The city of Valencia is one of the largest in Spain. Valencia is an
autonomous region and former Kingdom with the Mediterranean its natural boundary
with a coastline of almost 100km of fine sand beaches from Benavites ravine
north of Sagunto to the river Molinell south of Oliva, while inland it borders
on the Provinces of Teruel, Cuenca and Albacete. It now comprises of the
provinces of Alicante, Castellon and Valencia. The country is mainly mountainous
with a fertile coastal plain, where most of its population is concentrated.
Established as an autonomous region in 1982.
The Land of Valencia has a long history forged over the millennia. From
primitive paintings in caves and rock shelters to the Iberian, Roman, Visigoth
and Moorish creations that many cultures have left their mark on the land.
Modern-day Valencia originated from when King James I conquered the region from
the Moors in the 13th century and establishing local laws to govern, what was
then called, the Kingdom of Valencia. Since then, history has brought Gothic,
Baroque and Modernist styles reflected in many buildings and works of art in the
region. Iberian and Roman settlements, houses with coats of arms, castles and
towers.
Near the centre of the city is the bustling Plaza del Paolo Valenciano with a
fountain, closeby is the Plaza de Toros containing one of the largest bullrings
in Spain and the Museo Taurino the bull-fighting museum. The Baroque Palacio del
Marques de Dos Aguas has a facade that is extravagantly sculpted and the inside
is just as outrageous. The Museo de Bellas Artes ranks among the best museums in
the country and contains works by El Greco, Goya, Velazquez and a number of
Valencian impressionists. The Instituto Valenciano Arte Moderno - Institute of
Modern Art - houses an impressive collection of 20th-century Spanish art. Ciudad
de las Artes y de las Ciencias is a large complex devoted to sciences and the
arts. The Cathedral was built on the site of a mosque and the tower offers great
views over the city. The Festival of Fallas or bonfires is held in March and is
famed for its firework display. Valencia is also home to paella and the Holy
Grail.
Both Valencian and Spanish are the official languages of the Land of Valencia.
Valencian is the autonomous language representing the linguistic culture of the
region. It was used in the Golden Century of Valencia, 15th century, by writers
as Ausias March and Joanot Martorell.
The coast is low and sandy where the water is shallow, and the only
outstanding geographical feature is the cape of Cullera, the one point where the
mountains reach the sea. There is a barrier of dunes behind the beaches and
marshy ground or freshwater lagoons in some areas, such as the salt marshes of
the Puig or Jaraco (Xuquer) and Serpis. But busy and important are its ports of
Sagunto, Valencia and Gandia as well as its modern yacht clubs for all sorts of
pleasure craft and its tourist centres. From there it is easy for the visitor to
discover the high-lying areas, the only game preserve of the region and its
health resorts in the mountains.
Valencia has its own Royal Sailing Club, in Sueca, possesses a sailing complex
on a canal at La Albufera and Cullera on the outlet of the River Jucar. From
north to south, the nautical sports centres of Canet d En Berenguer, the port of
Pobla de Farnals and the marina are situated inside the Port Saplaya Estate, the
nautical sport centres at Gandia and Oliva complete the areas with a total of
over 3,700 moorings.
In Valencia, the golfer will find the El Saler Golf Course and on the coast in
Oliva, is the Oliva Nove Golf Course, designed by Severiano Ballesteros. Other
courses include: L Escorpion in Betera, Manises and El Bosque in Chiva.