Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. Founded by the Romans, it has been the home of many cultures over its history. Once the capital of its own kingdom, Valencia became one of the major economic powers on the Mediterranean area on the 15th and 16th centuries.
The city is known for its orange groves, beaches, paella, the City of Arts and Sciences and for our mail festival, Las Fallas, a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph where hundreds of monuments of magnificent artistic qualities are set up in the street for about 5 days and then burnt on 19th of march. It all started in the ancient times when carpenters burnt old pieces of wood and artefacts. The tradition evolved and they started to create figures that were dressed with clothing. Nowadays the monuments are made of wood and polystyrene and this has allowed creating Fallas of over 30 metres height.
The smaller figures, called “ninots” puke fun at well-known people or current events from the preceding year and are full of political satire. Only two, an adult’s ninot and a children’s’ninot will be saved from the stake thanks to the public votes and they are sent to the Fallas Museum. All the Fallas enter in a competition to get the best awards, judge’s value creativity, gracefulness and difficulty among other qualities.
Valencia’s traditional costume dates from the XVI-XVIII centuries and it is made of very rich textiles that are made in many different colors and patterns. This costume is worn during The Fallas festival and some special events during the year. They are made to order in specialized shops.
Ceramic is an important industry in this area. The museum of ceramics is housed in a palace, “Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas” that dates from the 15th century, an architectural jewel outside and inside. Valencian ceramics tiles are often painted with flowers and can be found inside kitchens on floors and ceilings.
The train station “Estación del Norte” is also worth a visit, it’s an art nouveau treasure decorated with a type of mosaic created from broken tile shards.
One spot that you mustn’t miss is the old riverbed. It was converted some decades ago in a garden that crosses the city and amazing as it may seem you will find an opera house, a museum, an aquarium and a Imax cinema among other futuristic buildings.
Valencia is also known because The Paella was born here, “Paella” is actually the name of the pan but the dish has taken the name of it. The ingredients may vary as some paella are made with chicken or rabbit and others with seafood but it never contains ingredients such as chorizo, sausages, peas or mushrooms. If you have the opportunity to come do not miss the experience of real paella in one of the many restaurants by the city beach.
Top must-see:
Mercado central (food market)
What a visiting designer may like:
North Station
Central Post Office
Pattern design inspired by Valencia:
I hope you have enjoyed this short “trip” to my city.
A Postcard from Valencia by Inma Ros
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My love for drawing led me to study fashion design but it wasn’t for me, I kept drawing patterns in my free time till I found Make It In Design browsing on the internet and registered for the third module straight away. It really exceeded my expectations; I found it so useful, interesting and full of inspiration that I registered for Modules 1 and 2 as soon as they were available. I am really happy I found them!
Showcase the wonder of your hometown or city in our regular feature, with particular regard to places that may be of interested to travelling designers visiting your city. Please take a look at a past issue of MOYO Magazine for an example.
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