo are held with the best bullfighter posters, and the San Jaime Fair or July Fair,[330] which premiered on July 21, 1871 as an alternative proposed by the city council to attract tourists and prevent residents from leaving the city empty due to the heat of the year. Valencian summer.[321].
Valencia is the birthplace of well-known bullfighting figures such as Manuel Granero, Manolo Montoliu, the bullfighter María de los Ángeles Hernández Gómez, Luis Francisco Esplá, José Mari Manzanares, Vicente Ruiz el Soro, Enrique Ponce, José María Manzanares or Román Collado.[331].
The Valencia Basket Club plays in the ACB League, the highest competition in Spanish basketball.[347] Founded in 1986, the club is heir to the basketball section of the Valencia Club de Fútbol, until the football team's relegation to the second division in 1986, at which time the basketball club took on its own identity. It was sponsored by the company Pamesa, so it was commonly known until 2009 as Pamesa Valencia. From 2009 to 2011, the Valencian company Power Electronics sponsored the team, receiving the name Power Electronics Valencia Basket Club. He plays his matches at the Roig Arena in Valencia, with capacity for 15,600 spectators, and wears an orange shirt and pants. His reserve luggage is gray pants and t-shirt.
The other basketball team in the city was Ros Casares Valencia, one of the participants in the Women's Basketball League. This team was founded in 1996, upon inheriting the sporting rights of Popular Bàsquet Godella,[348] although it was not until the 1998/1999 season when the Ciudad Ros Casares company took over the reins of the team, and it disappeared in 2012. The first time it won a league with the current name was in 2001, although its best results came several years later, by achieving a triplet during the seasons. 2003/04, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10. This is a club with a large and dedicated fan base, which is why it received the Nostresport award for the best fan base in 2009. It also played its matches at the Fuente de San Luis Municipal Pavilion in Valencia.
The Real Club Náutico de Valencia was founded in 1903, so it has the honor of being one of the oldest in Spain.[349] Currently the club has one of the most modern and complete nautical facilities, with more than 400,000 m² of surface, and 1,252 berths, which house one of the best cruise fleets in the Valencian Community. The Club Náutico marina is also the venue for important competitions within the national calendar, attended by the best sailors, both cruising and in the different modalities of dinghy sailing (470 "470 (sailing"), optimist, snipe, etc.). In addition to all the port services, the Valencia Yacht Club has a very large headquarters, Olympic swimming pool, children's playground, sports center, fronton "Frontón (sports)") and tennis and squash courts.[350].
In Valencia there is also an athletics team, the Valencia Club de Atletismo. This team was born in May 1924 within Valencia CF. Throughout its more than 80 years of existence, its projection as well as its sporting successes have marked a milestone in the history of Valencian, national and European sports.[351].
The Valencia Tennis Club was founded in 1905 under the name of Sporting Club. Its facilities were initially located in Alameda, and it had two tennis courts. This Sporting was one of the clubs that formed the Barcelona Lawn-Tennis Association, a group of Clubs that gave rise to the current Royal Spanish Tennis Federation.[352].
The Real Aeroclub Valencia was born in July 1931, although it has its origins in the Valencia Regional Exhibition of 1909, and in the successive air festivals held in Valencia throughout those years. It currently has its headquarters on a plot in the industrial zone at the head of runway 22 of the Manises airport, which consists of a 1,500 m² hangar on the ground floor and offices, classroom, store and social premises on the upper floor, with the same surface area.[353].
In addition to this, up to four teams from the city have competed in the Honor Division of the Spanish Rugby League: Tatami Rugby Club, CAU Valencia, Les Abelles Rugby Club and Rugby Club Valencia, the latter winning the national league championship in 1983.
During 2011 Valencia was the European capital of sport,[354] an award given by the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES).[355] In addition to this, several world-class sports championships and tournaments are held, or have been held, in the city of Valencia. One of the most important is the Formula 1 European Grand Prix,[28] which was held at the Valencia Street Circuit from 2008 to 2011. The Valencia street circuit runs through the inner dock of the port and then heads towards the Grao and the Nazaret neighborhood "Nazaret (Valencia)"). In 2008 and 2009 the Grand Prix was held in the month of August, but due to the high temperatures that were reached, it was decided that starting in 2010 it would be held in the month of June.
Another major sporting event is the Spanish Grand Prix of the Global Champions Tour of Equestrian,[30] which was held from 2009 to 2011.[30] This GP is a test of the most prestigious international equestrian circuit in the world, which is made up of several top-class international jumping competitions. This tournament is made up of ten grand prizes, which are held in ten different cities, such as Hamburg, Monte Carlo, Rio de Janeiro, etc. The competition took place in the City of Arts and Sciences, in the area of the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum.
Also notable is the Valencia Open 500,[29] successor to the Valencian Community Tennis Open, and one of the 3 ATP tournaments held in Spain along with the Madrid Masters and the Conde de Godó in Barcelona. This tournament was played on clay at the facilities of the Valencia Tennis Club from 2002 to 2008, when the tournament rose in category with the restructuring of the ATP calendar, becoming one of the ATP Open 500. With the change in category, the tournament moved to the Ágora of the City of Arts and Sciences, where it began to be played on hard court.
