The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
An imposing futuristic buildings complex
The City of Arts and Sciences (Spanish:
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is a cultural and
architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most
important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of
the 12 Treasures of Spain.
The City of Arts and Sciences is situated at the
southeast end of the former riverbed of the river Turia, which was
drained and rerouted after a catastrophic flood in 1957. The old
riverbed was turned into a picturesque sunken park.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the project began the
first stages of construction in July 1996, and was inaugurated on 16
April 1998 with the opening of L'Hemisfèric. The last major component of
the City of Arts and Sciences, Palau de les Arts Reina
Sofía, was inaugurated on 9 October 2005, Valencian Community Day. The
most recent building in the complex, L'Àgora, was opened in 2009.