Impressive Architectures at City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences is a large-scale urban recreation center for culture and science in the city of Valencia, Spain. Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and started in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture. Set in the old dried-up river bed of the Turia, midway between the old city of Valencia and the coastal district of Nazaret, the City of Arts and Sciences covers an area of 350,000 square meters. Following a disastrous flood in 1957, the river was diverted along a canal to the south of the city, and the dried-out riverbed turned into a picturesque sunken park, which is the City of Arts and Sciences. Surrounded by attractive streams and pools of water, the “city” and the surrounding areas are typically used as a relaxing place to walk day or night. It is turning out to be the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia.
The complex was designed almost entirely by Valencia born Santiago Calatrava. L’Hemisfèric, the planetarium, was the first element to be opened to the public in April 1998. The building is meant to resemble a giant eye with an eyelid that opens to access the surrounding water pool. The bottom of the pool is glass, creating the illusion of the eye as a whole. L’Hemisfèric is the centerpiece of the City of Arts and Sciences.
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