Loving Valencia, Despite the Bad Weather

 

snowy mountains on way to Valencia

Long drive day to Valencia - 8 hours. Passed an area known for their cave homes-literally the front of a house that goes into the mountain. Seemed every time I looked out-there was a castle or tower just sitting there. We passed one of the largest castles in Spain looming over the highway. And lots of mountains with snow!

Sagunto Castle. Hannibel sacked the settlement in 219BC. Moors built first castle in 700s. 

Mercado de Colon, 1916

  Found dinner at mercado de colon, an example of Valencian Art Nouveau. Saw some Gaudi-esque tilework and curves - very cool and the building was full of different kinds of restaurants. We enjoyed sardines. Very Valencian. 

   

sardines & Aperol

lunch dessert on the road

 

Modern Valencian architecture. This location became staging area for flood victim rescues

The weather was intermittent heavy downpours and strong gusty winds. Almost like a tropical storm. Little did we know what was happening just 30 miles away. over 200 people drowned with flash floods.

Valencia Cathedral, 1238

    

    The Cathedral is beautiful, and built upon a number of religious buildings: Visogoth (Christian) church site, Muslim mosque. Around 1260, the Bishop decided to tear down the cathedral-mosque to build what is there now.   The side chapel, now connected to the cathedral, houses what is thought to be the Holy Grail. Testing has shown that it is about the right age. 

chapel of the Holy Grail - rose window shows chalice

detail of cathedral altar ceiling

     

Holy Grail in ornate holder

 

mischievous cherubs in chapel

Central Market of Valencia-largest fresh produce market in Europe

Beautiful dome

  

Tile painter

With the rains, we looked for anything INDOORS. We stumbled upon a fascinating museum. The House of Carriages (which is actually the building name since it housed carriages). It now houses giant statues and other procession floats used annually for the Corpus Christi procession. 

Giant statues carried by individuals in the procession. They see from screened opening in the skirts

GIANTS

   

Not only people!

  

paella, just before the 'shelter in place' announcement