Valencia is the vibrant capital of the Valencian autonomous community and ranks as the third largest city of Spain. As one
of Europe's busiest container transfer ports, Valencia handles 20% of Spain's exports, mainly food and agriculture related.
Valencia's
most famous dish is the Paella.
It all started in 138 BC as a Roman colony and military base under the name Valentia
Edetanorum.
Under Moorish rule (8th to 13th century) citrus crops were introduced and today Valencia remains a
center for the production of oranges.
During
the Spanish Civil war Valencia sided with the Republicans and the city was fiercely bombarded by the Nationalist, resulting in
heavy casualties.
The town was hit hard by the 2008 recession and is only slowly recovering from a high unemployment rate
and towering government depts.
Valencia's main sights are the old town with the Cathedral, the Central Market and the city
gates.
The Estació del Nord railway station is a real gem with early 20th century ceramic mosaics.
The City of
Arts and Sciences features modernistic buildings and is one of the reasons the city is so much in dept.
The city features many beaches
like La Malvarossa which can be very busy on sunny days.
The last time we visited Valencia was May 2017.
