València Valencia
Flag Coat of Arms
Location
Coordinates : 39°29′0″N, 0°22′0″W Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2)
General information
Native name	València (Valencian)
Spanish name	Valencia
Founded	137 BC
Postal code	46000-46080
Website	http://www.valencia.es/
Administration
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Valencia
Province	Valencia
Administrative Divisions	16
Neighborhoods	70
Mayor	Rita Barberá Nolla (PP)
Geography
Land Area	134. Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language A postal code (known in various countries as a post code, postcode, or ZIP code) is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages The term administration, as used in the context of Government, differs according to Jurisdiction. In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Valencian Community ( Valencian and official Comunitat Valenciana; Comunidad Valenciana is an Autonomous community located in central to In addition to its autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty Provinces. Valencia ( Spanish: Valencia /ba'lenθja/ Valencian: València /va'łen A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Rita Barberá Nolla is the mayor of Valencia Spain from 1991 Member of the National Council of the People's Party of Spain and Representant in the Valencian regional The People's Party ( Spanish: Partido Popular, PP) is the main right Political party in Spain. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 65 km²
Altitude	15 m AMSL
Population
Population	810,064[2] (2007)
- rank in Spain:	3rd
Density	5,916 hab. Altitude is the Elevation of a point or object from a known level or datum (plural data The term above mean sea level ( AMSL) refers to the Elevation (on the ground or Altitude (in the Air) of any object relative to the In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different /km² (2006)

Valencia (Spanish: Valencia [baˈlenθja];^[1] Valencian: València [vaˈɫɛnsia]) is the capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia and its province. Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language The Valencian Community ( Valencian and official Comunitat Valenciana; Comunidad Valenciana is an Autonomous community located in central to Valencia ( Spanish: Valencia /ba'lenθja/ Valencian: València /va'łen It is the third largest city in Spain. It forms part of an industrial area on the Costa del Azahar. Costa del Azahar ( Spanish for Orange Blossom Coast) or Costa dels Tarongers ( Catalan for Orange tree Coast) is the name for the coast

The estimated population of the city of Valencia proper was 810. 064[3] as of 2007 official statistics. Population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,738,690 as of 2007. A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large Metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central As of 2007, the mayor of Valencia is Rita Barberá Nolla. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Rita Barberá Nolla is the mayor of Valencia Spain from 1991 Member of the National Council of the People's Party of Spain and Representant in the Valencian regional

Valencia has a very changeable Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers, mild humid winters and stormy autumn and springs. A Mediterranean climate is one that resembles the Climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, which includes over half of the area with this climate type world-wide ^[2]

Contents 1 Name 2 History 3 Architecture 4 Squares and gardens 5 Famous people born in Valencia and Valencia province 6 Economy 6.1 Port 6.2 Tourism 7 Demographics 8 Culture 8.1 Languages 8.2 Nightlife 8.3 Food 9 Transportation 10 Districts of Valencia 11 Gallery 12 Town Twinning (Sister Cities) 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

Name

The original Latin name of the city was Valentia (/wa'lentia/), meaning "Strength", "Vigor", the city being named after Emperor Valens, who ordered the foundation of a new colony in Hispania, taken care by later Emperor Theodosius I. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. This article is about the Roman Emperor For other people called Valens see Valens Flavius Julius Valens ( Latin: DOMINVS Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar Flavius Theodosius (January 11 347 – January 17 395 also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great ( Greek: Θεοδόσιος Α΄ During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية Balansiya) in Arabic. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language

By regular sound changes this has become Valencia (/ba'lenθja/) in Castilian Spanish and València (/va'ɫɛnsia/) in Valencian. Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language One possible pronunciation in Valencian /va'lensia/.

History

The city of Valencia, originally named Valentia, is in the region known in ancient days as Edetania. The Roman historian Florus says that Junius Brutus, transferred there (140 BC) the soldiers who had fought under him. Florus, Roman Historian, lived in the time of Trajan and Hadrian. Later it was a Roman military colony. In punishment for its adherence to Sertorius it was destroyed by Pompey, but was later rebuilt, and Pomponius Mela says that it was one of the principal cities of Hispania Tarraconensis province. Quintus Sertorius ( 123 BC - 72 BC) was a Roman statesman and general born in Nursia, in Sabine territory around 124 BC Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, commonly known as Pompey /'pɑmpi/ Pompey the Great or Pompey the Triumvir ( Classical Latin abbreviation Pomponius Mela, who wrote around AD 43, was the earliest Roman Geographer. Hispania Tarraconensis was one of three Roman provinces in Hispania. The city was founded by the Romans in 137 BC on the site of a former Iberian town, by the river Turia. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Iberians were a set of peoples that Greek and Roman sources (among others Hecataeus of Miletus, Avienus, Herodot and Strabo

The city has been occupied by the Visigoths, Moors and the Aragonese. The Visigoths (Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, or Wisi were one of two main branches of the Goths, an East The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent The Crown of Aragon was a permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon.

