During this journey, you will get to know the great monuments, buildings and sites that mark the historical background of the city. Much of the route will run through the centre of Valencia, a decent trek by foot but a worthy one. You will love discovering the history of the city in all the glory of its life and vividness.
We propose that you start with a stroll from the estación del Norte, enclave of the city transit rail, and which was built in the early 20th century by the architect Demetrio Ribes. Stragetically located in the centre of the city, on Xátiva Street, the railway station has been the axis around which the development of the city has revolved. Beside the station we find the Bullring, built in neoclassic style with 384 symmetrical arches and capacity for 17,000 spectators, erected between 1850 and 1860. The spanish bullfight season reaches its peak during the fiestas of March (Las Fallas) and of July, during the rest of the year being the site of events as varied as concerts, sporting, cultural or recreational days.
Following the Marqués de Sotelo Avenue you will arrive in just 2 minutes at the City Hall Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento), where not only the building which houses the political body of the city lies, but also those civil and institutional constructions most emblematic of the boom time of the city during the 19th and 20th centuries. Of which the Vitalicio building or the Post Office building are two clear examples. Continuing along Maria Cristina Street, at the opposite end to that by which you entered the city hall square, you arrive at the Central Market and the Lonja de la Seda (Guildhall). The first of these, which continues to operate 80 years after its construction (in 1928), is one of the largest markets in Europe hosting a thousand fresh produce stalls. La Lonja, located in front of the Central Market, was built between 1482 and 1498 by the master stonemasons Pere Compte, Johan Yvarra, Johan Corbera and Domingo Urtiaga, being the latter who completed the work in 1548. A national historic monument and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, this building which faithfully represents the richness of the Valencian 15th century, is studied in art history classes for its ribbed vaults supported on slender helical columns of almost 16 metres in height.
Leaving behind the Central Market, now continue along Bolseria Street until you arrive at the junction with Caballeros Street. Turning right and taking this semi-pedestrian street, you will traverse a typical area of the zone of Carmen, a humming festive location whose recreational possibilities we expand upon in the “Valencia Leisure” route. Passing this way you will arrive in less than 5 minutes at the Palace of the Generalitat, a 15th century building which is the current headquarters of the presidency of the valencian government.
Having arrived at this point turn left taking Serranos Street, which will take you to one of the most spectacular historic monuments of the city, the Serranos Towers. These towers, a remnant of the entrance to the city built in 1391, belong to a time when Valencia was an enclave for the privileged, surrounded by a moat.
Continuing alongside the river, you will arrive in just a few seconds at Muro de Santa Ana Street, which will take you straight to the Square of the Virgin, where the Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken and Valencia Cathedral lie next to one another. To access the cathedral you must pass along Micalet Street until you arrive at the main entrance in la Reina Square. You cannot miss this opportunity to visit the cathedral with Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic styles, or to climb the stairs of the Micalet tower to see the spectacular view of Valencia from one of its highest points. Afterwards, walk through the la Reina Square until you arrive at Paz Street, that you must turn down and follow until you reach the junction with Bonaire Street, that will lie to your right. Entering this street, the second turning on your right is de la Nave Street, where the Conjunto del Patriarca is situated, which has a large faculty in renaissance style with a school, seminary and church. Once you have made your visit here, continue along the same street for 5 minutes, where you will arrive, after crossing Saint Vincent the Martyr Street, at the Circular Square (Plaza Redonda). This hub of the craft trade was created in 1850, with a circular wooden structure of great historic tradition.
At this point there yet remains a monument of transcendental nature in your visit to Valencia. This is the Quart Towers, 15 minutes away from where you find the Circular Square. To arrive at the towers, we recommend a stroll through the interior of the Carmen zone, with its narrow streets, low and unique buildings, taking as your exit from the Circular Square los Derechos Street on your right, towards Doctor Collado Square. From here you can view the rear of La Lonja (Guildhall) that you visited previously on this route. Continue straight ahead on la Lonja Street, later take las Danzas Street, and finally turn left to arrive at Marques de Bustianos Square. Continuing straight across Esparto Square, you will arrive at the junction of Caballeros Street and Quart Street. Take the latter road for approximately 5 minutes until its end, where you find the Quart Towers, a classified National Historic Artistic Monument, and which present another example of the ancient gates to the city.
As an additional option we propose the possibility of visiting the Museum of the History of Valencia, located in the Mislata zone, where you will find an interactive journey through the different eras of the city’s history. By using traditional museum methods supported by new technologies, with real artefacts from all the ages, this museum provides you with a historic linear view of of the true evolution of Valencia until the present day. The quickest way to get to the museum is by the Metro, using lines 3 or 5 from Xativa station, taking a train heading for the airport and getting off at Nou d’Octubre station. Once off the the Metro, continue along Nou d’Octubre road until you arrive at the junction of Castán Cobeñas street, where the museum is found a few metres away.
Another unmissable site is Colon Market, a spacious structure that is one of the citys most important modernist buildings. Located at the crossroad of Jorge Juan Street and Cirilo Amorós Street, it is a former fresh produce market and recalls the more traditional times of its history. If you come to visit the market, you could also take the opportunity to go shopping in Valencia’s shopping district, Colon.