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The City of Arts and Sciences – in Valencia

I really loved this complex in Valencia, set in the Turia Gardens away from the old town. It’s a photographer’s dream but it needs to be seen against a clear blue sky, so I had to seize my opportunity to get out early one morning when the sun was shining.

Lhemisferic with concert hall behind at City of Arts and Sciences
L’Hemisferic with Concert Hall
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia at City of Arts and Culture
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

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Other than wandering round it briefly, I can’t say that we really did it justice, as apart from the Oceanographic, we didn’t enter any of the buildings. Nevertheless, you don’t need to spend money to enjoy it – simply take time to admire the amazing architecture, cool blue pools and metal sculptures in the gardens.

Sculpture in the city of Arts and Sciences
Sculpture in the city of Arts and Sciences
Sculpture in the city of Arts and Sciences
Sculpture in the city of Arts and Sciences

If you want to do more you can take your pick from the concert hall in the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, L’Hemisferic which is an IMAX cinema, the interactive science museum in Museo de Ciences Principe Felipe and L’Umbracle, a shaded walk with plants from around the world.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
L'Umbrcle at City of Arts and Science

I’ve heard it likened to a parking lot for space-ships or a graveyard of dinosaur bones and the struts of the L’Umbracle reminded me of a latticework of fish bones.

L'Umbrcle at City of Arts and Science
L’Umbracle at City of Arts and Sciences
L'Umbrcle at City of Arts and Science
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia at City of Arts and Culture

The architect, Santiago Calatrava is a local boy from Valencia although these days he’s to be found designing grand public projects all over the world. His trademark is the white, broken tiles which you see everywhere from benches to staircases and which glint like sequins in the sun.

L'Hemisferic at City of Arts and Sceinces
L’Hemisferic at City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
L'Hemisferic with concert hall
L’Hemisferic with concert hall and Science museum at City of Arts and Sciences

The place is a magnet for every coach party and school trip in the area, so try and visit early or late in the day, when the crowds have gone home. It looks wonderful lit up at night.

L'Umbracle at City of Arts and Sciences

 

Having a photo in front of Palau de les arts reina sofia
Having a photo in front of Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

For a handy guide to the City of Arts and Sciences click here

For the official website of the City of Arts and Sciences click here

To see all my photos on Flickr of the City of Arts and Sciences click here

Check for the best hotel prices in Valencia and book here

More Valencia articles to enjoy

Home Rooms Deluxe Hostel in Valencia
L’Oceanographic in Valencia
La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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kollerethan

Monday 8th of July 2019

Hi, Great article, love the content, very helpful. Thanks for sharing info.

artdubai.ae

Sunday 9th of December 2018

Nice and informative blog post about arts and science cities. Keep sharing!

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