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The City of Arts and Sciences - Valencia, Spain
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Everyone has seen Baroque, Rennaisance, Gothic...It got boring. How many
people can come back from their holiday and boast about the 22nd century
architecture they enjoyed on their trip?
No pictures will do it justice. This is one of those things you have
to see no matter how much you hate the crowds and tourist traps, like
the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona or Machu Picchu of Peru. Only this time
you are transported into the future, not into the past.
The City of Arts and Sciences is a huge futuristic educational complex
designed for Valencia by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrva,
as a present to his home city. Calatrava's vision is that of the space
age, inspired by animal skeletons.
You can enjoy it for free, unless you want to go inside and explore what
it has to offer - the City is much more than the pretty face, offereing
amazing entertainment and education on an unprecendeted in Europe level.
The City of Arts and Sciences is composed of 5 elements (below), all
bound together in a luxurious lanscape of clear water spaces and greenery.
It is truly a city withing a city - you will find yourself far, far away
from Valencia, on some distant planet in a distant time.
Some parts around it are still work in progress - the 6th and final construction
has only just commenced and thats why the park around the Oceanographic
has to wait to be completed. Although this makes a few corners unsightly,
generally it doesn't make a big impact on the stunning experience you
will receive.
See Gallery of the City of Arts and Sciences
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Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
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The
Concert / Opera Hall
The Palace of Arts has 4 distinct auditoriums for various kinds
of stage arts, from classical concerts and operas to theatre plays.
DUe to its incredible acoustics it is becoming one of the most prestigious
opera halls in Europe. See Classical
Music.
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L'Oceanografic |
The
Marine Park
L'Oceanografic is the biggest marine park in Europe. A collection
of smaller structures grouped around and across a water reservoir.
The viewing is actually underground, thosands of species of marine
flora and fauna, including sharks and dolphins. There is a section
on every marine zone in the world - from Arctic to Mediterranean.
This is a more relaxing and visual experience than the Museum of
Sciences, and more suitable for kids. For more info and to see some
great photos of what's inside you could see Aquarium
on "Traveling in Spain" (external link). There is
also another gallery
of marine wildlife
there.
Average viewing time: 3.5 hours
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L'Hemisferic |
The
IMAX Cinema.
L'Hemispheric usually has 5-7 various shows on display, all of educational
and/or visually stunning character. This is IMAX 3D cinema and perhaps
the most engaging part of the complex for the kids. Everyone lies
almost horizontally on the floor and watches the hemispheric screen
above them.
Average viewing time: 1 hour
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Museo de Ciences Principe
Felipe |
The
Museum of Science.
An enormous long structure with 3 Floors of ultra-interactive science
material on topics like electricity, physical laws, lasers, human
body, sport sciences, sound, lights, planetarium, and many others.
Some stuff is purely fun, other takes good brain work, all of it
is fascinating. Unlike in other museums, the rules here are - pull,
push, touch, twist. Most of the exhibition is permanent, with a
couple of rotating temporary sections.
Average viewing time: 3 hours
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L'Umbracle |
The
Greenhouse.
This is a luxurious green promenade with species of plants from
all over the world. It is also the only part of the complex with
public access free of charge.
Average viewing time: 3 hours
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See Gallery of the City of Arts and Sciences
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View opening times on the CAS website: