Market, Cathedral & Sangria

Back out into the old town of Valencia. Today we were exploring the old food market and Valencia Cathedral. The day was absolutely spectacular, with an insanely blue sky and fluffy white clouds scooting across. Everything seemed particularly vibrant and colourful.

First stop was the food market. There was so much variety and colour here, with gigantic capsicums, massive tomatoes, and bright purple eggplant. Butchers, bakers and fishmonger stalls were throughout this stylish building. We sampled some fresh juice, oysters, and some of the Spanish ham and chorizo on fresh bread, yum!

Finished in the market we crossed the road to the old silk merchants building which we saw on our first night in Valencia. At a cost of only 2 euro to enter, this building was definitely value for money! A beautiful, cool, outdoor square with a fountain and orange trees was central to the complex, while inside the tall stone columns and vaulted ceilings were epic. The upstairs room with its patterned marble floor and intricate wooden ceilings was also spectacular.

We continued on to Valencia Cathedral. We plugged ourselves into the audio guide which was included with our entry ticket (more places need to do this!) and set about admiring the cathedral's features. Our first Spanish Cathedral so there were definitely a few interesting items of note. Firstly was the range of different architectural styles, from Gothic, to baroque through to Neo classical designs also being represented. Vela got a little bored and tired so sent Nathan off to explore the rest of the treasures.

The main items of note included; the preserved severed arm of Saint Vincent (patron saint of Valencia), the gigantic golden processional piece, the tombs and foundations uncovered in the crypt beneath the cathedral, and the most spectacular piece being the chalice which Jesus drank from during the last supper. Very cool cathedral.

To top off our explorations we made sure to quench our thirst with an afternoon Sangria of course!Read more