The Moors occupied the territory peacefully in 709 A. D. When Islamic culture settled in, Valencia - then Balansiya - prospered thanks to a booming trade in paper, silk, leather, ceramics, glass and silver-work. The architectural legacy from this period is abundant in Valencia and can still be appreciated today in the remains of the old walls, the Baños del Almirante bath house, Portal de Valldigna street and even the Cathedral and the tower, El Micalet, which was the minaret of the old mosque.

After the death of Almanzor and the unrest that followed 'the Cid' conquered Valencia for a short period on 15 June 1094 - July 1099. This article is about the Andalusian Muslim general and statesman Al-Mansur (938 - 1002 Rodrigo (or Ruy) Díaz de Vivar (c 1040 Vivar, near Burgos &ndash 10 July 1099, Valencia) known as Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Events in July The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England ended July 9 (date varied He turned nine mosques into churches, and installed as bishop the French monk Jérôme (this victory was immortalised in the Lay of the Cid). El Cantar de Mio Cid is the oldest preserved Spanish epic poem ( epopeya) On the death of the Cid (July 1099), his wife, Doña Ximena, retained power for two years, when Valencia was besieged by the Almoravids, and the city returned to the Almoravids in 1102. Events in July The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England ended July 9 (date varied The Almoravids, was a Berber dynasty from the Sahara that spread over a wide area of North-Western Africa and the Iberian peninsula during Although the 'Emperor of Spain' Alfonso drove them from the city, he was not strong enough to hold it. The Christians set fire to it, abandoned it, and the Almoravid Masdali took possession of it on 5 May 1109. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John The event was commemorated in a poem by Ibn Khafaja in which he thanked Yusuf ibn Tashfin for the liberation of the city. Ibn Khafaja(h or Abu Ishaq Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Abu Al-Fath Ibn Khafajah (1058-1138/9 of Alzira was one of the most famous poets of Al-Andalus during the Yusuf ibn Tashfin or Tashafin (reigned c 1061 - 1106 (يوسف بن تاشفين or يوسف بن تشفين was an ethnic Berber and Al-Murabitoon ruler The Almoravid and the Almohad dynasty would rule Valencia for more than a century. The Almoravids, was a Berber dynasty from the Sahara that spread over a wide area of North-Western Africa and the Iberian peninsula during The Almohad Dynasty (From Arabic الموحدون al-Muwahhidun, i In 1238 King James I of Aragon the Conqueror, with an army composed of French, English, Germans, and Italians, laid siege to Valencia, and on 28 September in that same year forced a surrender. James I the Conqueror ( Catalan: Jaume el Conqueridor, Aragonese: Chaime lo Conqueridor, Spanish: Jaime el Conquistador Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. 50,000 Moors were forced to leave. Poets like Ibn al-Abbar and Ibn Amira mourned their exile from their beloved Valencia. Ibn al-Abbar, in full Abu Abd Allah Muhammad Ibn al-Abbar (1199 Valencia - 1260 Bougie) was a well-known poet diplomat theologian and scholar from Ibn Amira (1186 Alzira in the province of Valencia - 1251/1259 was a historian Poet, and scholar of law from Al-Andalus during the reign of On 9 October king James, followed by his retinue and army, took possession. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. The principal mosque was purified, Mass was celebrated, and the "Te Deum" sung. James incorporated city and territory into the new formed Kingdom of Valencia, one of the kingdoms forming the Crown of Aragon. The Christian Kingdom of Valencia, located in the Eastern shore of the Iberian Peninsula, was one of the component realms of the Crown of Aragon. The Crown of Aragon was a permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon.

