"Valencia : History, Calatrava, Turia,... " a Valencia Travel Page by Birsen

Long before the arrival of the Romans in Spain, the territory of what is now Valencia was inhabited by Iberian peoples. This early stratum was successively overlaid with Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims.

Whatever the pre-Roman ethnic roots of eastern Spain may have been, the fact is that it was intensely Romanized. However, even greater was the subsequent Muslim influence, to the extent that except for a shortlived conquest by the Cid in 1088, the population of this part of the Peninsula was fundamentally Muslim.

The basic origin of Valencia as a national community with a political identity of its own goes back to the year 1238, when King James I conquered the city of Valencia. However, he did not annex it to the kingdom of Aragon or Catalunya, but made it into an autonomous kingdom within the group of States under his sceptre. Despite the predominantly Catalan nature of the conquest, Valencia is a self-governing State with an identity of its own and a special parliament and institutions.

After the Middle Ages, economic growth was subject to sudden halts, such as the war of the 'Germanias' (1519-1522) and the expulsion of the 'Moriscos' in 1616, which marked the beginning of its decline.

At the beginning of the 18th century, in the War of Succession, the Valencian people took the side of the Archduke of Austria while most of the nobility were in favour of Philip V. The success of the latter brought about the abolition of local charters and the end of the region's traditional autonomy.

During the last two centuries, Valencian politics has been a reflection of the Spanish situation as seen from the capital of the State.

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.