City of Arts and Science Valencia, Contemporary Spanish Building Photos, Design, Pictures

Valencia City of Arts and Science

Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias – design by Santiago Calatrava Architect, Spain

15 Apr 2010

City of Arts and Science Valencia

Location: Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias, eastern Spain
Date built: 1996
Design: Santiago Calatrava Architects

aka Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

Photographs © Nick Weall

The City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble of five areas in the dry river bed of the now diverted River Turia in Valencia, Spain.

Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and started in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture. The “city” is made up of the following, usually known by their Valencian names: El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía – Opera house and performing arts centre; L’Hemisfèric – Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium; L’Umbracle – Walkway / Garden; El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe – Science museum; L’Oceanogràfic – Open-air oceanographic park.

Surrounded by attractive streams and pools of water, it and the surrounding areas of the “city” are typically used as a relaxing place to walk day or night, with an open air bar outside El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe during the evening.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

The Valencia Opera House
Spectacular building dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Measuring over 70 metres in height, the Palau de les Arts is divided into four separate halls, all boasting the latest technological advances conceived to stage all kinds of opera, musical and theatrical performances.

L’Hemisfèric

The Hemisphere
L’Hemisferic is a Laserium, Planetarium and IMAX cinema (over a 900 square meters of screen). It belongs to the City of Arts and Sciences complex. The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava. It has the shape of an eye, and is reflected 24.000 square meters lake.

El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe

Prince Felipe Museum of Science
The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava and reminds a whale skeleton. It is orientated to learning the sciences through experience, so everything is graphically displayed, with huge texts and pics, experiments, buttons to touch and experience… perfect to go with kids of 7-12 years!

L’ Oceanografic

The Oceanographic
L’Oceanogràfic invites us to travel around the planet’s main seas and oceans. More than 45,000 examples of 500 different marine species inhabit nine underwater towers that, structured in two levels, represent the most emblematic ecosystems of the planet.