In the past, the city has also hosted other sporting events of great importance, such as the XII World Indoor Athletics Championships,[356] which was held between March 7 and 9, 2008 at the Luis Puig Velodrome Palace. This event was a success in participation since the record of countries and athletes participating in a world indoor track championship was broken. Similarly, Valencia also hosted the III European Police and Firefighters Games"),[357][358] which lasted from June 7 to 13, 2010.
Due to the importance of the Mestalla stadium, the city has also hosted several matches of the main football tournaments, since the Mestalla stadium was chosen as the headquarters of the Spanish team for its matches in the first phase of the 1982 Football World Cup and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Likewise, Mestalla has also been the venue for several finals of the Copa del Rey, specifically in the 1928-29 editions, 1935-36, 1989/90, 1992-93, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2008-09, 2010-11[359] and 2013-14.[360].
Two editions of the America's Cup of sailing "Copa América (regatta)"), better known as the America's Cup, have been held in Valencia, which is the oldest sports trophy in the world, with 152 years of history and which brings together the excellence of the world of sailing. The first edition of the America's Cup held in Valencian waters was the 32nd "Copa América 2007 (regatta)"), and was held in 2007, while the second to be held was the number 33 "Copa América 2010 (regatta)"), which was held in 2010.
Along with Valencia, Genoa and Marseille were the other candidates to host the event, but finally the jury chose Valencia, due to its climatological and geographical conditions. The choice of the city was due to the fact that the winner of the 31st edition of this competition was the Nautical Society of Geneva, that is, the representative of a landlocked country, which is why it had to seek headquarters in a third country.[26].
Between 2004 and 2007 and thanks to the regattas of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the best teams in the world of sailing competed in the waters of the port of Valencia, among which the winner was Emirates Team New Zealand, which faced Alinghi in the final.[361] Finally Alinghi won the America's Cup for the second consecutive time in the seventh regatta, held on the 3rd of July, beating the challenging New Zealander by one second in what was his fifth and final victory of the series, in the best of nine races.[362].
Because the winner was once again the Geneva Nautical Society, the winners of the 32nd America's Cup announced on July 25, 2007 that Valencia would host the next edition in 2009. However, due to the judicial process in which the competition was involved, in 2008 the contract signed by the public managing entity with the Alinghi team was bilaterally cancelled. Finally, after the court ruling, Valencia once again hosted this competition "Copa América 2010 (regatta)"),[27] which was scheduled for the best of 3 events.
The tests were to begin on February 8, 2010, but on the 8th and 10th the start could not take place because the wind was weak and variable on the 8th and because the waves were over 2 m high on the 10th. On the 12th the first regatta was held, with USA 17, from the BMW Oracle Racing team, as the winner. It was not a very contested regatta since the Americans won by more than fifteen minutes ahead.[363] On the 14th the same script was repeated again. Although Alinghi 5 remained in the lead for much of the first beat, USA 17, using its greater speed and better strategy, took the lead and was more than five minutes ahead of the Swiss union at the finish line. The Copa América returned to the United States 15 years later.[364].
In addition to all the professional events, the city of Valencia celebrates several popular sporting events throughout the year, such as Valencian Pelota Day,[365] which has been held in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento of Valencia "Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Valencia)") every September since 1992. This event consists of different events throughout the morning, the highlight being the duel between the Valencian team and another international team.
The Valencia Triathlon[366] also has a long tradition in the city, since the Valencia Community is a pioneer in this sport and 2nd in number of licenses nationwide (Spain has 20,000 federated members, although it is estimated that the number of fans is much higher). The Valencia Triathlon is a sports festival, a high quality event for all its participants, which consists of three events: running through the City of Arts and Sciences; swim in the Valencia Marina dock; and finally riding a bike around the Formula 1 Circuit. In Valencia, as in other cities, a Popular Saint Sylvester is celebrated every December 30, in which hundreds of costumed athletes participate.
Also important is the popular marathon of Valencia,[367] organized since 1981 by the Sociedad Deportiva Correcaminos, with the collaboration of the Municipal Sports Foundation and many other organizing entities. What began with the first edition in the early 80s, with a few athletes dodging traffic, has become a high-level sporting event, whose organization involves more than 1,600 people, to serve almost 4,000 participants. While the Valencia half marathon,[368] measuring 21,097.50 m in length, also has a long tradition. This race has also been organized by the Correcaminos Sports Society since 1990, and its circuit has been approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, which runs on the city's asphalt.
Finally, we must highlight the City of Valencia Air Festival, which was held from 2003 to 2009 on Malvarrosa beach.[369] Airplanes from all over Spain, international, and the air force participated in this festival, bringing together a crowd of fans and spectators to watch the aerial acrobatics of the aerobatic champions of Spain, the Águila Patrol, and the fighters of the Spanish air force, which Parachutists, airplanes from the Valencia Aeroclub, and the CRJ-200 from Air Nostrum joined in, as well as classic and historic airplanes belonging to the Valencian Community Air Foundation.
During the century Valencia remained the third demographic pole of Spain, since throughout the century its population tripled, going from 213,550 inhabitants in the year 1900 to 739,014 in the year 2000. Likewise, during the century Valencia was also the third industrial and economic pole of the country, thanks to such important milestones as the creation of the Bank of Valencia in 1900,[109] the development of the expansion of the city, the construction of the Central and Colón markets, and the construction of the North Railway Station "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), which was completed in 1921. In addition to this, the Valencia of the new century became known with a great event, the Valencian regional exhibition of 1909, which emulated the national and universal exhibitions held in other cities in the world. This event was promoted by the commercial athenaeum of Valencia, especially by its president, Tomás Trénor y Palavicino, and had the support of the Government and the Crown, since it was inaugurated by Alfonso XIII.[24][25].
