Modernist Valencia

General information

Destination	Category
Valencia, Spain	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Enjoy a fascinating insight into the modern history of Valencia with this informative walking tour. Understand how the city started to thrive again after a long period of decadence as you trace the development of modernism in Valencia through a succession of splendid buildings.

Your expert guide will give you the historical background to the expansion of the city in the late 19th century. A population of 100,000 was cooped up within the medieval city walls in extremely poor sanitary conditions. The solution was to break down the walls and demolish many of the older buildings, making room for an elegantly planned district known as the Ensanche with buildings arranged in regular blocks and wide, straight streets set out in a grid pattern.

After meeting your guide at the Central Post Office at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, we’ll start by visiting the magnificent Estacion del Norte, dating from 1920. This massive space is characterized by its impressive use of wrought iron and glass, common to many European railway stations of the period.

From here we’ll continue to two of Valencia’s famous modernist markets, the Mercat Central and the Mercat de Colom. The range, variety and quality of produce on sale here is simply mind-boggling. Enjoy some orxata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts that dates back to Islamic times and savour some fartons, sweet pastry fingers from the nearby town of Alboraya.

We’ll also visit other buildings in the modernist style, of particular interest is the Casa dels Dragons, designed by local architect Jose Manuel Cortina in 1901. A fascinating tour for anyone wishing to gain an insight into the development of Valencia in modern times

Meeting/pick-up point:: Central Post office, Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Tour in French: Valencia Central Market (Market Square entrance opposite Silk Market ).
Languages:English, French and Spanish.
Start/opening time:
English: from 9.30am to 11.30am. Spanish: from 11.45am to 1.45pm. French: from 2.15pm to 4.15pm. Tour on Wednesdays.