About City

Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia and the third largest city in Spain. Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC. The city is situated on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, fronting the Gulf of Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea.

Its historic center is one of the largest in Spain, with approximately 169 hectares. This heritage of ancient monuments, views and cultural attractions makes Valencia one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Major monuments include Valencia Cathedral, the Torres de Serranos, the Torres de Quart, the Llotja de la Seda (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996), and the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. The Museu de Belles Arts de València houses a large collection of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by Velázquez, El Greco, and Goya, as well as an important series of engravings by Piranesi. The Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) houses both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.

Valencia's main festival is the Falles. The traditional Spanish dish, paella valenciana, originated in Valencia.  Valencia is also home to one of the famous footballs clubs of Europe, Valencia C.F., which boasts the iconic Mestalla as its home stadium. Valencia is the only city in Spain with two American football teams in LNFA Serie A, the national first division: Valencia Firebats and Valencia Giants. Valencia is among with Barcelona, Porto and Monte Carlo the only European cities ever to host Formula One World Championship Grands Prix on public roads in the middle of cities. The Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix (Gran Premi de la Comunitat Valenciana de motociclisme) is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo (also known as Circuit de Valencia). Periodically the Spanish round of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters touring car racing Championship (DTM) is held in Valencia.

Attractions & Landmarks

• Valencia Cathedral.
• Torres de Serranos.
• Torres de Quart.
• Llotja de la Seda.
• Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.
• Museu de Belles Arts de València.
• Mestalla Stadium.
• Valencia Street Circuit.
• Circuit Ricardo Tormo.