On November 6, 1936, Valencia became the capital of republican Spain at the hands of Francisco Largo Caballero, president of the government. On May 17, 1937, the government passed into the hands of Negrín, and on October 31 of that same year, the government moved to Barcelona.[110].
On January 13, 1937, the first official bombing of the city of Valencia since the Republican Government resided there was carried out from a fascist Italian navy ship.[111] From this day, the bombings intensified and followed one another on several occasions, reaching 442 bombings of the city at the end of the war. These bombings left 2,831 injured and 847 dead, although it is estimated that the number of fatalities was higher, since the previous data are those recognized by Franco's government.[91].
As a result of the great flood in Valencia in 1957, a new channel was built for the river, on the outskirts of the city, so the old channel could be converted into a recreational and garden area.[63] At the beginning of the sixties, economic recovery began, and Valencia experienced spectacular population growth due to immigration and the execution of important urban and infrastructure works.[112].
With the arrival of democracy, the old kingdom of Valencia established itself as an autonomous community, the Valencian Community, and established in its Statute of Autonomy that the capital was Valencia. Despite this, on the night of February 23, 1981 there was a coup attempt, led by Jaime Milans del Bosch in Valencia, which failed.[113] Democracy led to the recovery of the Valencian language and culture, although some social tension around the symbols could not be avoided (known as the Battle of Valencia).[114][115].
During the first 25 years of democracy, Valencia has undergone great development, mainly due to such emblematic works as the Palacio de la Música, the Palacio de Congresos, the metro, the City of Arts and Sciences, by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela,[116] the MuVIM, the IVAM, etc. Thanks to these works, as well as the progressive rehabilitation of the Ciutat Vella, every day the city attracts more and more tourism.[117].
An extensive taxi network operates in the city of Valencia and its metropolitan region, approximately 3,000. These are distinguished by being white vehicles and bearing the insignia of the Generalitat Valenciana and the motto "Valencia Area" on the driver's door, in addition to a device on the roof called a module that indicates whether the taxi is free by turning on a green light and also carries the numbers 1, 2 and 3 that indicate the fare that is currently on the taximeter.[218].
In the past, and until the 1980s, taxis were black with a yellow horizontal stripe along the entire length of the vehicle and with the city's arms on the front door and the license number issued by the City Council.
In Valencia, taxi drivers have regulated mandatory rest days that are regulated according to the number in which their licenses end. They have a mandatory day of rest between Monday and Friday that changes annually and then another day on the weekend that rotates weekly.[218].
In Valencia, taxi drivers usually have good vehicles that are not very old, being renewed every 5 years on average. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, through the Valencian Mobility Agency (AVM), has had an aid program in place since 2005 for the acquisition of electric vehicles for taxi service. Currently, there are already 69 hybrid electric vehicles providing taxi service in the Valencia Area.[219][220].
The city of Valencia has many sections of bike lanes (around 160 km),[210] that form an interconnected network thanks to the cycle ring, a bike lane that runs through the center of Valencia, connecting all the bike lanes in the periphery.[221].
Currently, the city also has the public bicycle rental service Valenbisi, implemented on June 21, 2010. This service, promoted by the city council and managed by the company JCDecaux, had in the first phase of implementation with 50 stations and 500 bicycles, although currently this service is provided to nearly 103,000 subscribers with a total of 2,750 bicycles, distributed in 275 stations.[222][223] This bicycle rental service is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as long as there is no act that prevents the correct functioning of the service.[224].
EuroVelo, the trans-European network of cycle routes passes through this city, specifically the EuroVelo Mediterranean Route 8. Spain has a total of three trans-European cycle routes that cover more than 3000 km of Spanish geography.
The person in charge of coordinating urban and interurban transport in the Valencian Community is the Valencia Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATMV). Regarding intercity bus transportation in the metropolitan area of Valencia, a consortium was created for the operation of regular interurban lines: Autobuses Metropolitanos de Valencia (MetroBus) "Autobuses Metropolitanos de Valencia (MetroBus)").[225] The MetroBus consortium is made up of a total of 8 coach and bus companies (AUVACA, EDETANIA BUS, AVSA - Autos Vallduxense, FERNANBUS, Autobuses BUÑOL, Autobuses HERCA, URBETUR and ALSA) that operate the 102 lines that make up the MetroBus network.[225] In addition to these regular lines, some of the companies that operate MetroBus also provide occasional services with regular line buses.[225].
In the city of Valencia there is also a bus station, which is located on Menéndez Pidal Avenue, and its lines cover most of the towns in the province and the main towns in the Community, as well as national daily service lines and numerous international lines.[226] The bus station serves as an intermodal connection center, since it has a taxi rank at the main door, and with the Turia station, of Metrovalencia, just 200 meters away m.[227].
