Valencia Day

October 9th, 2015

In addition to the wonderfully festive celebration of Valencia, October 9th is also regarded as somewhat of a Valentine’s Day for Valencians. On this day, the males of Valencia are supposed to give sweet sugar candies shaped like fruits wrapped in a silk scarf to any female they choose. (Typically the recipient is a significant other, but neither mothers nor aunts are excluded either!)

Today, Valencia Day is a commemoration of the place we call home and of the women in our lives who deserve a little sugar. It is a community festival meant to unite the people of Valencia through music, historical displays, festivities, food, and love. My time in Valencia could not have been a completed one without seeing our home endure such a festive time as Valencia day. If I had the choice, you can bet that I would come back every year.

Candies that are molded like fruits. They are wrapped
in a special silk scarf for Valencia Day only,
and given by men to their significant female other.

I had the pleasure of experiencing Valencia Day on Friday, October 9th. The study center hummed with excitement with the festive energy that had been taking place just outside our doors all week long. Today was the day: Valencia day. October 9th celebrates two different occasions: the region of Valencia itself, and the feast of San Dionisio. 

In celebration of Valencia itself, a street fair is thrown all throughout the town. Just outside the study center, street vendors selling traditional Valencian food and other local favorites filled the square, streets closed down, and people filled every square inch that they could. Across the street, more street vendors lined the bridge, however, they sold trinkets and jewelry rather than food (with the exception of a cart selling amazing roasted nuts).

~Christian "Macho" Camacho

Los Viveros Park

San Pio V, s/n, 46001 València, Valencia
Telephone: 953 52 54 78

Of the many surprises new cities can offer, el Jardín de Viveros (or Los Viveros Park) was one of them. I had no idea of the new world that was introduced to me during a trip to the park for Dr. No's Humanities class.

The park's name is derived from the Royal Palace that used to stand proudly in the vicinity of the gardens up until 1810. It was build under the kings of the Taifa de Valencia, with the initial intention of being a pleasure palace. In 1560, a nursery was removed to make room for the orange and lemon trees that were being moved into the Palace of Aranjuez. In the 20th century, the gardens were repopulated, beautified, and then donated to the city of Valencia in 1903.

The park is filled with a wide variety of plant life and trees which is a testament to the fertile soil of Valencia. Each new area of the park has at least one water crafted in a different Spanish style. I felt as though I was transported going into each new location. There was an old building that was once a school, old stones used for grinding corn were laid in a plain field of grass, and mazes and mazes of bushes surrounded the park. Animal wilderness is a common sight as well. There are birds held in a bird cage with another Spanish water fountain and a statue of a boy feeding the birds. There are statues all over the place, each striking a different pose or decorating the garden in a still manner. Overall, the way the sun hit the green grass and trees of the park, there could not have been a more beautiful place to get lost.

Today, los Viveros serves as a standing representation of Valencia's fertile soil and as a beautiful green ornament to the town. It is a great public space for dating, strolls (I'm sure Lars loves to walk through there), or take in the vivacity of los Viveros. I greatly enjoyed my time in the park. Seeing the various trees and the openness of the park reminded me of the open spaces of Balboa park near my house in Reseda, California. I could see myself returning to the park with my guitar, sitting on the bench by the leafy tunnel, and playing for a few hours. I think a musical walk through the park would be a wonderful way to spend the day.

~Christian "Macho" Camacho

The City of Arts and Sciences

Av. del Profesor López Piñero, 7, 46013 València, Valencia
Telephone: 902 10 00 31

El Museu de les Ciències Principe Felipe

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

Have you ever wondered what the future would be like? People spend years envisioning what it could look like, to just have a glimpse at what where our architectural, scientific, and technological advancements will take us; well, all you need to do is take a trip to Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences.

Going to the City of Arts and Sciences is like taking a trip to a town set decades from now. The abstract, curved figures resemble buildings out of a science fiction novel. This made it the perfect place to film a movie Brad Bird's 2015 Disney movie, Tomorrowland. The city has several different buildings, each with a different purpose.

