A River Ran Through It – El Jardin del Turia

The Turia river ran through Valencia until a disastrous flood in 1957. The city fathers said ¡Nunca Mas! and diverted the river south of the city, leaving a huge tract of land that crosses the city from West to East, bordering the historical centre.

What to do with that reclaimed space? Create a massive public park of course! Urban planners and landscapists each designed sections of the park which stretches for 9 km from the Bioparc (A zoo which recreates the African Savannah) in the east, to the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencia in the west.

Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias

The former riverbed now dominates the city with a massive greenbelt. Think New York’s Central Park crossed with the Highline, but bigger and better.

Overhead View of El Jardin del Turia

The meandering park links cultural and historical points in Valencia , like the Serranos Towers, a gate in the old city walls that surrounded Valencia,

Torres de Serrano

the Valencia Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) and the Museum of Fine Arts, all located on the former banks of the Turia, 

Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts)

The park is filled with Valencianos running, cycling, even playing cricket.

Of course there are the yoga classes as well as drop in Salsa sessions.

The Turia Gardens are crossed by 18 bridges from different periods and architectural styles. The most outstanding historical bridges are those of San José (17th century), Serranos (16th century), Trinidad (15th century), El Real (16th century) and El Mar (16th century). 

We have been walking in the park daily to get from El Carmen to our Spanish Lessons near Benimaclet and what a pleasure it has been to be surrounded by nature, history and beauty.

Jardín del Turia

y San Pío V, y Paseos de la Ciudadela y de la Alameda, C. del Pintor López, 46003 València, Valencia