The city has five railway stations in its municipal area, four of which are commuter and medium-distance; These are: Valencia-Norte "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), Valencia-Fuente de San Luis, Valencia-Cabañal and Valencia-San Isidro. The fifth is a provisional station for the new High Speed line[228] that connects the city with Madrid, Cuenca "Cuenca (Spain)") and Albacete, which is located on San Vicente Street, next to the intersection with César Giorgeta Avenue, very close to the current Estación del Norte and is called Valencia Joaquín-Sorolla.[229].
Finally, the High Speed Train (AVE) will cross the city through a three-track through tunnel (two high-speed and one commuter), which will run under the large Germanías and Marqués del Turia tracks and will have two interconnection stations for commuter trains, one of them on Aragón Avenue and the other on the Tarongers Campus.
Currently Valencia has its own suburban core,[230] which is made up of six lines that connect Valencia with Gandía, Mogente, Utiel, Chirivella, Caudiel and with Castellón de la Plana. In addition, four of the lines continue as medium and long distance lines linking Valencia with capitals such as Madrid, Barcelona, Albacete, Zaragoza, etc.[231].
With the airport law of 1927, the creation of an airport for the city of Valencia was considered urgent and an area for hydroaviation was enabled in the port of Valencia. Shortly afterward, it was planned to install the airport on the spit of land that separates the Valencia lagoon from the sea so that it could be used for both seaplanes and land planes. However, this alternative was discarded and it was decided to build the airport in its current location, that is, in Manises.[232][233].
The airport opened in March 1933 and was declared a customs airport in 1934. On September 1 of that same year, the first regular flight was made between the cities of Madrid and Valencia.[232].
Important improvement works are currently being carried out to be able to accommodate the increase in operations that have increased since 2001, thanks to the tourism attracted by the cities and their surroundings of Valencia and Castellón de la Plana, as well as low-cost companies, which since 2003 have operated from Manises with a large number of destinations. All this has meant that in 2010, the airport recorded traffic of 4,934,268 passengers, that is, more than double the number of passengers in 2001, when the total volume of passengers was 2,301,191.[234].
In September 2008, the second expansion of the Manises airport was presented, which is located 8 km from the city of Valencia and is connected by bus, taxi and metro. This airport allows you to reach most of the Spanish territory, Europe and cities in North Africa. In addition, on June 6, 2009, regular flights with the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York began, with four weekly flights.[235] Several works are currently being carried out, such as the expansion of the terminal building, the commercial aviation platform, the general aviation platform and the parking lot, in addition to technical assistance for the control and surveillance of the same, as well as the new Terminal 2 (T2), a building understood as a logical growth of the current Terminal on its eastern side and complement of the Regional Terminal.[236].
The Port of Valencia is one of the ports managed by the Port Authority of Valencia (Valenciaport), which also manages those of Sagunto and Gandía. This port had a total surface area in 2004 of 4,366,262 m², of which 2,137,295 m² were used for storage and 778,074 m² for roads, and offered 9,637 m of docking line distributed in 16 docks "Dock (construction)") and 2 pontoons.
This is the leading commercial port in the Western Mediterranean in terms of volume of containerized goods, since during 2010, 64 million tons passed through the ports of Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía, 10.81 percent more than in 2009, figures that consolidate Valenciaport's leadership.[138] And since 2006, the Port of Valencia is, according to sources from the Ministry of Public Works,[138] the first Spanish port in container traffic, as well as the 5th in Europe and one of the top 50 in the world in container traffic.
While the Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL) of Valencia,[237] for its part, is a multimodal distribution center dedicated to the logistics of maritime merchandise, which completes the offer of logistics services of the Port of Valencia. The ZAL allows companies located there to improve their competitiveness in terms of cost and time, thanks to the preferential location in the area adjacent to the port, the complete network of connections to the main national and international centers by road and rail, the extensive surface area adaptable to the needs of each client and the wide range of business and social services.
With regard to passenger transport, currently the Passenger Terminal of the port of Valencia is managed by the shipping company Acciona Trasmediterránea and has all the necessary services to meet the demand of cruise ship owners "Cruise (trip)"): crew assistance, direct access walkways to the ships, parking for passengers, gift shops, duty free, etc.[238] Currently, there are regular lines to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza "Ibiza (city)"), Mahón and Formentera.[239].
It should be noted that the port of Valencia closed 2010 with good results in cruise traffic. The number of stopovers (156) grew by 9.29% and the number of passengers (253,000) grew by 37%. But it is in 2011 when Valencia wants to take the big leap in the cruise industry and its forecasts point to a 41% increase in stopovers, with 212 confirmed at the beginning of the year, and a 73% increase in passengers with 400,000 passengers.[240].
The palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, as it is known today, is the product of a radical renovation carried out on the old ancestral home of the Rabassa de Perellós, holders of the Marquisate of Dos Aguas, in the 1740s (century) in a pronounced Rococo style. On one side of the Palace opens the main door, made of alabaster by Ignacio Vergara based on a design by Hipólito Rovira. Presided over by the image of the Virgin, two flows of water descend from it in allusion to the title of the marquises, with two Atlanteans on the sides that symbolize two rivers, all with an appearance of overflowing voluptuousness.[259] It houses the González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Luxury Arts.
Another building from this period is the Valencia Palace of Justice "Palacio de Justicia (Valencia)"), originally the Royal Customs House, which was built in the time of Charles III between the years 1758 and 1802. When the building was the Royal Customs House, all maritime trade heading to Valencia passed through it, since it was one of the economic poles of Spain in the 19th century. In 1828 the building became the tobacco factory and in 1914 it became the headquarters of the Palace of Justice.[260].
