Point of interest
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
in Valencia, Spain
Santiago Calatrava's futuristic complex on the old Turia riverbed, home to a science museum, planetarium and L'Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest aquarium.
Where it is
At the south-eastern end of the Turia Park, in the Quatre Carreres district, along the former bed of the Turia river.
Address: 7 Avinguda del Professor López Piñero (Historiador de la Medicina), 46013 Valencia
What it is
The futuristic ensemble of white concrete and reflecting pools includes the Science Museum, the Hemisfèric IMAX cinema, the Palau de les Arts opera house, the Umbracle garden and the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. It is the symbol of modern Valencia and worth a visit for the architecture alone.
History
The complex was largely designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, with the Oceanogràfic by Félix Candela. It opened in stages from 1998 with the Hemisfèric and grew over the following decade into one of Spain's most ambitious architectural projects.