Catholic sources tell that Saint Vincent Ferrer preached so successfully (sometime between 1390 and 1411), converting thousands of Jews, that he was permitted to employ the synagogue for his newly-founded hospital of San Salvador. Saint Vincent Ferrer ( Valencian: Sant Vicent Ferrer; 23 January 1350 &ndash 5 April 1419) was a Valencian PLEASE TAKE NOTE************

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Valencia was one of the major cities in the Mediterranean. The writer Joanot Martorell, author of Tirant lo Blanch, and the poet Ausias March are famous Valencians of that era. Joanot Martorell (1413 &ndash 1468 was the Valencian Author of the novel Tirant lo Blanch, which is written in Valencian (Martorell Tirant lo Blanc is an epic romance written by the Valencian knight Joanot Martorell, supposedly finished by Martí Ausiàs March (c 1397 - March 3, 1459) Valencian Poet, was born in Gandia ( Valencia) towards the end of the

The first printing press in the Iberian Peninsula was located in Valencia. The first printed Bible in a Romance language, Valencian, was printed in Valencia circa 1478, attributed to Bonifaci Ferrer. Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language See Spread of printing.

Valencian bankers loaned funds to Queen Isabella for Columbus' trip in 1492. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer

Revolta de les Germanies ("brotherhoods") 1519–1522.

Expulsion of Moriscos in 1609. A morisco (Spanish " Moor -like" or mourisco (Portuguese was any Muslim of Spain or Portugal

During the War of the Spanish Succession, Valencia sided with Charles of Austria. In the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 several European powers combined to stop French succession to the Spanish throne and what would likely have been a resulting On 24 January 1706, Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough, 1st Earl of Monmouth, led a handful of English cavalrymen into the city after riding south from Barcelona, capturing the nearby fortress at Sagunto, and bluffing the Spanish Bourbon army into withdrawal. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1706 ( MDCCVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl of Peterborough and 1st Earl of Monmouth, KG, PC (1658 – 25 October 1735) was an English nobleman and

The English held the city for 16 months and defeated several attempts to expel them. English soldiers advanced as far as Requena on the road to Madrid.

After the victory of the Bourbons at the Battle of Almansa (25 April 1707), the English army evacuated Valencia and the city subsequently lost its privileges or furs. The Battle of Almansa, fought on April 25, 1707, was one of the most decisive engagements of the War of the Spanish Succession. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1707 ( MDCCVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a

During the Peninsular War Valencia was besieged by the French under Marshal Suchet from Christmas day 1811, until it fell on January 8 the next year. The Peninsular War or Spanish War of Independence pitted an alliance of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal against France Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army

The last victim of the Spanish inquisition, a local schoolteacher called Cayetano Ripoll, was executed in Valencia in July 1826 accused being a deist and freemason. Cayetano Ripoll, a poor schoolmaster from Valencia, Spain, was Garroted or hanged to death on 31 July 1826 for allegedly teaching Deism is the belief that a supreme God exists and created the physical universe and that religious truths can be arrived at by the application of reason alone without dependence on revelation

During the Spanish Civil War, the capital of the Republic was moved to Valencia, and the city suffered from the blockade and siege by Franco's forces. The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict in Spain that started after an attempted Coup d'état committed by parts of the army against the government of However, the postwar period was hard for Valencians. During the Franco years, speaking or teaching Valencian was prohibited (in a significant reversal it is now compulsory for every child studying in Valencia). Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language

In 1957 the city suffered a severe flood by the Turia River, with 5 metres (16 ft) in some streets. One consequence of this was that a decision was made to drain and reroute the river and it now passes around the Western and southern suburbs of the city. A plan to turn the drained area into a motorway was dropped in favour of a picturesque 7 km (4 mi) park which bisects the city.

Valencia was granted Autonomous Statutes in 1982.

Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic America's Cup yacht race becoming the first European city to do so. The America’s Cup is the most prestigious Regatta and Match race in the sport of Sailing, and the oldest active Trophy in international The America's Cup matches took place in Summer 2007. Challenger selection - Louis Vuitton Cup 2007 See also Louis Vuitton Cup 2007 In preparation for the 2007 America's Cup there were a series of regattas leading Following a successful tournament, the city will host the event again in 2009.

On 3 July 2006, just days before a Catholic celebration to be led by Pope Benedict, Valencia was the scene of a subway accident in which over 40 people died. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The 2006 Valencia suburban accident occurred in Valencia, Spain 's third largest city on July 3, 2006, at 1 P The investigation is still ongoing.

On 9 July 2006, during Mass at Valencia's Cathedral, Our Lady of the Forsaken Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI used, at the World Day of Families, the Santo Caliz, a 1st-century Middle-Eastern artifact believed by many to be the Holy Grail. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger According to Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish plate or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers It was supposedly brought to that church by Emperor Valerian in the 3rd century, after having been brought from Jerusalem by St. Peter to Rome. The Santo Caliz ("Holy Chalice") is a simple, small stone cup. Its base was added in medieval times and consists of fine gold, alabaster, and gem stones^[3].

