Jardins del Reial – Glorieta

Our tour starts in the Jardins del Reial, which Valencians usually refer to as Los Vivers. It is one of the green lungs of the city, which traces its origins to the eleventh century, an extensive park that stands out for its history, its botanical wealth and its sculptural monuments along the garden. In these gardens we find the Museum of Natural Sciences, a centre for the conservation, study and dissemination of the scientific and natural heritage of Valencia.

Near the nurseries, using the exits that lead to the old bed of the Turia, we extend a little to enjoy a walk through the Alameda, another of the public gardens most loved by the Valencians, which borders the northern shore of the Turia Gardens. Its historical part goes from the Royal Gardens to the Plaza de Zaragoza.

Between Els Vivers, l’Albereda and Avda. Blasco Ibáñez found another neoclassical garden, one of the most beautiful and appreciated in our city: the Monforte Garden, from the nineteenth century, declared National Artistic Garden. Apart from its magnificent ponds and marble statues we find the Palace of Monforte, building of the late nineteenth century of French academicist style.

We arrive at the Plaza de Tetuán crossing the Puente del Real. The old Convent of Santo Domingo was built in 1239 on land ceded by James I to the Dominicans. Today it offers a wonderful combination of Valencian Gothic and Baroque styles.

In this same square we find the Palace of Cervelló, of Gothic origins, residence of kings during the nineteenth century in their visits to Valencia. This is the place where Ferdinand VII signed the decree abolishing the Constitution of 1812 and restored the absolute monarchy. Today it houses the Municipal Historical Archive of the city.

Less than 1 minute away is located the Bancaja Cultural Center, a reference in Valencia for its varied social and cultural offer. This headquarters is the result of the union of two historic buildings: the former Caja de Ahorros and Monte de Piedad de Valencia (S. XX) and the former residence of Manuel Gómez Fos (S. XIX).

Very close are the Glorieta Gardens, built in the early nineteenth century at the time of the War of Independence and rebuilt after the flood of 1957. A park of great tradition for Valencians in which you can admire its huge ficus trees and enjoy its shade and a good children’s play area.

Next to the Glorieta we find Calle de la Paz, one of the most stately enclaves of the city, a residential street built following the guidelines of French nineteenth-century urbanism. This famous urban street in Valencia maintains its charming appearance, although the old bourgeois houses have given way to office buildings.

We go up this street towards Santa Catalina. One of the most important monuments in its vicinity is the Palace Marqués de Dosaigües, located on the street of the same name. It was built in the eighteenth century, exponent of the baroque rococo style. On the second floor you can visit the González Martí National Museum of Ceramics, one of the most important collections of ceramics in the world.

The last destination on our route is Valencia Cathedral . Turning down the Plaza de la Reina we will immediately see the bell tower of the Micalet, one of the classic icons of the city, located next to the Puerta de los Hierros. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishopric of Valencia. Built in the thirteenth century, the Valencian Gothic style predominates, nuanced by the passage of the centuries with other Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical contributions.