Next stop in Spain is Valencia. It is an interesting city, located by the sea but not taking advantage of it. Old town was located inland and it does not flow to the sea shore, no direct connection, like in Barcelona, which will be the next post! Save the best for last… OK, back to Valencia. As someone who grew up in the warm water of Mediterranean Sea, I couldn’t help but go and check out the beach and surrounding. To my surprise, the buildings by the beach are neglected. Why not people are taking care of this area, where are the tapas bars that are everywhere but here? If you know the whys, please share with me.

You cannot go to Valencia and not visit the most famous Valencian Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer Santiago Calatrava‘s Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (The City of Arts and Sciences). It is situated at the end of the old riverbed Turia and it is a serious of structures. No wonder it is called the “City”. I only had a chance to see the “City” at night which was breathtaking with the lights and shadows and reflections. I have an excuse to go back to Valencia because I would love to see it during the day to pay more attention to the structural details!

I like Calatrava’s buildings, but I love his bridges. Finally, I saw one with my own eyes and even had the honor of walking on one; El Puente de l’Assut de l’Or. Its 125 meters high pillar is the highest point in the city.

Calatrava solved the lighting issue by placing the lights at the base of the bridges parallel supports without disrupting the architectural design. We should all learn from this and plan with lighting in mind. Lighting should not be an add-on feature after the design is done, but a part of the design itself.

El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (Príncipe Felipe Science Museum) is an interactive museum of science but resembling the skeleton of a whale. Seen on the left of the photo.

L’Hemisfèric is an Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium. Built in the shape of the eye. The front part opens up which is a great feature for warm Valencia days and nights. Also, the reflection on the lake gives even a more “wow” effect.

L’Oceanogràfic is an open-air oceanographic park. It is the largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe. It was built in the shape of a water lily and is the work of architect Félix Candela.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts) is an opera house and performing arts center. Unfortunately they didn’t lit this building at night, so I didn’t see much of it. From here I am complaining to the authorities, please lit this beautiful building at night! We want to see it lit as shown in the postcards!

Did you know that Santiago Calatrava has his main office in Zürich, in addition to Paris and Valencia offices? I didn’t know that! Maybe one day, I will pass by and say “Hola”. I just have to make sure it is not during “siesta”.

To read more on “Architecture – Spanish style” go to the next post.

Photos by © Remzi Gokdag. Click to see more photos of Valencia.