Plaza Redonda, with a unique round perimeter, was built in 1840 by the Valencian architect Salvador Escrig and is located next to the church of Santa Catalina "Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Valencia)") and the Plaza de la Virgen, in the historic center of the city.
The Valencia bullring was built between the years 1850 and 1860 (20th century) on the site of a previous bullring that, due to budget problems, was never completed. It is neoclassical, inspired by Roman civil architecture, the theater of Flavio Marcellus (Colosseum), or the amphitheater of Nimes (France). It was built by the Valencian architect Sebastián Monleón Estellés. It is a polygonal body with 48 sides, more than 17 m high and 52 m in diameter. With these dimensions they make it one of the largest squares in Spain.[261][262].
The town hall of Valencia integrates in a block with a slightly trapezoidal plan, two buildings of very different period and style: the Teaching House, built at the initiative of Archbishop Don Andrés Mayoral, between 1758 and 1763; and the body of the building (the main façade), made between the second and third decades of the century in a marked modernist style. On March 1, 1962, through decree 474/1962 (BOE 9-03-62), the building was declared an asset of cultural interest (BIC),[263] while it was also declared a national historical-artistic monument.[264].
Another of the most important modernist buildings in Valencia is the North Station "Estación del Norte (Valencia)"), built between 1906 and 1917, taking advantage of the urban transformations of the city at the end of the century to be installed on a huge remaining plot of land.[265] It is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city's civil architecture. The work, designed by the architect Demetrio Ribes, is part of the modernist style, where the influences of the European side of the Sezession can be seen, characterized by a modernism of straight lines as opposed to the more typical sinuous forms of Valencian modernism "Modernism (art)").[266].
The Central Market building is also another construction in the Valencian modernist style and construction began in 1914 by Francesc Guàrdia i Vial and Alexandre Soler i March, both trained at the Barcelona School of Architecture and having worked in the team of collaborators of Domènech i Montaner, an architect who was characterized by his own style within the lines of modernism.[267] This building combines metal, domes, glass, columns, to the gothic memory of modernism, as if it were a cathedral of commerce, combining very well with the neighboring Lonja de los Mercaderes. In the center of the building you can see a large dome crowned by a weather vane.
The Colón Market is another clear example of Valencian modernism from the beginning of the century. This market was designed and built by the architect Francisco Mora Berenguer between 1914 and 1916. The market was inaugurated on December 24, 1916, Christmas Eve, and according to reports from the municipal newspapers, this was a spectacular event: from the bullring came a cavalcade formed by the Mounted Municipal Guard, with the city's kettledrums and bugles, the Rock of Fame, the market vendors, the "La Pesca" groups, "Poultry and meat" and "Flowers, fruits and vegetables", a float occupied by the queen of the Festival accompanied by her court of honor. The Municipal Band") and a section of the Civil Guard "Guardia Civil (Spain)") closed the celebration. It should be noted that the market building was declared a National Monument.[268].
In the port area there is another of the most important works of Valencian modernism, the Sheds of the Port of Valencia. The author and promoter of them was the Engineer Federico G. de Membrillera, deputy director of the port of Valencia at the end of the century. Until the second half of the century, the only existing port infrastructure in the port of Valencia had been a simple wooden dock, and due to the increase in merchandise traffic in the port, the need to expand the infrastructure was seen, so the construction of six sheds "Shed (shed)") was planned. Although the engineers demanded that ornamentation take precedence, the lack of budget at that time simplified the project. Despite this, the decoration of Valencian modernism stands out, with reliefs alluding to commerce and navigation and polychrome ceramic mosaics on typical Valencian themes.[269].
The Nueve de Octubre bridge was built in the eighties of the century by the then still unrecognized Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, this being the architect's first work in the city. This bridge stands out for the originality of its shapes and for the four abstract sculptures that adorn its entrances.
Another work designed by Santiago Calatrava is the complex formed by the Exhibition Bridge and the Alameda metro station, which is located under the old channel of the Turia River, which you have to go down to access the station. These works were inaugurated in 1995.[215] As a curious note, it should be noted that the construction of both elements was simultaneous, with the work on the metro station being carried out in its final location, while the work on the bridge was carried out on nearby land and was subsequently moved to its current location above the station.
Finally, we must highlight the complex of the City of Arts and Sciences,[18] designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, one of the most popular areas of the city. This complex was inaugurated over a decade, from April 16, 1998 when the Hemisférico was inaugurated, until October 31, 2009 with the opening of the Ágora "Ágora (Valencia)"), although currently some details of this building are still being finalized due to demolition problems on the external face of its construction. The works have raised a lot of controversy due to their cost overruns and technical failures.[270].
Finally, we must highlight the international positioning of Valencia in terms of design[309], with a tradition that goes back centuries in terms of silk, ceramics, the furniture industry or graphic arts where creativity advanced all these guilds linked to crafts. This process of innovation through creativity and design had its period of greatest effervescence in the 80s and 90s of the century with recognition that came with the designation of Valencia as World Capital of Design[310] in 2022 and the subsequent recognition by UNESCO as a City of Design[311] including Valencia in the global Network of Creative Cities.