On 3 July 2007, Alinghi defeats Team New Zealand, and successfully defends the America's Cup. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 22 days after, on 25 July 2007, the leaders of the Alinghi syndicate, holder of the America's Cup, officially announced Valencia would be the host city for the 33rd America's Cup, to be carried out on June 2009. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Alinghi is a Coined name of the syndicate set up by Ernesto Bertarelli to challenge for the America's Cup. The America’s Cup is the most prestigious Regatta and Match race in the sport of Sailing, and the oldest active Trophy in international ^[4]

Architecture

The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Al-Andalus (الأندلس was the Arabic name given to those parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims or The Cathedral, built between the 13th and 15th century, is primarily of Gothic style but contains elements of Baroque and Romanesque architecture. The Cathedral of Valencia (Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral commonly known as the " Seu " in Catalan, is the see of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese See also Gothic art Gothic architecture is a style of Architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period. Baroque architecture, starting in the early 17th century in Italy, took the humanist Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical Regional characteristics of Romanesque architecture|Romanesque art Romanesque architecture is the term that is used to describe the architecture of Middle Ages Europe which Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La Virgen De Los Desamparados). The Latin word basilica (derived from Greek, Basiliké Stoà, Royal Stoa) was originally used to describe a Roman The 15th century Serrano and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city.

UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe. This article is concerned with architectural aspects of Modernism; for the most recent developments in architecture see Contemporary architecture. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in art deco style. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial

World-renowned (and city-born) architect Santiago Calatrava produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish Architect, The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencian Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Spanish or City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble IMAX (short for Image MAXimum is a Film format created by Canada 's IMAX Corporation that has the capacity to display images of far greater size and Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the center of the city. The Music Palace (Palau De La Música) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.

The cathedral was called in the early days of the Reconquista Iglesia Mayor, then Seo (from Latin sedes, i. e. (archiepiscopal) see), and in virtue of the papal concession of 16 October, 1866, it is called the Basilica metropolitana. It is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood. In Gothic times, it seems to have been dedicated to the most Holy Saviour; the Cid dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin; King Jaime the Conqueror did likewise, leaving in the main chapel the image of the Blessed Virgin which he carried with him and which is believed to be the one which is now preserved in the sacristy. Rodrigo (or Ruy) Díaz de Vivar (c 1040 Vivar, near Burgos &ndash 10 July 1099, Valencia) known as James I the Conqueror ( Catalan: Jaume el Conqueridor, Aragonese: Chaime lo Conqueridor, Spanish: Jaime el Conquistador The Moorish mosque, which had been converted into a Christian church by the conqueror, appeared unworthy of the title of the cathedral of Valencia, and in 1262 Bishop Andrés de Albalat laid the cornerstone of the new Gothic building, with three naves; these reach only to the choir of the present building. Bishop Vidal de Blanes built the magnificent chapter hall, and Jaime de Aragón added the tower, called "Miguelete" because it was blessed on St. Michael's day in 1418, which is about 166 feet (51 m) high and finished at the top with a belfry.

In the fifteenth century the dome was added and the naves extended back of the choir, uniting the building to the tower and forming a main entrance. Archbishop Luis Alfonso de los Cameros began the building of the main chapel in 1674; the walls were decorated with marbles and bronzes in the over-ornate style of that decadent period. At the beginning of the eighteenth century the German Conrad Rudolphus built the façade of the main entrance. The other two doors lead into the transept; one, that of the Apostles in pure pointed Gothic, dates from the fourteenth century, the other is that of the Paláu. The additions made to the back of the cathedral detract from its height. The eighteenth century-restoration rounded the pointed arches, covered the Gothic columns with Corinthian pillars, and redecorated the walls. The Corinthian order is one of the Classical orders of Greek and Roman Architecture, characterized The dome has no lantern, its plain ceiling being pierced by two large side windows. There are four chapels on either side, besides that at the end and those that open into the choir, the transept, and the presbyterium. It contains many paintings by eminent artists. A magnificent silver reredos, which was behind the altar, was carried away in the war of 1808, and converted into coin to meet the expenses of the campaign. There are two common meanings of the word reredos. In general architecture the word can mean the back of an open hearth of a fireplace or a screen placed behind a table Behind the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is a beautiful little Renaissance chapel built by Calixtus III. The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere Pope Calixtus III ( December 31, 1378 &ndash August 6, 1458) né Alfonso de Borja, was Pope from April Beside the cathedral is the chapel dedicated to the "Virgen de los desamparados".

