21 surprising facts about Valencia

Did you know there is more than 1 Valencia? Learn 20 other interesting facts about Valencia, Spain here.

Shreya

6 minute read

Updated on 20 Mar 2024

To help you get to know Valencia, the 3rd largest city in Spain, we’re going to spill some interesting facts that you may not know of.

There’s more than 1 Valencia

There’re a total of 58 places across 18 countries that're called Valencia. Surprisingly, The Philippines has the most places with Valencia in the name.

Did you know that Valencia actually means valour or bravery? The Spanish city got its name in 138BC after the Romans recognised the bravery of the soldiers and called it Valentia Edetanorum.

Valencia was founded by the Romans in 138 BC

You can marvel at the Roman remains at the museum behind the famous Valencia Cathedral.

After the Romans, the city got conquered by the Visigoths and the Moors– each greatly influenced the culture, food, and architecture of Valencia.

Valencia had the honour of being the capital for 11 months

During the Spanish Civil War, the capital was moved from Madrid to Valencia in 1936. This was a short-term measure to protect Madrid from the attack by the Francoists. Though short-lived, being capital did great wonders for Valencia – economically and socially.

The 1st book was printed in Valencia

It took 34 years after the introduction of the printing press for the first literary book to be published.

In 1474, a collection of poems was published in Valencia. You can visit the University of Valencia’s public library to take a peek.

Valencia held the status of the best expat city in 2020

InterNations did a study of 66 cities and recognised Valencia as the best city for foreigners in 2020. This was the first and the only time that Valencia made it to their list.

Expats particularly loved the city’s low cost of living, excellent healthcare system, the friendliness of the locals, and the weather.

Valencia continues to be one of the 5 best places to live in Spain as an expat.

Valencia ranks as the healthiest city in the world in 2022

Valencia has been voted as the healthiest city to live in for 2 consecutive years!

This ranking was done by Money.co.uk. They considered various factors such as life expectancy (83.5 years), safety, obesity, air quality, hours of sunlight, quality of medical care, and health coverage.

Valencia was the World Design Capital in 2022

Valencia has a stunning mix of historic and urban architecture that has been admired by the world for centuries-long. So it’s no surprise that the city has been chosen as the World Design Capital.

After all, they’ve effective design strategies that positively impact the economy, improve the quality of life, are inclusive, and are sustainable.

There’re 116,652 foreigners in Valencia, making up 14.5% of the population

In their latest demographic report, the Valencian city hall reported that of the 800,180 citizens living in Valencia, 14.5% are non-Spaniards. These're the biggest expat groups:

South America- 28%
Citizens from European Union- 27%
Asia- 16.4%
Africa- 10.4%
Citizens from the rest of Europe- 9.3%
North and Central America- 9%
Others- 0.11%

Spy on conversations 50m away at the City of Arts and Sciences

Take your friend and head towards the giant arch outside the building with the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Stand on opposite sides of the arch, which's about 50m from each other. Despite the distance, you can clearly hear what’s being said on the other end, thanks to the mind-bending laws of physics.

The Turia park used to be a river

Valencia’s largest park in the middle of a city used to be a river that had a tendency to overflow. After a fatal flooding event in 1957, the city decided to divert the river to the outskirts and make a motorway. Valencians were simply not having it and their protest got them this lovely green space instead.

Valencia has the largest aquarium in Europe

L’Oceanogràfic isn't only the largest aquarium in Europe but also one of the largest in the world. The aquarium welcomes nearly 2 million visitors a year and is home to 45,000 animals that belong to 500 different species. You can find beluga whales, penguins, birds, reptiles, and more.

The first psychiatric hospital was founded in Valencia

Back when psychiatric patients were treated inhumanely or went through exorcisms, Valencia made huge strides by setting up the world’s first psychiatric hospital. The hospital de Ignoscents Folls e Orats welcomed patients in 1410 and began changing the way people approached psychiatric patients.

The world’s second narrowest building is in Valencia

Someone in Valencia built a building façade that's only 107 cm broad since property taxes used to be based on the façade width. This makes this building the narrowest in Europe and the 2nd narrowest in the world. The narrowest building in the world's in Brazil.

The world’s most expensive bridge used to be in Valencia

The Puente de las Flores is a beautiful, colourful bridge that’s always adorned with 27,000 flowers. Unfortunately, this beauty came at a price. It cost the city more than €4.5 million in less than 10 years of its inauguration to replace the flowers 4 times a year and pay for staff, repairs and thefts. Due to the economic crisis and wasteful spending, it was decided to slash spending.

Valencia has the largest market in Europe

Love local markets? Then you’ve got to visit Mercado Central, Europe’s largest and one of the oldest markets that also led the way for online orders and home delivery of fresh produce. The entire building's also special because of its art nouveau design and its connection with the Lonja de la Seda building.

For a unique experience, take the public transport to Mercado Cental, shop fresh produce at the market, and have chefs in the market cook it for you for a very small fee.

The Vatican recognises Valencia as the city of the Holy Grail

Do you know the Holy Grail– the cup that Jesus drank from during the last supper? It’s believed that the Holy Grail's in Valencia, among other cities vying for this title, including Jerusalem and Rome.

So although there’s no real evidence, thousands of people have visited Valencia to see this infamous Holy Grail at the Cathedral of Valencia. It was even used ceremoniously by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

Valencia boasts 3 UNESCO sites

Llotja de la Seda- This iconic Gothic building from the 15th century was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1996. The symbolism and its function as a place for silk exchange during the silk trade are reasons for deserving this title.
El Tribunal de las Aguas- This tribunal was declared as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009 because of how long and important its function has been. Since the Roman era, this tribunal is held every Thursday under the gates of the Cathedral of Valencia to resolve any conflicts among farmers face to face and in public.
Las Fallas was added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016 because of the scale and uniqueness of the festival.

Valencia hosts the biggest party in Europe that's part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Spain's known for its fun fiestas, whether it’s in the form of nightlife or festivals. Valencia’s La Fallas is one such festival that you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting in March.

Las Fallas is a world-famous festival that lasts 19 days and attracts nearly 3 million people. The city’s population more than doubled during this time! The last 5 days as the most fun, when people dress up, blast loud music, offer delicious food, host a procession, and much more.

The highlight's on March 19 when people light up the streets and sky with fireworks and nearly 700 fallas – giant satirical paper mache, cardboard, polystyrene or wooden structures of people or monuments.

The oldest 3 Kings Day celebration was in Valencia

If you don’t know yet, the 3 Kings Day parade (Reyes Magos) takes place on January 5th. Children eagerly wait for this day as there’s a giant procession and the Kings throw candies towards the crowds. The next day the 3 Kings give the children their Christmas presents.

It’s believed that the oldest parade in Spain took place in Valencia in 1885. Some historians believe that this could also be the oldest in the world.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 9th of October

Instead of the 14th of February, Valencia celebrates the spirit of Valentine’s Day on 9th October, which's also known as Sant Dionis Day. Typically men will gift women marzipan in the shape of fruits and covered in a silk handkerchief (mocadorà).

This day's also special because it celebrates King Jaime I’s arrival in Valencia after he defeated the Moors.

Valencia's the birthplace of paella

Saving the last one for a fact that you might know if you’ve read about traditional Spanish food. Paella was bought to Valencia by the Moors in the 10th century and it became a staple. The original paella was made with rabbit, chicken, snails, duck, vegetables, and a dash of saffron.

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