This “city in a city” has become one of the symbols of Valencia. It is a scientific and leisure complex with futuristic buildings where you can enjoy spending time with family and friends, and it’s the work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.
Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture. The “city” is made up several buildings usually known by their Valencian names, and is surrounded by attractive streams and pools of water. The “city” and its surrounding areas are typically used as a relaxing place to walk day or night, with an open air bar to enjoy during the evening.
The buildings of the complex are:
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, a spectacular building dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Measuring over 70 metres in height, the Palau de les Arts is divided into four separate halls, all boasting the latest technological advances conceived to stage all kinds of opera, musical and theatrical performances.
Hemisferic is an splendid Laserium, Planetarium and IMAX cinema (over a 900 square meters of screen). It belongs to the City of Arts and Sciences complex. The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava. It has the shape of an eye, and is reflected 24.000 square meters lake.
Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe recalls the shape of a whale skeleton. It is orientated to learning the sciences through experience, so everything is graphically displayed, with huge texts and pics, experiments, buttons to touch and experience… perfect to go with kids of 7-12 years!
Oceanografic invites us to travel around the planet’s main seas and oceans. More than 45,000 examples of 500 different marine species inhabit nine underwater towers that, structured in two levels, represent the most emblematic ecosystems of the planet.
Agora, the new icon of the City of Arts and Sciences is a versatile space that will allow the holding of varied events. A multi-functional setting has been planned for the staging of congresses, conventions, concerts, and performances; it can also be converted into an exhibition area.
Planning Your Visit
If you walk from the old town through the dry Turia river gardens, and all the way down to the City of Arts and Sciences, takes about 40 minutes.
You will need tickets to enter the Hemisfèric, the Science Museum and the Oceanogràfic, and you can buy them separately or combined for the buildings that you would most like to visit.
To visit the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum may take an average of 3 hours and the Oceanogràfic approximately 4 hours. Sessions at the Hemisfèric generally last about 45 – 50 minutes.
The City of Arts and Sciences is open 365 days of the year.
Cover photo by Diliff via Wikimedia Commons