To the left is el Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, an active Opera House and concert venue. It is dedicated to musical concerts and the scenic arts. Events are performed in four large main rooms: a Main Room, Magisterial Classroom, the Amphitheater, and the Theater of Camera.

L'Ágora

Just across the way is el Museu de les Ciències Prìncipe Felipe, or the science museum. This structure was built to resemble the skeleton of a whale. It is an interactive museum where people can go to learn about the latest scientific innovations and about Spanish/Valencian scientists who have made significant scientific contributions. Each floor has something different: the first floor has a gorgeous view of the Turia Gardens. The second floor is home to the "Legacy of Science" exhibit that displays the scientists previously mentioned. And finally, the third floor, or the "Chromosome Forest," features the sequencing of human DNA, along with the "Zero Gravity" and "Marvel Superheros" exhibit.

L'Ágora has been home to serval sporting events, concerts and conferences. Perhaps its most well known event is the Valencia Open 500. It is a popular concert venue and has hosted the Freestyle Burn Spanish Cup and the Christmas Special program.

L'Oceanogràfic is known as the largest oceanographic aquarium in all of Europe. The park was built by architect Félix Candela to look like a lily pad. It houses over five hundred different species of animals that inhabit different aquatic environments from the Wetlands to Temperate and Tropical seas. These four areas are only part of what make the metropolitan area of the City of Arts and Sciences.

The City is Valencia's newest, most renovated area, and represents the progressive and innovative attitude of the Valencian people. It is a shining insight of the city's bright future. I personally love the City of Arts and Sciences. It is a youth-friendly area, while still being appropriate for all ages. Though I only had the opportunity to see one of Berklee College of Music's esteemed Concerts on the Lake, the Berklee music students never cease to amaze me. I hope to find myself in that particular area more often. For frequent party goers, Mya or L'Umbracle are two hot spots to attend on a beautiful Friday night. Needless to say, this is certainly a must see on a visit to Valencia.


~Christian "Macho" Camacho

La Reina Friendly Restaurant

Plaça de Santa Caterina, 3, 46001 València, Valencia; Plaza de la Reina
Telephone: 639 65 05 23

No one could imagine a restaurant named La Reina (the Queen) could provide royal food in such a casual way. So eloquently named, yet so comfortably serviced, La Reina dished out a variety of traditional Valencian platters (namely Paella) with a modern twist since its opening in 2012. The restaurant’s hues of baby blue and white schemed walls with oaky brown bookshelves were filled with books and dark brown beer bottles that radiated an air of collegiate sophistication. The lighting above was drew easy, golden circles on the tables that could ease anyone into a calm dinner spent with friends.

Upon entering the threshold of the contemporary restaurant, tapas and large kegs of beer line the bar immediately to the right. The tapas consisted of many fried foods, something that reminded me of America (we Americans do love our fried foods). They were essentially fried finger food sandwiches, which is enough to make any American palate salivate. Outside was the patio, where one could see la Plaza de la Reina and the people passing by.

I actually got to learn about La Reina's cultural importance through a conversation with the head chef, Jim Harris. Not only did I enjoy our talk, but I rather appreciated it as well. He helped show me a new viewpoint in the making of paella and the passion that goes into making it, as well. As a chef in my own way back home, I found that there was a lot to learn from what Mr. Harris had to say in regards to his culinary experience abroad. Adding a modern twist to antiquated ideas and styles is what this generation seeks to strive in. Jim Harris and the people at La Reina certainly have done a great job preserving and continuing Valencian traditional food. I can certainly say my experience at this restaurant will certainly not be my last. Bon appetit.