In 1409, a hospital was founded and placed under the patronage of Santa María de los Inocentes; to this was attached a confraternity devoted to recovering the bodies of the unfriended dead in the city and within a radius of three miles (5 km) around it. At the end of the fifteenth century this confraternity separated from the hospital, and continued its work under the name of "Cofradia para el ámparo de los desamparados". King Philip IV of Spain and the Duke of Arcos suggested the building of the new chapel, and in 1647 the Viceroy, Conde de Orpesa, who had been preserved from the bubonic plague, insisted on carrying out their project. Philip IV (es ''Felipe IV'' pt ''Filipe III'' ( 8 April, 1605 &ndash 17 September, 1665) was King of Spain between 1621 and A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of the Monarch. The Blessed Virgin was proclaimed patroness of the city under the title of "Virgen de los desamparados" 'Virgin of the abandonees', and Archbishop Pedro de Urbina, on 31 June, 1652, laid the corner-stone of the new chapel of this name. Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization The archiepiscopal palace, a grain market in the time of the Moors, is simple in design, with an inside cloister and a handsome chapel. In 1357 the arch which connects it with the cathedral was built. In the council chamber are preserved the portraits of all the prelates of Valencia.

Among the parish churches those deserving special mention are: Saints John (Baptist and Evangelist), rebuilt in 1368, whose dome, decorated by Palonino, contains some of the best frescoes of Spain; El Templo 'the Temple', the ancient church of the Knights Templar, which passed into the hands of the Order of Montesa and which was rebuilt in the reigns of Ferdinand VI and Charles III; the former convent of the Dominicans, at present the headquarters of the "capital general", the cloister of which has a beautiful Gothic wing and the chapter room, large columns imitating palm trees; the Colegio del Corpus Christi, which is devoted to the exclusive worship of the Blessed Sacrament, and in which perpetual adoration is carried on; the Jesuit college, which was destroyed (1868) by the revolutionary Committee, but rebuilt on the same site; the Colegio de San Juan (also of the Society), the former college of the nobles, now a provincial institute for secondary instruction. The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencian Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Spanish or City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish Architect, The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order The Order of Montesa was a Christian Military order, territorially limited to the Kingdom of Aragón. Ferdinand VI, ( September 23, 1713 &ndash August 10, 1759) King of Spain from 1746 until his death second son of Philip Charles III ( January 20, 1716 – December 14, 1788) was King of Spain 1700–88 (as Carlos III King of Naples and The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order

Squares and gardens

The largest square is the Plaça de l'Ajuntament, which contains the town hall (ajuntament), a cinema which shows classic movies (La Filmoteca), and many restaurants and bars. This article lists the largest city squares ordered by area. Areas given are in Square meters (m² as noted in the articles or the reference provided but may not This is where the noisy fireworks of the mascletà can be heard every afternoon during the Las Fallas. The Falles (in Valencian) are a Valencian traditional celebration in praise of Saint Joseph in Valencia Spain.

The Plaça de la Verge contains the Basilica of the Virgin and the Turia fountain, and is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Around the corner is the Plaça de la Reina, with the Cathedral, orange trees, and many bars and restaurants.

The Turia River was diverted in the 1960s, after severe flooding, and the old river bed is now the Turia gardens, which contain a children’s playground, a fountain, and sports fields. The River Turia ( Valencian: Riu Túria; Spanish: Río Turia; Latin: Turium, Ancient greek Thyrion The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 The Palau de la Música is adjacent to the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences lies at one end.

Other gardens in Valencia include the Real, Monforte, and Botanical gardens.

