Goldens on the Road: September 2020

Valencia, Spain

We depart from Barcelona driving along the coast of Catalunya to Valencia. While this was a beautiful drive, it was also a long drive. We could have spent many days exploring Valencia but we only had about a half day to tour. This bus tour traveled through many parts of the city and included a stop at The City of Arts and Sciences, a huge futuristic educational complex designed for Valencia by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, as a present to his home city. Calatrava's vision is that of the space age, inspired by animal skeletons.

He is also the architect who designed the Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Art Museum. The Quadracci Pavilion contains a movable, wing-like 'brise soleil' that opens up for a wingspan of 217 feet during the day, folding over the tall, arched structure at night or during inclement weather. The pavilion received the 2004 Outstanding Structure Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering. This iconic building, often referred to as "the Calatrava", is used in the museum logo.

First here are a few photos of the Milwaukee Museum.

Now, the photos of The City of Arts and Sciences.

We were also able to wander on foot at a few additional sites on our way to our hotel. These stops included The Quart and Serrano’s Towers, the remaining city gates of the ancient wall built around “Old Town Valencia”. Serrano’s Towers were constructed in 1392. These two sets of twin city gate towers are the most tangible remains of the ancient walled city of Valencia. These landmark defense towers protected against intruders entering the city of ancient Valencia. The towers have stood alone since the city walls were demolished at the end of the 19^th century. These imposing gate towers create an exceptional atmosphere and are a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Visible from quite a distance around Valencia City, Serranos Towers served as a prison for noblemen from 1586 to 1887.

The Quart Towers were built a little later than the Serranos Towers and are an example of late Gothic military architecture. The Quart Towers were known as the Lime Towers until 1874, as lime was brought into the city via this gate during the 17th century. Another note: For some time these towers served as a women's prison.

We walked down the ancient streets of this beautiful city wishing we could stay longer! You will see some of what we enjoyed during our wandering.