«Nit d'Albades»
«dansà»
Descoberta
Infants
Historically, the Corpus Christi procession has been considered the great festival of Valencia, especially since the last third of the century. The history of this festival begins in the year 1355, when Hugo de Fenollet was bishop. This year a solemn general procession was held, in which the civil and religious authorities of the city accompanied the Blessed Sacrament, following the itinerary planned by the Juries, a good part of which is preserved today. This festival has been celebrated every year since then, with the exception of some years, such as those of the Second Spanish Republic (between 1931 and 1935), when the government forced the festival to take place only inside the churches,[319] as well as in the post-war years, when the festival was limited only to the religious part. So it was not until the 50s and 60s of the century when a group of neighbors once again promoted the procession to recover the old splendor of this festival, through the so-called "Grup de Mecha", this being the predecessor of what is currently the Association of Friends of Corpus Christi of the City of Valencia.[320].
During the month of July, to liven up the capital and attract outsiders, the City Council proposed holding an annual fair and exhibition of all kinds of products. Thus, on July 21, 1871, the first July Fair was inaugurated with an eye-catching parade, pavilions, plant exhibitions and sales of products in general. In 1891, the Battle of Flores was established, taking place on the last Sunday of July in the Alameda at around 8 p.m. Important music band competitions, bullfights, music concerts and many other activities are also held.[321].
As stated in the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community, on this day the Valencian Community Day is celebrated, to commemorate the triumphal entry of King James I to the city and the dedication of the main mosque as a church-cathedral.[322] This celebration has a long tradition in the city, since it has been celebrated since the 19th century, when it was established by King James II of Aragon.[322] The most significant acts of this festival are the singing of the «Te Deum» in the cathedral, the civic procession of the Señera and the tribute to King Jaime I, who granted the Fueros to the city and its kingdom, all of these events being presided over by the Royal Señera.
This day, the festival of San Dionisio is also celebrated, also known as the Valencian Valentine's Day. In this celebration, the lover usually gives his beloved the typical mocaorà, marzipan figures in the shape of fruits and pyrotechnic devices (the lollipop and the thunderer), wrapped in a handkerchief.
The traditional Valencian woman's costume has a long tradition in history. It appeared in the 20th century and began as a work suit for Valencian farmers, but with the passage of time it was transformed and evolved into more elegant clothing that was used on special occasions. In short, the current dress is the party dress that Valencian women wore centuries ago. Among its variants we find the costume of the century, more French-style; those of coteta, closer to those of huertana; and the one that emerged in the 19th century, called farolet because of its lantern-shaped sleeves. In her hair, a woman can wear one bun "Chignon (hairstyle)") or three. A larger one is worn on the back of the head, while two smaller ones, the rollers, are worn on the temple. The buns are held with passing needles and decorated with combs, the pinta for the back bun and the rascamonyos for the buns.[323].
While the traditional male clothing is the saragüell suit, which appears under the name sarawil in Andalusian Muslim texts from the 19th century. This dress is placed directly on the body and other clothing may or may not be placed on it. The fabric of this clothing is the canvas for work days, and on holidays it is covered with a second wool or silk underwear, known as negrilla. Another of the traditional men's clothing is the torrentí suit, which is characterized by having pants that are tighter to the leg and a xopetí, a type of vest or jacket. On the head, the man usually wears a mocador (handkerchief), a cap or a cap, the latter made of crochet, which are complemented with different caps and hats, such as the rodina, the cossiol or the montera.[324].
• - Traditional Valencian hairstyle.
• - Couple dressed as Valencians.
• - Women dressed as falleras.
• - Boys and men of Valencians.
The Water Court of Valencia, also known as Tribunal de la Vega de Valencia is a customary irrigation court, which is in charge of settling conflicts over irrigation water between farmers of the Irrigation Communities of the irrigation ditches that are part of the Vega de Valencia, except for the Real de Moncada ditch. Its origin is totally unknown, although it is most likely an evolution based on previous Andalusian traditions, although some historians such as José Vicente Gómez Bayarri "place its origins in Roman times.[325] In September 2009 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.[21].
This court is made up of a representative of each of the Irrigation Communities that are part of the Vega de Valencia, the so-called trustees. One of the trustees is the president, who is elected for an indefinite period of time. Traditionally the presidents of the Court are alternately the trustees of Favara and that of Tormos.
Every Thursday of the year the Court meets with its advisors in the Casa Vestuario in the Plaza de la Virgen, but at 12 o'clock at noon the Court is formally constituted in the Puerta de los Apóstoles of the Cathedral of Valencia. It is then that the sheriff, with the president's permission, calls those accused of each of the ditches, with the traditional phrase: "denunciats de la drought of...!". The trial takes place quickly, orally and entirely in Valencian.
Modern bullfighting began to develop in the 19th century, when the bullfight began to set the foundations for what would later be the bullfights known in contemporary times, considered as art and liturgy. The first bullfights held in Valencia date back to the year 1085.[326].
In the century bullfighting was consolidated as an art subject to a series of rules and regulations.[327] The bullfighters became professional and began to compete with the picadors, who until then enjoyed greater relevance in the posters. Livestock farms begin to gain prominence and cities are provided with new stable plazas, such as the Valencia bullring, which was built between the years 1850 and 1860[326] on the site of a previous plaza that, due to budget problems, was never completed.
