The ball finds its mark at the Catedral de València to end a full round through Valencia. The map is the real city and the game is played on its actual streets, where real attractions form the holes. Skip knows these sidewalks and corners by heart, having spent plenty of time dodging crumbs on the pavement. This walk covers 10.1 km over 18 holes with a par of 52, using 44 portals to bridge the gaps between distant districts.
You will first notice the massive scale of Mestalla, a football stadium in Valencia that holds 49,430 seats. It serves as the home of Valencia CF and is the 8th-largest stadium in Spain. Francisco Almenar Quinzá was the architect of the grounds, which were started in 1923 and opened on 20 May 1923. Since January 2020, it has held the title of the oldest stadium in La Liga. I always find the atmosphere here electric, even when the teams aren't playing.
You might expect a bustling plaza, but you will find the Jardí de Monforte instead. This site is a garden and a park where you can take a break from the city streets. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural, marking its importance to the local area. You should also know that it is a Red List of Endangered Heritage item. I find it is a peaceful spot to watch the world go by, though you have to keep an eye out for my friends when you are walking through the greenery.
Founded in 1913, the Museu de Belles Arts de València is an art museum located in Valencia, Spain. The building was designed by architect Juan Pérez Castiel and is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. Inside, you can find a collection of some 2,000 works, the majority of which date from the 14th–17th centuries. One of the most notable pieces you can pick out is a Self portrait of Diego Velázquez. I've seen plenty of fancy buildings in this city, but this one has a certain gravity to it.
The Convent de Sant Doménec is a convent that showcases a mix of Renaissance, Neoclassical, Valencian Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. The church was built on land granted by King James I of Aragon in 1239, though a larger structure replaced the original church in 1250. It formerly served as a convent of the Dominican Order in Valencia, Spain. I've always found the blend of different eras in the stonework quite striking as you walk past, making it a great spot to pause and look up at the facades.
Let me show you El Paleontològic, a museum designed in the Rationalist architecture style of the Land of Valencia. This building had its inception in 1999 and is located at Jardines del Real in Spain. It is a great spot to stop and admire the clean lines of the structure while you are exploring the city. I always find the surrounding gardens a pleasant place to spend a few minutes, and the building itself is a wonderful example of the regional style. You can pick out the specific geometric influences that make this museum stand out from its neighbors.
Let me show you the Torres dels Serrans. This fortified tower once served as the Serrans Gate, which was one of twelve gates that formed the ancient city wall of Valencia. Designed by architect Pedro Balaguer, the tower is a bien de interés cultural built in the Valencian Gothic style. You can see the influence of that style in the stonework as you walk by. I've always found the scale of these old defenses impressive compared to the modern streets surrounding them.
Pere Compte is the architect of Llotja de la Seda. Located in Valencia, this lonja is built in the Valencian Gothic style and reaches a height of 17.4 meters. It is a significant piece of the city's history and is recognized as a World Heritage Site. I've always thought the scale of the place makes it a great landmark for getting your bearings in the city, especially when you are looking up at those impressive heights. It is a spot where you can really appreciate the craftsmanship of the period.
You might expect a massive complex, but the Museu del Patriarca is a focused art museum. It was founded in 1959 and provides a specialized space for visitors to appreciate art within the city. I always find the smaller museums have a different kind of energy than the huge ones. You can take your time here without feeling the need to rush through miles of corridors, which makes the experience feel much more personal. It is a great spot to stop and admire the collection without the crowds of the larger galleries.
You might expect a plaza or a market, but this is actually the Plaça de Bous de València, a bullring. Construction on the site started in 1847. It is recognized as a Property of Local Relevance and has BIE heritage status. It is classified as a second-class bullring. I've noticed the architecture here is quite distinct from the surrounding blocks, making it a great landmark for you to spot as you navigate the area. It stands as a piece of the city's specific history that visitors often stop to admire.
You might think this is just another old residence, but the Palau del Marqués de Dosaigües is a palace and a bien de interés cultural. It is a standout example of the Rococo style in Valencia, Spain. The design involves architects Hipólito Rovira and Ignacio Vergara. Today, the interior houses the González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts. I've always found the detail on the facade quite something to look at from the air, and it is a great spot to stop and admire the craftsmanship of the city.
This isn't a quiet alley or a hidden garden; it is Porta de la Mar. This square is a central point of the city where people gather and pass through. I've noticed it's a great spot to watch the local pace of life unfold around you.
Let me show you the Teatre Principal de València. This theatre building is designed in the Neoclassical architecture style and is located in downtown Carrer de les Barques in Valencia, Spain. Filippo Fontana and José Zacarías Camaña were architects of the site. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural, and its inception occurred from 1808 to 1854. I find the facade quite a sight to see from the street, and it is a wonderful example of the style used during its creation. You can pick out the distinct architectural details as you pass by this landmark.
Catedral de València is a Catholic cathedral built in the Gothic art style and the Valencian Gothic style. Its inception was in 1262, and Andreu Julià and Francesc Baldomar were architects of the site. This building is also a minor basilica and a Monument (Spain). You can pick out the influence of its designers in the structure, which is officially recognized as a bien de interés cultural. It is a significant site for visitors to observe, combining various architectural elements to create one of the most prominent religious buildings in the region.
Look up at the Valencian Gothic stonework of the Torres de Quart. This fortified tower is one of the two remaining gates of the old Valencia city wall. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. I can tell you that Pere Compte and Francesc Baldomar were the architects who worked on the structure, which was built between 1441 and 1493. It is a sturdy spot to stop and admire how the city used to be enclosed. I often see people pausing here to take in the scale of the walls before moving back into the modern streets.
This isn't just a collection of old objects. L'ETNO is a museum devoted to the tangible and intangible heritage of traditional and popular Valencian culture. Founded in 1982, the institution works to communicate how this identity fits within a Mediterranean context. You can see how they question the dynamics that built the culture and forced it to evolve over time. I like how the museum uses a contemporary perspective to help you understand the challenges of culture as a whole. It is a great spot to get a feel for the local spirit.
The Jardí Botànic de la Universitat de València is a botanical garden located on calle Quart in the El Botànic neighbourhood. Started in 1802, it depends administratively on the University of Valencia. You can pick out a wide variety of plants here, and you might notice the garden is also classified as a museum. It is a bien de interés cultural and maintains a membership with Botanical Gardens Conservation International. I've found that the greenery here is a nice break from the city pavement.
Look for the signage of the Institut Français d’Espagne en Valencia to find your way inside. This spot is a cultural center that brings a slice of France to the city. Beyond the exhibits, you can visit the movie theater to catch a film or enroll in classes at the language school. It is a place designed for learning and artistic appreciation alike. I always find the atmosphere here quite inviting for a midday stroll, especially when the local crowds are gathering for a premiere.
Iglesia de San Esteban is a Baroque church building. Located in the Plaça de Sant Esteve in the city of Valencia, this site is a Catholic parish church. It is situated within the Valencian Community in Spain. The building is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. You can see the Baroque style of the architecture as you approach the church in the square.
Església de Sant Nicolau is built in the Valencian Gothic style. This church building is located in Valencia, Spain, and is known as the Church of Sant Nicolau de Bari and Sant Pere Màrtir. It serves as a Catholic parish church for the local community. Beyond its religious function, the site is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. You can pick out the specific Gothic details that characterize this particular regional style as you approach the building.