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The City of Arts and Sciences, this architectural complex dedicated to the dissemination of art and science through interaction, was born in 1996 in the city of Valencia, capital of the Valencian Community in Spain. In 1957, after a flood of the river TURIA, the course of the river was diverted and the City of Arts and Sciences was built on this old course by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.
Timeline City of Arts and Sciences
THE HEMISFÈRIC “THE EYE OF WISDOM”
It was the first building in the city, inaugurated in 1998 and with a surface area of 14,000 square metres; it represents a human eye that sees the world.
UNVEILING THE HEMISFÈRIC
The HEMISFÈRIC is a concave projection hall with a surface area of 900 square metres and a diameter of 24 metres. With an approximate capacity for 300 people, it uses 3D technologies, IMAX DOME, for total immersion of the audience with the projections.
UMBRACLE
Inaugurated at the end of 2000, with a parking capacity of more than 600 cars and 25 buses; it has a garden on the upper part with species from the Mediterranean region.
The UMBRACLE is a viewpoint characterised by having a parking area at the bottom with a capacity for more than 600 vehicles and 25 buses.
The upper part is a walkway full of vegetation typical of the Mediterranean area with 17,500 square metres for exhibitions; with a full view of the science and arts park. And where sculptures are permanently exhibited.
MUSEU DE LES CIÈNCIES
Also inaugurated at the end of 2000, with a space of 40,000 square metres, its function is to bring people and science closer together, the word “do not touch” does not exist.
The building has three floors. The ground floor houses the public services. There are also TV studios and auditoriums.
- The first floor has performances of DNA; electricity theatre; FOUCAULT’S PENDULUM.
- The first floor shows “THE LEGACY OF SCIENCE”, works by NOBEL prize winners, among them SANTIAGO RAMÓN y CAJAL.
- On the third floor is the “CHROMOSOME FOREST”, showing a sequence of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes. Also on this floor is the “ZERO GRAVITY”; a project carried out in conjunction with the EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, which simulates the steps for the space launch to the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
OCEANOGRÀFIC, «CIUDAD SUBMARINA»
Inaugurated in December 2002, it is to this day the largest marine park in EUROPE and represents the different marine ecosystems of the planet.
Being the largest aquarium in EUROPE, it exhibits the main marine ecosystems and also carries out conservation activities for sea turtles and sharks.
You can sleep in the marine species tunnel with prior reservation and play with beluga whales and dolphins with the help of the guides.
You can buy your tickets on the website of the City of Arts and Sciences individually or combined here. Prices range from €1.50 to €28.80.
PALAU DE LES ARTS REINA SOFÍA
It was Queen Sofia herself who inaugurated the building in 2005. It was designed by Santiago Calavatra and has a surface area of 37,000 square metres and is about 70 metres high. It introduces the city of Valencia with a modern infrastructure for musical performances, operas and theatre.
It has 4 halls; the main hall, with a capacity for 1,400 people, where operas and ballet are performed.
The Auditorium, with the same capacity as the main hall; the Aula Magistral, with a capacity for 400 people, especially for small plays; and the Martín y Soler Theatre, for applied arts, with a capacity for 400 people.
The imposing nature of the building makes Valencia the setting for the presentation of great artistic works.
ÁGORA
It is a public but covered square where events, exhibitions and concerts can be held. In 2009, it hosted the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament.
It is designed as a covered public square. With the possibility of hosting multiple events; from tennis, to the Spain Burn Freestyle Cup in 2010.
The ÀGORA measures 88 metres long by 60 metres wide and 70 metres high. It is surrounded by two lakes to complement the beauty of the building.
To find out about fares, timetables, combined prices, timetables of all the city’s venues, low and high seasons click here.
Located in the city of Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences has made Valencia and the Valencian Community an obligatory tourist destination.