In Valencia there is also a Bullfighting Museum, which was founded in 1929 with funds from the donation of Luis Moróder Peiró and the bullfighter José Bayard Badila, who for years collected a significant number of materials and objects from Valencian bullfighting of the century and the beginning of the century.[328].
It should be noted that Valencia hosts one of the first bullfighting festivals of the year, the San José Fair,[329] in which bullfights, bullfights and rejoneo are held with the best bullfighter posters, and the San Jaime Fair or July Fair,[330] which premiered on July 21, 1871 as an alternative proposed by the city council to attract tourists and prevent residents from leaving the city empty due to the heat of the year. Valencian summer.[321].
Valencia is the birthplace of well-known bullfighting figures such as Manuel Granero, Manolo Montoliu, the bullfighter María de los Ángeles Hernández Gómez, Luis Francisco Esplá, José Mari Manzanares, Vicente Ruiz el Soro, Enrique Ponce, José María Manzanares or Román Collado.[331].
The Valencia Basket Club plays in the ACB League, the highest competition in Spanish basketball.[347] Founded in 1986, the club is heir to the basketball section of the Valencia Club de Fútbol, until the football team's relegation to the second division in 1986, at which time the basketball club took on its own identity. It was sponsored by the company Pamesa, so it was commonly known until 2009 as Pamesa Valencia. From 2009 to 2011, the Valencian company Power Electronics sponsored the team, receiving the name Power Electronics Valencia Basket Club. He plays his matches at the Roig Arena in Valencia, with capacity for 15,600 spectators, and wears an orange shirt and pants. His reserve luggage is gray pants and t-shirt.
The other basketball team in the city was Ros Casares Valencia, one of the participants in the Women's Basketball League. This team was founded in 1996, upon inheriting the sporting rights of Popular Bàsquet Godella,[348] although it was not until the 1998/1999 season when the Ciudad Ros Casares company took over the reins of the team, and it disappeared in 2012. The first time it won a league with the current name was in 2001, although its best results came several years later, by achieving a triplet during the seasons. 2003/04, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10. This is a club with a large and dedicated fan base, which is why it received the Nostresport award for the best fan base in 2009. It also played its matches at the Fuente de San Luis Municipal Pavilion in Valencia.
The Real Club Náutico de Valencia was founded in 1903, so it has the honor of being one of the oldest in Spain.[349] Currently the club has one of the most modern and complete nautical facilities, with more than 400,000 m² of surface, and 1,252 berths, which house one of the best cruise fleets in the Valencian Community. The Club Náutico marina is also the venue for important competitions within the national calendar, attended by the best sailors, both cruising and in the different modalities of dinghy sailing (470 "470 (sailing"), optimist, snipe, etc.). In addition to all the port services, the Valencia Yacht Club has a very large headquarters, Olympic swimming pool, children's playground, sports center, fronton "Frontón (sports)") and tennis and squash courts.[350].
In Valencia there is also an athletics team, the Valencia Club de Atletismo. This team was born in May 1924 within Valencia CF. Throughout its more than 80 years of existence, its projection as well as its sporting successes have marked a milestone in the history of Valencian, national and European sports.[351].
The Valencia Tennis Club was founded in 1905 under the name of Sporting Club. Its facilities were initially located in Alameda, and it had two tennis courts. This Sporting was one of the clubs that formed the Barcelona Lawn-Tennis Association, a group of Clubs that gave rise to the current Royal Spanish Tennis Federation.[352].
The Real Aeroclub Valencia was born in July 1931, although it has its origins in the Valencia Regional Exhibition of 1909, and in the successive air festivals held in Valencia throughout those years. It currently has its headquarters on a plot in the industrial zone at the head of runway 22 of the Manises airport, which consists of a 1,500 m² hangar on the ground floor and offices, classroom, store and social premises on the upper floor, with the same surface area.[353].
In addition to this, up to four teams from the city have competed in the Honor Division of the Spanish Rugby League: Tatami Rugby Club, CAU Valencia, Les Abelles Rugby Club and Rugby Club Valencia, the latter winning the national league championship in 1983.
During 2011 Valencia was the European capital of sport,[354] an award given by the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES).[355] In addition to this, several world-class sports championships and tournaments are held, or have been held, in the city of Valencia. One of the most important is the Formula 1 European Grand Prix,[28] which was held at the Valencia Street Circuit from 2008 to 2011. The Valencia street circuit runs through the inner dock of the port and then heads towards the Grao and the Nazaret neighborhood "Nazaret (Valencia)"). In 2008 and 2009 the Grand Prix was held in the month of August, but due to the high temperatures that were reached, it was decided that starting in 2010 it would be held in the month of June.
Another major sporting event is the Spanish Grand Prix of the Global Champions Tour of Equestrian,[30] which was held from 2009 to 2011.[30] This GP is a test of the most prestigious international equestrian circuit in the world, which is made up of several top-class international jumping competitions. This tournament is made up of ten grand prizes, which are held in ten different cities, such as Hamburg, Monte Carlo, Rio de Janeiro, etc. The competition took place in the City of Arts and Sciences, in the area of the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum.
