Valencia, Spain - walking tour continued

 Pouring with rain today and I had already decided that, after the busy day yesterday, I would just relax today. Paint, read, scroll. So I continue the description of the walking tour started yesterday.

After the Governors house we walked to the Plaza of the Virgen which is right in the heart of old Valencia.and was also the centre of Roman Valencia (meaning Valor)

Here there is the Valencia Cathedral, which was originally a Roman Temple, then a Mosque.

the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados (Homeless)

and the Turia fountain.

The fountain represents the Turia River, providing the Horn of Plenty to the surrounding countryside and

 

 the maidens around represent the irrigation channels that are still in use.

The maidens have the traditional hairstyle of Valencian woman. Photo by Chris with my phone.

 The traditional Valencian women's hairstyle, central to the Fallera costume, features a sophisticated, 18th-century-inspired look with a central parting, intricate back braids, and a low, tight bun (mono). It is heavily adorned with three ornamental gold pins (aguja de moño), two side combs (peinetas), and side rolls, creating an iconic, regal, and symmetrical appearance. from AI Summary.

Our guide compared it to Princess Leia of Star Wars. 

While we were in the square a women walked by in the traditional silk dress and hairstyle, with her photographer.

 

We walked between the Cathedral and the Church into the next square

Where we could look into this shallow pool that covers a glass ceiling over ruins of Roman baths. The Archeological Museum is also on the square.

It also reflected the surrounding buildings rather nicely.

We walked through narrow streets

and secluded squares

Into another huge plaza behind the Cathedral. It is possible to walk up a narrow, stone, spiral staircase, 207 steps to the top of the Cathedral's Bell Tower. Reviews indicate that it is challenging and claustrophobic but worth it for the views. I am not yet sure if I will tackle it.

Then it was on to the Central Market

with its symbol, the parrot, on the weather vane. The parrot was chosen due to the chattering and gossiping that happened at the market.

Opposite is the Silk Exchange, Jail and Courts.

This was the end of our tour. It had been just over 2hours long, and covered the centre of old Valencia.

Although marketed as free, the guide is paid through tips and you pay what you think it was worth. I did not pay much attention to my photography, just quick snaps as we walked around as I know I will be back and explore these sites in more depth on my own or with visitors.

My first priority now was to find a washroom. Public washrooms are in short supply but I knew there would be one in the market. Had to ask a couple of stall vendors but I found it in the basement with a modern credit card and turnstile entrance.

We were all really hungry. The guide had recommended a tapas place but it turned out to be closed so we just stopped at the first one we saw. Wine, Perrier, Sangria, Fanta, calamari, mushroom croquettes, meat thingies (Kristin didn't really understand what she was ordering or quite what they were when they came), olives, bread and, for Chris, a plate of ham, potatoes and eggs. 

We sat under the awning as it had started to rain and it stopped just as we left. Perfect timing.

We were now in search of some pastries and went back into the market but as it was nearly 3 most of the stalls were closed.

One of the beautiful ceiling domes in the market.

Tile facade. There are no metro stops in the old section so we walked for a while to find one, transferred at one of the stops onto the line that took us back to Rafelbunyol and the car.

The walking tour had been an excellent way to get the lay of the land in the centre of old Valencia and to get some basic history of the area. The guide was good at getting us involved and answering questions on history, politics, religion, customs etc.