CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Made up of six buildings with futuristic architecture, the Cité des Arts et des Sciences (CAC) stretches over an axis of almost 2 kilometres, located on the former dried-up bed of the Turia River. It is the work of Santiago Calatrava, who has devoted almost 15 years to it. Its gigantic proportions and spectacular architecture have made it one of the largest cultural complexes in Europe and the symbol of Valencia in the 21st century.

Hemisphere. Inaugurated in 1998, it was the first building in this city. It has the shape of a human eye, symbolizing the public eye, and houses the largest Imax cinema in Spain. It has an inclined 3D screen that covers 900 m² and 24 m in diameter. Its programming includes films about dinosaurs, nature, the great outdoors and adventure.

Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Inaugurated in 2000, this museum dedicated to science and technology occupies more than 42,000 m². Its geometric shapes are reminiscent of the skeleton of a dinosaur. On three floors, it allows visitors to discover in a playful way how electricity or sound works, to explore DNA or to observe one of the largest Foucault clocks in the world.

Oceanografic. Inaugurated in 2002, it is the only complex designed by the architect Félix Candela that covers more than 110,000 m², making it the largest aquarium in Europe. It is divided into ten large areas that reconstitute the habitats of the Mediterranean, the polar oceans (Arctic and Antarctic), islands, tropical seas, temperate seas and the Red Sea. The park also hosts a huge dolphinarium with shows several times a day. Located in the heart of the complex, the Submarino restaurant is also its most emblematic building, with its water lily shaped structure.

Reina Sofia Palace of Arts. Inaugurated in 2005, this building seems to defy the laws of engineering. This impressive building, designed by Calatrava, has a narrower base than the rest of the structure, giving it the shape of a large ocean liner. At the top of the building, a metal feather points to the sky. It consists of a main hall with a capacity of 1,400 seats and hosts operas, ballets and concerts. There is also an auditorium with almost 1,500 seats and a smaller concert hall, the Aula Magistral, which has a capacity of about 400 seats.

Umbracle. This is a 320-metre-long promenade that serves as a watchtower. Located at the entrance to the City, it allows visitors to contemplate the neighbouring buildings, which are reflected in the 13,500 m² of side pools. It is made up of 55 fixed arches and 54 floating arches, 18 m high, and is home to hundreds of palm trees, bougainvilleas, climbing plants and several contemporary art sculptures.

Agora. Inaugurated in 2009, it is the latest addition to the city and its highest building, 80 m high. It is covered with blue trencadis, a mosaic made of ceramic splinters and is presented as a huge covered square. Its shape gives rise to multiple interpretations, but the most common is that of two interlaced hands. In 2022, it is expected to house the Caixa Forum de Valencia, designed by Enric Ruiz-Geli, with a surface area of approximately 6,200 m², a flagship cultural project for Valencia.