Old Valencia Tour

Tour map

The Cathedra: the Iron Gate

Did you know the Cathedral was built on top of a Roman temple, a Visigoth church and a Muslim mosque?

Go into the Cathedral through the Iron Gate.

Where is the Chapel of the Holy Grial?...........................

Where are the Angels? …………………………………………….

How many Angels are there?..........................................

What are the Angels doing?

……………………………………………………………………

Get out through the Iron Gate, straight ahead up to San Vicente street, then turn right.

1. La Catedral: Puerta de los hierros

The Saint Catherine’s Church

Did you know Santa Catalina‘s Tower is Baroque but it is a Gothic church built on a mosque?

On your left there is an “horchatería” of the same name: Santa Catalina.

Find the table at which a Spanish Princess and Queen sat to taste “horchata”.

When did the Spanish “Infanta” visit Santa Catalina?

………………………………….

How many times did she have this sweet drink at Horchatería Santa Catalina ?

…………………………………

Turn left to reach the Plaza Redonda.

2. Iglesia de Santa Catalina

The Round Square

Did you know there is a round square in Stockholm, too?

What kind of items do they sell in this Valencian plaza?

…………………………………………………………..

Leave the Plaza Redonda and go to Plaza Lope de Vega, just behind Santa Catalina’s Church..

Find the narrowest building in Valencia.

What is the colour of its facade?

………………………………………………………. _____________________

3. La plaza redonda

The Silk Market

Did you know that La Lonja, which was built in 15 years, is a World Heritage Site?.

There is a legend written in golden letters on the walls of the large hall.

The legend says: I am a famous house built in 15 years …try and see how good is commerce that…gives its word to the neighbour and does not let him down…The merchant that lives this way will overflow with riches and will afterwards enjoy eternal life”.

In what language is the legend written?

………………………….................................

How many columns are there in the main hall?

………………………………………………………

Go across the street to the Mercado Central.

4. La Lonja

The Central Market

Did you know that it was opened in the 1929 and online shopping is currently available here? _____________________

Look at the dome on the top roof of the Market. What is the symbol of the Market?

……………………………………………………

How many entrances are there in the main facade?

…………………………………………………………..

Is the Market a Modern-Style building or a Neoclassical one?

…………………………………………………………

Go back to the Cathedral.

5. El Mercado Central

The Miguelete bell tower

Did you know that the name “Micalet” is the Valencian for “Miguelete”, and it comes from the name of a bell called “Miquel”?

Climb up the ……… steps and enjoy the view, even of the sea in clear days.

How many steps? …………………………………….

Is the Micalet a Gothic building or a Romanesque one?

……………………………………………………………..

_____________________

Now, head for the Plaza de la Virgen.

6. El Micalet o Miguelete

The Cathedral’s Gothic door

Did you know that the Cathedral has 3 doors,, one Baroque, one Romanesque and this one Gothic?

What statues appear over the door?

………………………………………………………..

And at both sides of the door?

……………………………………………………….

Take the closest place you can at this door.

_____________________

7. La Catedral: Puerta gótica

The Water Court

Did you know that the Water Court comes from, the times of the Caliph Abderraman, 960 AD? _____________________

The Water Court is the oldest democratic institution in Europe and still working nowadays. A few judges elected from the Valencian market gardens settle arguments on watering issues between farmers.

The judges or “síndics” are representatives of the watering canals of Valencian orchards.

How many “sindics” make up the Court?

………………………………………………………..

8. El Tribunal de las Aguas

The Virgin Square

Did you know that the Roman City of Valencia was founded here?

Find a stone commemorating the foundation of Valencia, with a legend by the Roman historian Titus Livius, 1st century AD.

When was Valencia founded?

………………………………………..

Have a look at the Generalitat or seat of the Valencian Government. Then, go round the Cathedral up to the Romanesque door. _____________________

9. Plaza de la Virgen

The Cathedral: Romanesque Door

Did you know the Cathedral started to be built in 1262? _____________________

This is the oldest door.

How many archivolts can you count?

………………………………………………………

Go straight ahead, then turn right onto the Plaza de la Reina. Walk up to Calle de la Paz, and then to Calle Poeta Querol

….

10. La Catedral: Puerta románica

The Marqués de Dos Aguas Palace.

Did you know this Palace holds the most important collection of ceramics in Spain?

If you walk along Calle Poeta Querol, known as the “Golden Mile”, because of the expensive shops , you will find on the right the Marqués de Dos Aguas’s Palace.

Look at its walls.

What material were they built with?

…………………………………………………..

Now look at the main facade.

What material was it built with?

……………………………………………………

Turn left and walk to the Plaza del Patriarca.

11. Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas

The old Valencia University.

Did you know Valencia’s oldest University was built in the 16th century?

Go into the University Court and look at the sculpture in the middle of it.

Who does it represent?

…………………………………………………………………

Head for Calle Colón now. Let’s go to the CEED by underground:. Otherwise you will miss the paella.

We hope you enjoyed this little tour.. _____________________

12. Plaza del Patriarca

MARIA ISABEL MIRÓ PÉREZPABLO MORENO MESEGUER