The huge scientific-cultural complex, the City of Arts and Sciences, has opened the doors of Valencia to progress and to the world

Much has changed for Valencia in the last few years. No-one could have imagined a decade ago that a new scientific-cultural complex in the provincial capital on the river Turia would become a major international talking point.

However, there was no need to go abroad in search of talent as the complex is the greatest work to be created by the acclaimed Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. With his habitual use of white, the artist has endowed the complex with a Mediterranean air and puts Valencia firmly on the path of progress. Since the firing of the starting pistol in 1998 to mark its inauguration, the huge buildings of this brand new city have been constructed in stages, from the L´Hemisfèric to the final component which was opened last year, the Palau de les Arts.

L´Hemisfèric

The first of the five pieces on the site, it was built with a firm commitment to apply technology to entertainment. Surrounded by 24,000 square metres of lake, the exterior aspect of the building in the form of an eye emerging from the water gives a clear idea of the important visual content inside. Firstly, it houses an IMAX cinema that allows audiences to enjoy the latest advances in image and sound in large format. 

The millions of spectators who have visited it prove that it is an authentic attraction, loved by people of all ages. The building also includes a learning space, particularly the large planetarium which offers detailed and visual information about the stars. This educational component has made it an almost obligatory excursion for nearby schools. No less impressive is the Laserium zone, where the latest generation Omniscan laser shows are screened.

Príncipe Felipe Science Museum

This huge building, which houses an interactive science museum, has a superficial resemblance to the quintessential symbol of a museum: a dinosaur skeleton. Its structure is based on a huge roof supported by a transparent glass façade to the north and by an opaque façade to the south. It is the most important centre for the popularisation of science at a world level and the most frequently visited museum in Spain, with much higher visitor numbers than the Prado, the Reina Sofia or the Guggenheim. In this case, the classical concept associated with the word museum, as a place of observation, falls short of reality, because here culture is manifested to the visitor in an interactive way. 

Given that the exhibition space covers some 30,000 square metres, it is not surprising that the director claims that you need around 120 hours to visit it in its totality - not particularly distressing news, as the experiences on offer on the four floors are really unique. It is not every day that you can get your own photograph in three dimensions to take home, travel by bicycle on a suspended cable or stroll around an aerostatic globe inside a building. 

The exhibits are suitable for all ages. A visit here is always full of surprises, from the exciting new technologies on the ground floor (Tecnópolis) to the changing exhibitions on the third floor, all of which contributes to the museum's objective to stimulate the spectator's curiosity so that they learn through play. During your visit, you will learn about things such as the origin of cetaceans, gems, DNA or the scientific discoveries of Jean Dausset, Severo Ochoa and Santiago Ramón y Cajal.

L´Umbracle

This is a gardened walkway-viewpoint above the water and covered with arches. It provides spectacular views of the other buildings of the site. It has a central garden with trees offering the best sights of the complex. Although it is not a building as such, it forms the backbone to the whole complex.

L'Oceanogràfic

80,000 square metres, 42 million litres of salt water that it draws from the nearby beach at Malvarrosa and 500 different marine species. These are some statistics of the largest aquatic space in Europe, an underwater city that amazes visitors and displays the different oceanic habitats. Here you can find creatures from the spider crab to penguins and sharks, as well as enjoy wonderful views of distant seas while you eat in the restaurant. 

Unlike the other buildings, this was not designed by Calatrava, but by the late architect Félix Candela. The reason why it looks like the others is due to the philosophy of the City of Arts and Sciences, which seeks to simultaneously entertain and educate while also contributing to research through collaboration agreements with the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

Presented to society in October 2005, this Palace is reminiscent of the shape of a fish or a boat, and concludes the bulk of this entertainment-cultural complex. Dedicated to music and the performing arts, it was conceived with the firm intention of integrating into the international opera circuit, although it has not yet started a regular programme. It has five large halls for opera, dance, theatre, zarzuela  (Spanish light opera) and concerts. It has an area of 40,000 m2 and capacity for over 4,000 people. 

For more information and to find out prices and opening times of the City of Arts and Sciences, visit the website at www.cac.es