~Christian "Macho" Camacho

Hoya de Cadenas Winery

Ctra. Utiel a Camporrobles km 8.5, 46313 Las Cuevas de Utiel
Telephone: 962 18 25 07

A day of discovery and sophistication found the students of FSU as we took a Friday trip to the Hoya de Cadenas, a Valencia based winery. Hoya de Cadenas is located on a hill in the town of Utiel, with weather conditions perfect for winemaking. We toured the beautiful 200 hectare Hoya de Cadenas estate via their convenient winery train. The first stop was a step inside the beautiful office-house and the old cellars.

There are over 20,000 barrels in storage.

The train took us through the vineyard to see the various grapes used to make the different types of wines, from red wine to champagne. We saw the view from the residency where the winery owners stay. The business has been passed down for generations since 1885 and has always stayed in the same house when they visit the estate. In the backyard was where they used to grind the grapes manually and the children could pick the grapes for the family business. A long line of family traditions is still being carried out.

Next, we were taken to something of an exhibit of art in the shape of wine barrels. Beautifully decorated barrels of wine were lined up and placed on display for our admiration. Artists would take to their creativity and repurpose the containers, altering the way that they looked or adding pieces. This was assemblage in its most high class form.





Afterwards, we were taken to the part that people were looking forward to the most: the wine tasting. We walked into the room that was apparently only one level above the art gallery and warmly lit by by a soft glow overhead. There were two rows of tables with tall chairs and empty crystal wine glasses waiting to meet our lips. Our hosts went into the storage rooms and pulled out three bottles of wine: a sparkling white wine, and two different red wines. We enjoyed our wines with crunchy breadstick snacks. I personally enjoyed the sparkling white wine the most!

And just when we thought the excitement was over, we visited the final stop: the gift shop. Personally, I am not a big alcohol drinker, but I enjoy a casual drink with my friends, so I bought a bottle of the sparkling wine and a bottle of Sangria for seven euros! However, I differ greatly from some of the hedonistic students who came on this trip. Cases on cases on cases of sparkling white wine were purchased by various students. To be honest, it worries me sometimes how much these kids drink... but I digress.

The winery currently produces and sells hundreds of thousands of bottles of wine every year. Valencia proudly sells products of Hoya de Cadenas in most stores, as it was the cite of birth and raising for the winery. Anybody can register to tour Monday through Friday.

In regards to my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I greatly appreciated the art exhibit, as it was a union of both art and wine culture. After visiting (and tasting their wine), I feel as though wine from Hoya de Cadenas not only identifies with Valencia, but with me as well, considering that now Valencia is my home too. Also, this was my first time purchasing wine or any personal alcohol. It was an experience to engage in foreign drinking culture, especially out here in Spain, where drinking with friends is not about how fast one get drink and get drunk, but rather about the quality of time spent with the people one truly cares about.

~Christian "Macho" Camacho

El Museo de Bellas Artes (The Museum of Fine Arts)

Carrer de San Pius V, 9, 46010 València; The Carmen District
http://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es/
Telephone: 963 87 03 00

Many things surprise me everyday about living here in Valencia, and in Europe in general. One of the major differences that surprised me was how relatively close the arts can be to where we live (starting with the Torres de Serrano right outside our door). Just an ear shot and a glance across the riverbed is the glistening blue dome of the Museum of Fine Arts. It is defined not only by its blue semi-sphere, but also by the two castle-like towers on either side. The entrance to the museum consists of high columns, with a gated window and a cross at the top, commemorating the museum's religious past. Upon immediate entry,  a circular room adorns larger than life paintings and artifacts along the walls and a statue in the center. Above the statue is the dome, colored in a deeply saturated blue with dotted yellow stars held up by eight different columns. Below the dome are windows that show the museum's art library, the perfect resource for art students and critics alike.

One of the large scale paintings
in the immediate entrance.
(Featuring Dr. No)

 Now, entering the museum itself, the first floor displays a large collection of religious statues and paintings. From varied scenes of the Last Supper to strange depictions of the terrors that await sinners in hell, the first floor of the museum shows the diversity of important religious paintings.

