Welcome to Valencia!

With its rich heritage, wealth of architecture new and old, and vibrant calendar of cultural events, is among the Mediterranean's most attractive and most festive cities.

Valencia has traditionally sought to protect all the attributes of a big city -- it is Spain's third largest - without suffering from any of the drawbacks. Situated in a fertile valley watered by two rivers, the Jucar and the Turia, the city boasts a long tradition of agriculture -- citrus orchards in particular - enhanced by irrigation systems first set up by the Romans and then improved by the Moors.

With a history stretching back to Roman times and encompassing Visigoth and Moorish periods, the city's architecture is delightfully rich, offering magnificent churches, elegant museums and romantic promenades. Valencia is in constant renewal, with innovative surprises such as an old river bed converted into a sprawling urban park. The new waterside Congress Centre, built by Sir Norman Foster and opening in July 1998, will guarantee Valencia's place in the intellectual life of Europe.