Also notable is the Valencia Open 500,[29] successor to the Valencian Community Tennis Open, and one of the 3 ATP tournaments held in Spain along with the Madrid Masters and the Conde de Godó in Barcelona. This tournament was played on clay at the facilities of the Valencia Tennis Club from 2002 to 2008, when the tournament rose in category with the restructuring of the ATP calendar, becoming one of the ATP Open 500. With the change in category, the tournament moved to the Ágora of the City of Arts and Sciences, where it began to be played on hard court.
In the past, the city has also hosted other sporting events of great importance, such as the XII World Indoor Athletics Championships,[356] which was held between March 7 and 9, 2008 at the Luis Puig Velodrome Palace. This event was a success in participation since the record of countries and athletes participating in a world indoor track championship was broken. Similarly, Valencia also hosted the III European Police and Firefighters Games"),[357][358] which lasted from June 7 to 13, 2010.
Due to the importance of the Mestalla stadium, the city has also hosted several matches of the main football tournaments, since the Mestalla stadium was chosen as the headquarters of the Spanish team for its matches in the first phase of the 1982 Football World Cup and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Likewise, Mestalla has also been the venue for several finals of the Copa del Rey, specifically in the 1928-29 editions, 1935-36, 1989/90, 1992-93, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2008-09, 2010-11[359] and 2013-14.[360].
Two editions of the America's Cup of sailing "Copa América (regatta)"), better known as the America's Cup, have been held in Valencia, which is the oldest sports trophy in the world, with 152 years of history and which brings together the excellence of the world of sailing. The first edition of the America's Cup held in Valencian waters was the 32nd "Copa América 2007 (regatta)"), and was held in 2007, while the second to be held was the number 33 "Copa América 2010 (regatta)"), which was held in 2010.
Along with Valencia, Genoa and Marseille were the other candidates to host the event, but finally the jury chose Valencia, due to its climatological and geographical conditions. The choice of the city was due to the fact that the winner of the 31st edition of this competition was the Nautical Society of Geneva, that is, the representative of a landlocked country, which is why it had to seek headquarters in a third country.[26].
Between 2004 and 2007 and thanks to the regattas of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the best teams in the world of sailing competed in the waters of the port of Valencia, among which the winner was Emirates Team New Zealand, which faced Alinghi in the final.[361] Finally Alinghi won the America's Cup for the second consecutive time in the seventh regatta, held on the 3rd of July, beating the challenging New Zealander by one second in what was his fifth and final victory of the series, in the best of nine races.[362].
Because the winner was once again the Geneva Nautical Society, the winners of the 32nd America's Cup announced on July 25, 2007 that Valencia would host the next edition in 2009. However, due to the judicial process in which the competition was involved, in 2008 the contract signed by the public managing entity with the Alinghi team was bilaterally cancelled. Finally, after the court ruling, Valencia once again hosted this competition "Copa América 2010 (regatta)"),[27] which was scheduled for the best of 3 events.
The tests were to begin on February 8, 2010, but on the 8th and 10th the start could not take place because the wind was weak and variable on the 8th and because the waves were over 2 m high on the 10th. On the 12th the first regatta was held, with USA 17, from the BMW Oracle Racing team, as the winner. It was not a very contested regatta since the Americans won by more than fifteen minutes ahead.[363] On the 14th the same script was repeated again. Although Alinghi 5 remained in the lead for much of the first beat, USA 17, using its greater speed and better strategy, took the lead and was more than five minutes ahead of the Swiss union at the finish line. The Copa América returned to the United States 15 years later.[364].
In addition to all the professional events, the city of Valencia celebrates several popular sporting events throughout the year, such as Valencian Pelota Day,[365] which has been held in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento of Valencia "Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Valencia)") every September since 1992. This event consists of different events throughout the morning, the highlight being the duel between the Valencian team and another international team.
The Valencia Triathlon[366] also has a long tradition in the city, since the Valencia Community is a pioneer in this sport and 2nd in number of licenses nationwide (Spain has 20,000 federated members, although it is estimated that the number of fans is much higher). The Valencia Triathlon is a sports festival, a high quality event for all its participants, which consists of three events: running through the City of Arts and Sciences; swim in the Valencia Marina dock; and finally riding a bike around the Formula 1 Circuit. In Valencia, as in other cities, a Popular Saint Sylvester is celebrated every December 30, in which hundreds of costumed athletes participate.
Also important is the popular marathon of Valencia,[367] organized since 1981 by the Sociedad Deportiva Correcaminos, with the collaboration of the Municipal Sports Foundation and many other organizing entities. What began with the first edition in the early 80s, with a few athletes dodging traffic, has become a high-level sporting event, whose organization involves more than 1,600 people, to serve almost 4,000 participants. While the Valencia half marathon,[368] measuring 21,097.50 m in length, also has a long tradition. This race has also been organized by the Correcaminos Sports Society since 1990, and its circuit has been approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, which runs on the city's asphalt.
Finally, we must highlight the City of Valencia Air Festival, which was held from 2003 to 2009 on Malvarrosa beach.[369] Airplanes from all over Spain, international, and the air force participated in this festival, bringing together a crowd of fans and spectators to watch the aerial acrobatics of the aerobatic champions of Spain, the Águila Patrol, and the fighters of the Spanish air force, which Parachutists, airplanes from the Valencia Aeroclub, and the CRJ-200 from Air Nostrum joined in, as well as classic and historic airplanes belonging to the Valencian Community Air Foundation.