Famous people born in Valencia and Valencia province

• Pope Alexander VI, Pope from 1492 to 1503. Pope Alexander VI ( 1 January 1431 &ndash 18 August 1503) born Roderic Llançol, later Roderic de Borja i Borja (
• Alfonso III, King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona (as Alfons II). Alfonso III may refer to Alfonso III of Leon -- (866-914 surnamed "the Great" Afonso III of Portugal -- (1210-1279
• Josep Maria Bayarri, linguist, poet and writer. Josep Maria Bayarri Hurtado ( Valencia Spain, 1886-1970 was a writer and poet also known as Xusep Maria Vaiarri.
• Nino Bravo (Birth name, Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis) A legendary spanish singer from the 70s era. Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis ( August 3, 1944 — April 16, 1973) popularly known by the artistic name of Nino Bravo, was an international He died in a car-crash at the age of 28.
• Santiago Calatrava, internationally recognized and award-winning architect. Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish Architect,
• María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, Spanish Socialist Workers' Party politician and the first female First Vice President of Spain. María Teresa Fernández de la Vega Sanz, Doctor of Law (born June 15, 1949) is a Spanish Socialist Workers' Party politician
• James II, King of Aragon. James II may refer to James II Count of La Marche (1370-1438 King Consort of Naples ''James II'' (EP, the second EP by Mancunian
• Joan Lluís Vives, a scholar and humanist.
• Peter III (Peter the Great), King of Aragon. The following people were called Peter III: Peter III of Russia (1728 - 1762 Peter III of Portugal (1717 - 1786 Peter
• Saint Vincent Ferrer, Dominican missionary and logician. Saint Vincent Ferrer ( Valencian: Sant Vicent Ferrer; 23 January 1350 &ndash 5 April 1419) was a Valencian

Economy

Valencia has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last decade, much of it spurred by tourism and the construction industry.

Port

Valencia’s port is one of the biggest on the Mediterranean coast and the third of Spain, handling 20% of Spain’s exports. The main exports are food and drink (the Valencian region is famous for its oranges), furniture, ceramic tiles, fans, textiles and iron products. An orange —specifically the sweet orange —is the Citrus fruit Citrus sinensis ( syn Valencia’s manufacturing sector focuses on metallurgy, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding and brewing. Unemployment is lower than the Spanish average. Small and medium sized industries are an important part of the local economy.

Following the announcement that the 32nd America's Cup is coming to Valencia in 2007, the port underwent radical changes in which the port was divided into two parts, one part remaining unchanged while the other section would be used exclusively for the America's Cup festivities. The two sections are now divided by a wall that goes deep into the water in an attempt to maintain clean water for the America's Cup side.

Tourism

Formerly an industrial city, Valencia saw rapid development that started in the mid-1990s, expanding its cultural and touristic possibilities, which turned it into a vibrant city, restoring old landmarks like the old Towers of the medieval city (Serrano Towers and Quart Towers), monasteries like the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery, which now holds a specialized library, the whole Malvarrossa beach, with the construction of a 4 km (2 mi) long paseo or complete quarters, like the old Carmen Quarter, which has seen extensive renovation. Valencia receives about 840,000 tourists a year.

Another appealing feature of the city is its numerous convention centres, like the Valencia Fair (Feria de Valencia), the Conference Palace (Palau de Congressos) and several 5 star hotels. Conference centre redirects here For the conference facility in Salt Lake City Utah that is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

The city of Valencia and the surrounding area are expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world given that the city of Valencia has been chosen to host the 32nd America's Cup. The America’s Cup is the most prestigious Regatta and Match race in the sport of Sailing, and the oldest active Trophy in international The first America's Cup competitions took place in June and July 2005 and were key attractions during the summer of 2005. According to official data from the organizing committee, as many as 150,000 visitors flocked to Valencia's port each day during the two-week events. The Swiss Alinghi Team, which choose Valencia as host city in the first place, has announced that if they win again, Valencia will be chosen again as the host of the 2009 America's Cup.

Also, on 10 May 2007, Bernie Ecclestone announced that Valencia will be the host of a urban circuit of F1, beginning in 2008, and on 1 June 2007 the contract was signed in the F1 headquarters. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone (born 28 October 1930 near Bungay Suffolk, England) is the president and CEO of The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent race circuit in Valencia Spain which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe Telefónica Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Headquarters (HQ denotes the location where most if not all of the important functions of an organization are concentrated Tickets for the event sold out in 10 days.

