2017-08-08 La Marina Real Juan Carlos 1, Valencia, Spain
We set off once again on another adventure on the bikes in order to visit a couple of things we had missed in Valencia on previous daysPassing the old renovated warehouses at the port and the clock buildingThe main crossroads of the Port of Valencia with the tall monument in the centreAs we continue we pass many tall metal statues in the large parkPonte de RegneWe look towards the modern high rise building of the Cami Fondo areaWe again ride past the Palau de la Música which is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parksThe steps of the ancient Pont de la Mar with the partially dismantled ferris wheel in the backgroundNearby is Pont de l’ExposicióAgain we ride past the Porta de la Mar, which was once a gateway to the cityFinally we arrive at our destinationThe Magnificent Palacio de los Marqueses de dos Aguas with its sumptuous Gothic facadeThe opulent palace houses the Gonzalez Marti Ceramic MuseumxxThe entrance to the palace is absolutely extraordinaryxxOnce inside a couple of exceptionally ornate carriages greet us in the entrance areaxxThis tiny old ceramic was quite stunningThis recently created wall ceramic on display in the ceramic museum was just amazing!!The work involved with some of the unusual modern ceramics was unbelievableSo amazing!!This wonderful chess set was safely sealed in a glass cabinetAnother room full of tall colourful ceramic creationsWe were instructed to continue our visit to the exhibition upstairsRic posing with the old potteryA superb piece of old china on displayNext we have the pleasure of seeing some of the rooms of the old palaceSuch beautifully painted frescos on the ceilings in this room of the palaceThis beautiful room in the palace was by far my favourite room!!Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas and the Gonzalez Marti Ceramic Museum is a ‘must visit’ if one comes to ValenciaOur next stop is the fabulous Central MarketThe modernist style building that houses the Mercado Central Market, was started in 1914 over an original open market site. It was not fully completed until as late as 1928. It is one of the most visited markets in Spain which predominantly has vendors that mostly serve food items, although the occasional souvenir shop can also be found here.There are many stalls selling the famous Iberian hamWe purchased some spices from this very friendly Spanish vendorOf course plenty of Valencia oranges and juice for sale here at the marketNaturally there are also numerous meat and of course fruit and vegetable vendors too!Beside the market one must try the traditional refreshing drink called Horchata, which in Valencia is made from tigernuts, water and sugar. The Horchata should be accompanied with a Farton, an elongated spongy sweet, perfect for dipping!!Beside to the Central Market is one of the oldest churches in Valencia. The Catholic church, Iglesia de los Santos Juanes or otherwise known as San Juan del Mercado (Saint John of the Market) was built in the 14th century in the Gothic styleNearby is the Exchange, or Lonja de los Mercaderes which is a jewel of European civil Gothic Architecture. It was built between 1482 and 1492 and resembles a medieval castle. It was also declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996
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