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Valencia Spain-The Essential Guide
Author: Dara Ward

The city of Valencia situated on the east coast of Spain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is a lively town, popular with tourists and beloved by the proud locals. The population of the city is just under 750000, and the currency used is the Euro.

The history of Valencia is a troubled one. The

first inhabitants were the Romans back in the first century BC and since then there have been many battles and power struggles. The Barbarians, the Visigoths and the Moors all led the city for a time in the first millennium of its existence. In 1238, Valencia was taken as part of the Christian re-conquest of Spain and over the next few hundred years, the city prospered. However, economic collapse followed the expulsion of the Moors and the Jews from the city in the early seventeenth century. The War of Spanish Succession followed one hundred years later where Valencia lost its regional autonomy and since then the politics of Valencia has reflected those of the capital of the State.

With so many different cultures having ruled in Valencia over the years, there is a rich variance in the architecture of the city. The most prominent remains are from the Roman period and there are many remains in the city which the visitor can enjoy such as the Plaza de la Virgen in the heart of the old town and once the location for the Roman Forum.

Valencia is a hectic city, and the roads can be busy and confusing. With the agreeable Mediterranean climate, it may be best to explore the city on foot, or on the efficient public transport network which includes a metro system as well as a good bus service. Perhaps a good idea on arriving is to head to Plaza de la Reina and take a tour on the bright orange double-decker bus around

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