Demographics

One notable demographic change in Valencia in the last decade has been the growth in the foreign born population which has risen from 1. 5% in the year 2000 ^[5] to almost 13% in 2007 , a trend that has also occurred in the two larger cities of Madrid and Barcelona ^[6] The main countries of origin were Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Morocco and Romania. ^[7] Although the foreign born population rose by 2. 4% overall between 2006 and 2007 this varied widely with a 13% jump in the number of those born in other E. U. countries and similar rise in those arriving from Central American countries. With the exception of South America, there was a fall in those foreign born residents from other continents, with the largest decrease being a 14% fall in the number of North American born residents. ^[8]

Culture

Valencia is known for Las Fallas, which is a famous local festival held in March, for paella valenciana, traditional Valencian ceramics, intricate traditional dress, and the striking new architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences designed by its own son, architect Santiago Calatrava. The Falles (in Valencian) are a Valencian traditional celebration in praise of Saint Joseph in Valencia Spain. Paella (pa'eʎa is an internationally famous dish consisting of White rice, Meat, Seafood, Beans and Vegetables (depending on The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencian Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Spanish or City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish Architect,

La Tomatina, an annual tomato fight, draws crowds to the nearby town of Buñol in August. La Tomatina is a Food fight Festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain There are also a number of well preserved Catholic fiestas throughout the year. Holy week celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colourful in Spain. Holy Week ( Latin: Hebdomada Sancta or Maior Hebdomada, "Greater Week" in Christianity is the last week before Easter. Valencia has a metro system, the Valencia Metro. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway The Valencian narrow gauge railway or Valencia Metro, is unusual as it has a very large suburban network that crosses the city of Valencia with all trains continuing out to far-flung

Valencia is also famous for its football club Valencia C.F., which won the Spanish league in 2002 and 2004 (in which year it also won the UEFA Cup), and was also a UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2000 and 2001, it is one of the most famous football clubs in Spain and Internationally. Valencia Club de Fútbol (also known as Valencia or Los Che) is a Spanish professional football club based in Valencia The Primera División of the es Liga de Fútbol Profesional ( Professional Football League) commonly known as La Liga or The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club

Languages

The two official languages spoken in the city are Valencian and Spanish. Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language Due to political and demographic pressure in the past, the predominant language is Spanish, but Valencian is spoken in the surrounding metropolitan area of province of Valencia. A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large Metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central Valencia ( Spanish: Valencia /ba'lenθja/ Valencian: València /va'łen In fact the government strongly emphasizes the usage of the local language. It does this by posting all signs and announcements of the Metro in Valencian and Spanish translations in smaller type underneath. Valencian is also used when naming streets. New street signs, when erected, are always given the Valencian name for street (Carrer). However the older street names bearing the Spanish names are only replaced when necessary. This results in a situation where in longer streets both languages can often be seen on street signs.

Nightlife

Valencia is famous for its vibrant nightlife. In the 1980s and 1990s clubbers would follow the "ruta del bacalao" from Madrid to Valencia. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Today, the more alternative/bohemian bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the Carmen, while the student nightlife is found around Blasco Ibanez and the more mainstream weekend nightlife has its clusters in the areas of Canovas and Juan Llorens. In the summer there is also nightlife on the beach and at the Port and Malvarossa Beach. Agua de Valencia is the city's unofficial cocktail. Agua de Valencia (Spanish water of Valencia) is a Cocktail made from a base of Cava or Champagne (wine, Orange juice, Vodka

Food

Valencia is famous for its wonderful gastronomic culture. Paella - a kind of fish and rice dish -, orxata, fartons, buñuelos, Spanish omelette, rosquilletas and squid (calamares) are some examples of typical Valencian foods. Paella (pa'eʎa is an internationally famous dish consisting of White rice, Meat, Seafood, Beans and Vegetables (depending on Horchata or orxata is the name for several kinds of vegetable beverages made of ground Almonds Sesame seeds, Rice, Barley or Buñuelos (alternatively spelled bimuelos, birmuelos, bermuelos, burmuelos, bunyols) are Fritters of a mainly The tortilla de patatas or Spanish omelette is a typical Spanish dish consisting of an egg Omelette with fried Potatoes ( Squid is a popular food in many parts of the world In many of the languages around the Mediterranean sea, squid are called 'calamari' (singular 'calamaro'

Transportation

Public transport is provided by the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) which operates the Valencia Metro and other rail and bus services. Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana or FGV is a Spanish Railway company which operates several Metre gauge lines in the Autonomous The Valencian narrow gauge railway or Valencia Metro, is unusual as it has a very large suburban network that crosses the city of Valencia with all trains continuing out to far-flung

