Valencia is one of the most important industrial areas in the Mediterranean. It has also become a renowned conference centre in Europe and a significant meeting point for those who wish to develop their businesses or participate in Trade Fairs. Valencia is a cosmopolitan city which is ideal for both commercial trade and cultural exchange. Extremely influenced by its maritime links since its foundation, Valencia today is associated more than ever with the sea and defined by its relationship with it. As a result of this close relationship with the sea, its ability to organise prominent events and the local government’s determination, Valencia was awarded the honour of hosting the 32nd America’s Cup, having been selected ahead of 65 other cities from all over the world. This international event was held in the spring of 2007, and turned the city into a focal point for the Mediterranean where each visitor became a privileged spectator. This attractive city on the Mediterranean shoreline offers visitors mild weather, a rich cuisine, festivals, long standing traditions which are still kept alive today along with a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. Valencia’s History “Valentia Edetanorum” - the city of Valencia - was founded in 138 BC by the Roman Consul Decimus Junius Brutus Galaicus.
In the year 75 BC the city was destroyed during the war between Pompeus and Sertorius but it re-emerged in the first century thanks to the immigration of new citizens and the construction of public buildings. The Barbarian invasions led to the overthrow of the Romans and all trading activity virtually ceased. The city was later dominated by the Visigoths and in the year 711 it was conquered by the Muslims. Abd al-Allah, son of the first emir of Córdoba, settled in Valencia (Balansiya in the Arabic language) and created an autonomous government contributing with their own language, religion and bigger gap between customs. The Middle Ages witnessed the El Cid Campeador laying siege and conquering the city in July 1093 after the death of Balansiya’s King. El Cid died in Valencia on the 10th July 1093 but his wife Doña Jimena along with Ramón Berenger III of Barcelona managed to defend the city until the year 1101 when people were forced to evacuate due to the pressure of the Almoravides.
In 1238, Jaime I re-conquered the city, incorporating the Aragonese Crown and founding the Kingdom of Valencia. The new state was given a legislative forum (the Fueros). During the 15th century the city’s population grew from 40,000 to 75,000, and with it, the construction of significant buildings such as the “Micalet”, the “Torres de los Serranos”, “La Lonja de la Seda” and the “Mercaderes” where the “Taula de Canvis” was located, strengthening trade in the city.
The fall of the Germanic rule damaged the city’s position, but the decisive blow to the economy came with the expulsion of the Moors in 1609. After the Bourbon victory in the battle of Almansa (the 25th April 1707), Felipe V abolished the Fueros, a punishment for having sided with Archduke Carlos of Austria in the War of Succession.
During the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution and the “Proyecto General del Ensanche” carried out by the architects Sebastián Monleón, Antonio Sancho and Timoteo Calvo brought about a population increase but the sharpest rise in the number of inhabitants took place in the 20th century when the figure increased from 213,550 in 1900 to more than 800,000 at present. For a short period of time, during the Civil War (November 1936 - October 1937), Valencia was the capital of republican Spain and home of the Government. In 1957 the city suffered great losses due to flooding which consequently led to the course of the river being diverted. The economy of Valencia gradually began to recover from this setback and started to prosper to where it is now. Today it has one of the most flourishing economies in Spain. The latest growth in the city has come about with the construction of symbolic buildings, like those in the “City of Arts and Sciences”, or with the hosting of major events like the America’s Cup 2007.
The city’s leading monuments are a clear reflection of its rich history and of the different cultures that have lived together in the city. In this sense, “La Lonja de la Seda” (Valencia Silk Exchange) is one of the most significant buildings. Built in the 15th century (1482-1498), this is the city’s most outstanding example of Gothic architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. In the same area visitors to the city can find the Central Market as well as the “Iglesia de los Santos Juanes” (Saint Johns’ Church). The historical centre also contains the “Palau de la Generalitat”, “ Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados” and the Valencia Cathedral with “El Miguelete”, a bell tower adjoining the cathedral which is one of the most symbolic monuments in the city. Also worth seeing is the “Plaza Redonda” which is home to a market. The old town was surrounded by a wall up to the end of the 19th century and two towers (Quart and Serranos Towers) are still standing. Another site of interest is the “L’Eixample” area which contains beautiful “art nouveau” style buildings such as the Colon Market and the North Station, which is a hub in the Spanish rail system. Besides the previously mentioned historical heritage, Valencia has also adapted quickly to modern times. Few cities have been able to so harmoniously combine the remains from earlier periods (dating as far back as 138 B.C.) with the most modern and avant-garde buildings.
Projects like “City of Arts and Sciences”, a scientific and cultural centre, designed by the prestigious Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, reflects the modernity and growth of Valencia. Located close to the original Turia riverbed, it covers an overall area of 350,000 square metres and has become a reference point in the city. On the outskirts of the city natural areas of great interest can be found, such as the Albufera Natural Park, located 15 kilometres to the south of the city and which contains the biggest lake on the Iberian Peninsula. This was caused by a former sea gulf being closed off by a sandbank and the lake being fed by spring water streams, irrigation ditches and other kind of channels called ‘ullals’.
The city is also the venue for important sports events. In addition to hosting in Spring 2007 the 32nd America’s Cup, the oldest sports event worldwide spanning 152 years, Valencia also hosted World Indoor Championships in Athletics in 2008, and in 2009 will host the Open Tenis Valencia from 2 to 8 November.
With regard to Valencian gastronomy, the visitor will find a wide range of dishes and desserts; the star of the show is the world famous “Paella”, made of rice cooked in a myriad of ways, in addition to other products such as chicken and pulse though there are other traditional dishes such as arroz al horno (ovenbaked rice), arroz a banda (rice with shellfish), arroz negro (rice with black squid ink) and la fideuá (made with noodles instead of rice). We should also mention the horchata (a milky drink made from tiger nuts).
