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Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciencies - Architecture and Buildings to Visit

Tags: Valencia, Santiago Calatrava, Ciutat de les Arts, City of Arts and Science

La Ciutat de les Arts i Les Ciencies (The City of Arts and Science) is an striking set of public buildings and structures in Valencia, Spain. Most of the work was commissioned to the local architect Santiago Calatrava (born in Valencia, although his studio is in Zurich), while the Oceanographic park was designed by Felix Candela.

The complex is an impressive example of contemporary architecture and it is very frequently used in advertising - chances are that you have seen some photograph shot here. The white concrete (used in the buildings) together with the clear blue of the pools used in the landscaping create a soothing, futuristic atmosphere.

The organic shapes of the buildings are a testament to Calatrava's style, and the whole complex is unique as an opportunity for a single architect to develop a whole world of his own, without hardly any restrictions.

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The complex is located in the south east side of the city. The Umbracle building includes a parking structure underneath that is usually available.

If you prefer to use public transportation, you can get there using EMT buses lines 19, 35, 95 y 40. There is no metro station around the city, but the Alameda stop (another Calatrava building) is a 15-minute walk away. The Alameda stop is served by lines 3 and 5.

We do not have any guides registered for this collection. If you or your organization provide tours for any of the buildings in this collection please add your organization to this list.

History, Background and Context

The City of Arts and Science of Valencia was a big initiative of the regional government to build a city landmark. The complex is built in a dry river bed, originally in the outskirts of the city although it has been built up recently.

Calatrava designed the first building, an IMAX movie theater (L'hemisferic), in 1996. After that, he built a garden/promenade (l'Umbracle), a science museum (Principe Felipe Museum) and finally the magnificent Palace of Arts (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia). His work also includes the landscaping of the area, based on big, shallow pools where the structures are reflected.

The Oceanografic was a separate project altogether, and until recently isolated from the other buildings in the city.

Originally the complex included the plans for a 300m high telecommunication tower that was never built. Instead, the project was modified to build the massive Palau de les Arts in the same location.

Also, the original Monteolivete bridge that crossed the river bed had to be partially rebuilt. The original bridge was built in the 1980s and was a poor esthetic match with the futuristic looks of the city. A new section (the closest to the complex) was built by Calatrava.