Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia
ID: GYG458892-821500
Category:
Country: Spain
Duration:
01:15 hours
Description
Discover how a small Roman riverside settlement grew into a European powerhouse on this audio tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback as you stroll from one gate to another on this walking tour.
The history of Valencia is a story about the relationship between a city and its river. Its first Roman settlement was built on an island in the Turia River in 138 BC. The settlement grew, influenced by the river until 1957 when, after a catastrophic flood, it was decided that the torrent should be diverted. On this walking tour, you’ll wade through 2,000 years of history that developed alongside the river.
Our tour starts on Pont dels Serrans in Turia Gardens. I’ll then guide you from Torres de Serranos, an old city gate, through the maze of churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in the heart of Ciutat Vella (the old town) to emerge through Torres De Quart, Valencia’s other remaining gate. En route, I’ll show you the city’s most breathtaking attractions including Valencia Cathedral’s impressive 800-year-old Door of the Almoina, the Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas, and Europe’s narrowest house, La Casa mas Estrecha. Along with churches, we’ll visit a few mosques. For 500 years, Valencia was an Islamic Caliphate during the North African Muslim Moors’ occupation. Much of their impact on the city was stamped out when the Christians took over but on this tour, I’ll show you the tell-tale signs of this historic chapter from the city’s past.
On this 75-minute walk, you’ll also:
• Search for the Holy Grail
• Hear about the invention of Spain’s national dish, Paella, in the fields of Valencia
• Visit two important archaeological digs at Galería del Tossal: first the Muralla Árabe and then La Almoina Archaeological Museum
• Discover the sites of medieval executions and learn why Margarida Borras, a transgendered woman in the 1400s, was hung without pants on
• See Valencia’s first public hospital, Sant Joan de l’Hospital, which relied mostly on miracles rather than medicine for healing
• Spot the cannonball holes in one of two city gates
• Grab a bite in the “Cathedral of the Senses,” Mercat Central
• Visit the city’s most impressive and beautiful Catholic places of worship, including the Royal Basilica, Valencia Cathedral, and Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir
• Find out who Little Michael was and why his hat was too small
• Take in one of the city’s best preserved Gothic buildings, the Silk Exchange
It’s easy to fall in love with Valencia’s pretty face, but when you peek into its past and find out what shaped its personality, you’ll love it even more. Its history runs deep like the Turia River it relied on for most of its life. By the end of this tour, you’ll be enchanted with the place... and possibly craving a Paella.
Highlights
- See the tell-tale signs of this city's past
- Hear from producer John Hipper, an Australian now living in Spain
- Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way
- Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
- Use the virtual tour option at home
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The tour uses a mobile app. You will need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour
It is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace
You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It is best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point
When the download is complete, you will see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point
The tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next Please note that you'll need to use your own mobile device and headphones for this tour. The tour is only available in English
This tour begins in the middle of the bridge in front of the Torres de Serranos, it's mere seconds away from the towers over the Turia Gardens. Towers of Serranos is a walkable distance from Old Town. If you're in a hotel in the outer suburbs, taxi into the center (most hotels are in the town center so it's an easy walk).
From the very center of the action - Plaza de la Virgen, it's a 5-minute walk. North, on Carrer de Navellos, then left at the Turia Gardens.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
