Point of interest
Jardín del Turia
in Valencia, Spain
A 9-km green ribbon laid out in the drained Turia riverbed, looping the city for walkers, cyclists and runners — Valencia's outdoor living room.
Where it is
In the former bed of the Turia river, curving for some 9 km across the city from the western districts to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Address: Jardín del Turia, 46010 Valencia
What it is
At around 110 hectares one of the largest urban parks in Spain, with pines, palms, fountains, sports grounds and paths running under the historic bridges. Popular for running, cycling and strolling; the Gulliver playground lies to the west, while the eastern end reaches the Ciudad de las Artes.
History
After the devastating flood of 1957, the Turia was diverted around the city between 1965 and 1969. Instead of the planned urban motorway, residents campaigned under the slogan "el riu és nostre i el volem verd" (the river is ours and we want it green); the linear park opened in 1986.