Spain Property Guide - January 2022 Issue 7

VALENCIA
elegance by the Mediterranean
The capital of its own autonomous region within
Spain’s federal system, Valencia is one of the cultural,
historic, gastronomic and architectural gems of
Spain, a city of boulevards, monuments and parks that
also has a sandy beach. One of the ultimate lifestyle
destinations among Europe’s larger urban centres, it is
Mediterranea personified, and draws on a rich historical
heritage that includes the Iberians, Romans, Moors and
subsequent Spanish monarchy.
Valencia is also the home of paella, one of Spain’s
most iconic dishes, which like the saffron fields has its
spiritual home in the Albufera wetlands located just
south of the city. A little further south the northern part
of the Costa Blanca begins, positioning Valencia ideally
between Barcelona, Madrid, the Balearic Islands and
endless beaches to the south. Not surprisingly, it is very
popular among European and American visitors and
homebuyers.
MODERN MEETS CLASSIC
The city that has such a colourful past is also forwardlooking,
and among its landmarks are not just the
cathedrals, palaces, parks and grand edifices of other
centuries, but also gleaming modern ones in areas
such as Penya-Roja and the otherworldly theatres
and museums of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, a local architect
who would go on to become world-famous, the
L’Hemisfèric, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia and Museu
de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe helped to give the city
a truly modern identity.
For all this, some of its greatest sites are still classical,
including the beautiful Mercat Central market, the
Monastério de San Miguel de los Reyes, the Mercat
de Colon in local Modernista style, Llotja de la Seda,
the city’s main cathedral and de Convento de
Santo Domingo, to name just a few. The Palau de
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