While these paintings beautifully elicit important religious scenes, I would say that I spend the most time in the Sorolla exhibit. Sorolla, a native Valencian, painted pastoral scenes of the beach, family members, and of human emotion. Personally, I enjoy Sorolla's vivid colors and depictions of the beach, as well as his interpretations of the human emotion in the first room of his exhibit.

The second floor still holds various paintings of religious background, however there is more on the transition to secular topics during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods. The second floor features artists like Francisco de Goya, Vicente Lopez, and Muñoz Degraín. Paintings feature the different aspects of daily life. Patron saints are shown showing mercy to sinful and musicians are shown playing in front of Greek structures. Clearly, there is a great diversity when it comes to the themes and subjects shown here in the Museum of Fine Arts.

This museum was not always a house of such beautiful pieces of art. It was first build in 1683 on the order the archbishop John Thomas de Rocaberti as a residency for missionaries and a school for Junior clerks under the name St. Pius V. The structure has also been a nunnery (maybe the one that Hamlet referred Ophelia to), a school for arts, and, perhaps most interestingly, a storage facility during the Civil War. It was dismantled and used as a means to store artistic master pieces that had to be preserved.

Today, el Museo de Belles Artes still preserves pieces of fine and presents them to the public. Anyone wondering the streets can walk in to see the exhibits because the entry is free. This provides a free tool and countless educational opportunities for many university art students to come and study. It represents the prominent art scene in Valencia and the history of art in the city. Considering the museums long history and what it provides to others, I think it is an important facet of Valencian culture. It is open to the public, the paintings tell a story of Valencian art, the exhibits are fascinating. I rather enjoyed this museum a lot. I particularly enjoy its homage to Sorolla, who was a native of Valencia. Certainly a must see when in Valencia if one is interested in Classic arts.

~Christian "Macho" Camacho

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia

Carrer de la Llotja, 2, 46001 València, Valencia
Telephone: 962 08 41 53

La Sala de Contratacion

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Central Market is La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia. La Lonja (meaning "the Silk Exchange") was the cite of one of the world's largest silk trades. The Valencian Gothic style building was built  between 1482 and 1548. It's modestly blank outer walls do not compare to the intricately designed insides.

Before even reaching the main buildings, there is the beautiful garden. A star-shaped fountain precedes the entirety of the garden. In the garden, trees bear various fruits. I take this to further demonstrate Valencia's fertility. This idea is interesting and makes logical sense, considering the importance of showing out-of-towners coming to a center of center of economic fertility and prosperity just how fertile and prosperous the city really is.

The structure has three main components. First, is the Sala de Contratacion, or the Contract Hall (or main hall). This is where merchants from all over the world would come to draw up their contracts to exchange silks from their homes. It was also the most active room. Second is the Pavilion of the Consulate (the side wing). This area was home to the Tribunal del Mar– First Spanish merchant tribunal. The first two floors of the pavilion are the main function areas, while the third floor has a uniquely decorated ceiling. Finally, there is the central tower. This tower was made to hold prisoners and imprison merchants with debts. They would be publicly humiliated in front of the entire floor as they were rushed up to the central towers to be locked up.

This is the chapel right in between the contract
room and the Pavilion.

Today, la Lonja is a modern museum used to take people back a time when it was a center of Valencian economic prosperity. Since 1996, it has been considered a World Heritage Site. Like the Central Market, La Lonja serves as a symbol of a time when people united on a global scale to exchange culture and network. It is a symbol of the height of Valencia's economic position and a power.

As for me, I personally found the architecture of la Lonja to be fascinating. I had never seen such wonderfully wound spiral columns like the ones in the Contract Room. Perhaps one of my favorite parts was seeing the beautiful gold encrusted ceiling on the third floor of the Pavilion. I think what also took my breathe was just how much history and meaning was packed into such small building, that seems so hidden from everywhere else. I mean, I was standing in a room where world class merchants once stood. Breathtaking.

A Cross above the entry way to the
Central Tower

~Christian "Macho" Camacho