Districts of Valencia

• CIUTAT VELLA: La Seu, La Xerea, El Carmen, El Pilar, El Mercado, San Francisco.
• EXTENSIÒ: Russafa, El Pla del Remei, Gran Via.
• EXTRAMURS: El Botànic, La Roqueta, La Pechina, Arrancapins.
• CAMPANAR: Campanar, Les Tendetes, El Calvari, Sant Pau.
• LA SAÏDIA: Marxalenes, Morvedre, Trinitat, Tormos, Sant Antoni.
• PLA DEL REAL: Exposició, Mestalla, Jaume Roig, Ciutat Universitària
• OLIVERETA: Nou Moles, Soternes, Tres Forques, La Fontsanta, La Luz.
• PATRAIX: Patraix, Sant Isidre, Vara de Quart, Safranar, Favara.
• JESUS: La Raiosa, L'Hort de Senabre, The Covered Cross, Saint Marcelino, Real Way.
• QUATRE CARRERES: Montolivet, En Corts, Malilla, La Font de Sant Lluís, Na Rovella, La Punta, Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Målilla is a small town in Hultsfred Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden. The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencian Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Spanish or City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble
• POBLATS MARÍTIMS: El Grau, El Cabanyal, El Canyameral, La Malva-Rosa, Beteró, Nazaret.
• CAMINS DEL GRAU: Aiora, Albors, Creu del Grau, Camí Fondo, Penya-Roja.
• ALGIROS: Illa Perduda, Ciutat Jardí, Amistat, Vega Baixa, la Carrasca.
• BENIMACLET: Benimaclet, Camí de Vera. Benimaclet is a former village which is now part of the city of Valencia Spain.
• RASCANYA: Orriols, Torrefiel, Sant Llorenç.
• BENICALAP: Benicalap, Ciutat Fallera.

• POBLES DEL NORD: Benifaraig, Poble Nou, Carpesa , Cases de Bàrcena, Mauella, Massarrojos, Borbotó.
• POBLES DE L'OEST: Benimàmet, Beniferri.
• POBLES DEL SUD: Forn d'Alcedo, Castellar-l'Oliveral, Pinedo, el Saler, el Palmar, el Perellonet, la Torre, Faitanar.

Gallery

The Llotja de la Seda	Basilica Virgen de los Desamparados	The Miguelete	The Cathedral of València
Valencia street, with arbour	Marqués de Dos Aigües Palace	L'Hemisfèric, a 3-D Cinema	Walkway
Museum	The City of Arts and Sciences	A falla	A paella cooked in the street
Horchata with fartons	L'Hemisfèric and the Palace of Art by night

Town Twinning (Sister Cities)

Official sister cities list^[9]:

• Mainz, Germany
• Bologna, Italy
• Veracruz, Mexico
• Sacramento, USA
• Valencia, Venezuela
• Odessa, Ukraine

See also

• Archdiocese of Valencia
• Benimaclet
• El Cid
• Ibn al-Abbar
• Spanish wine
• Valencia Metro
• Valencia Street Circuit
• Spread of printing

References

• This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913. The Falles (in Valencian) are a Valencian traditional celebration in praise of Saint Joseph in Valencia Spain. Paella (pa'eʎa is an internationally famous dish consisting of White rice, Meat, Seafood, Beans and Vegetables (depending on Mainz (ˈmaɪ̯nʦ (Mayence is a City in Germany and the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Bologna (boloɲa from Latin Bononia, Bulåggna in Bolognese dialect is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states that constitute the republic of Mexico. Valencia is the capital city of Carabobo State, and the third largest city of Venezuela. ODESSA which stands for the German phrase O rganisation d er e hemaligen SS - A ngehörigen which in turn translates Benimaclet is a former village which is now part of the city of Valencia Spain. Rodrigo (or Ruy) Díaz de Vivar (c 1040 Vivar, near Burgos &ndash 10 July 1099, Valencia) known as Ibn al-Abbar, in full Abu Abd Allah Muhammad Ibn al-Abbar (1199 Valencia - 1260 Bougie) was a well-known poet diplomat theologian and scholar from Spanish wines are wines produced in the southwestern European country of Spain. The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent race circuit in Valencia Spain which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe Telefónica The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia
• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography by William Smith (1856). The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, first published in 1854, was the last of a series of classical dictionaries edited by the English scholar Sir William Smith (1813 &ndash 1893 English Lexicographer, was born at Enfield in 1813 of Nonconformist parents

External links

• Official website of the city of Valencia (Spanish) (English) (Catalan) (French) and in Valencian
• Website Muslim heritage history of medieval Valencia
• Official tourism website of the city of Valencia (Spanish) (English) (German) (French) (Italian) (Japanese) (Chinese) and in Valencian + easy-access static pages in all 8 languages
• Valencia on Wikitravel

Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language Wikitravel is a Web -based project "to create a free, complete up-to-date and reliable worldwide travel guide.

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