There was once a river running through Valencia, but now it's a long skinny greenbelt, full of soccer fields and... the City of Arts and Sciences. This place has architecture that makes your head spin just trying to imagine how the stresses and weights can be distributed so that the pieces all stay up! The parts are the Science Museum, the Oceanográfico or aquarium, the Hemisfèric or IMAX/laserium, the Palace of the Arts or opera house, and something that is under construction called the Ágora.
Good Friday, we took the bus out there, intending to go to the aquarium, but a bazillion families were there first. So we went to the science museum to hang out with the Marvel superheroes. They had a cool exhibit of the science of superheroes.
Easter Sunday, we figured we could get into the aquarium with less competition. It was still packed, but we spent hours there. This place is the largest aquarium in Europe, with over 500 different species in the nine underwater towers. At one point, you walk from the coasts of Europe to the depths of the Caribbean through a 70 meter long tunnel beneath sharks and other fish.
That's the Palace of the Arts past the walkway.
The Hemisferic in front of the Palace of the Arts.
The Umbracle is on the left, which covers an underground garage, and has lots of palm trees and sculpture in it.
Us in front of the Hemisferic
Me 'n the Hulk squished that car!
It's a good thing Ed was there to help Cap save America again.
Of course, you recognize the Space Station. This picture also shows that all signs are in two languages - Castillian and Valencian. Spain has 4 or 5 official languages, and they are distinctly different.
The exhibits on space were interactive, like the Space Academy and the Space Cadet School. They had a camera from the Hubble, with lots of great pictures, too. (I love it!) They also had an exploratorium, chromosomes, and drugs. No free samples. ;)
Easter Sunday, we figured we could get into the aquarium with less competition. It was still packed, but we spent hours there. This place is the largest aquarium in Europe, with over 500 different species in the nine underwater towers. At one point, you walk from the coasts of Europe to the depths of the Caribbean through a 70 meter long tunnel beneath sharks and other fish.
The dolphin show - two dolphins tossed the man over the rope.
A flamingo from South America in the Wetlands-Aviary.
All worn out!
Just one more thing - paella! This saffron/rice dish is delicious.
Great museums! Impressive structures and I hope they didn't charge extra after you and the Hulk ruined that car! Looks like good eats too!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous! Valencia looks like a really nice place to go. Sing with me... they say Spain is pretty, tho I've never been...
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