Europe Fall 2024 - Valencia 2.2 Pictures

Were the forced marches in Valencia an attempt by the granddaughter to dissuade her photography crazed grandparents from running around like toddlers, stopping every 30 meters to run off and take another picture, or five, or ten? Could the amount of time that it took to get from place to place have been increased because of all this photographic meandering? 

As it turns out, 2.2 neither looks at nor comments on this blog so her views on the experience will never be heard. Nevertheless, we do have quite a few photos to post from the day's adventures.

A couple of shots from our apartment

 Learning the Metro

Our intrepid guide

 Our stoic participant

Valencia really does have one of the nicest cityscapes I have run into with a wide variety of building styles coming from the late 19th to early 20th century. I actually am not too conversant with those architectural schools so I looked up what was going on during that period. It was mind boggling!

Here are some examples 

Revival Styles

Revival styles were particularly popular during this era, drawing inspiration from earlier architectural periods:
Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Tudor Revival

Then there was Art Nouveau
characterized by organic, curvilinear forms inspired by natural, intricate decorative elements, use of new materials like iron and glass and integration of architecture with other art forms 

And Beaux-Arts
The Beaux-Arts style, originating from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, was influential in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It featured grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation, classical elements like columns and pediments, and the integration of sculpture and other decorative arts

And Early Modernism
Towards the early 20th century, modernist movements began to emerge, rejecting historical styles in favor of new forms and materials:

A smattering of Valencia building styles

Example of Nouveau Primate Style

Sadly Valencia is lacking in architectural scaffolding covers. Hardly a one to be seen on any important building. This was the one sad example we found.

False Advertising

That reads Valencia Capital of Green Europe. Seriously, did you see one green building any of our pictures?

Sculpture - Lots of modern sculpture in the city

Representation of a Real Man!

But, sadly, like so many men, not much on the inside

From an event with a ton of sedately dressed people, one who stood out

I wonder if they were talking to each other?

One goes to the market for...

Fresh eels

And cured octopus

The Dark Side of Valencia

Who knew there were enough bears in this town to have their own club!

And there is enough of a market for carcasses that there is a whole store devoted to them?

And Worst Of All...

You know that 'kinder' is the German world for child. So what do we make of...

 

and

Ice Cream made from children?

Here our own 2.2 decides to give this Valencian dark treat a try while Wife looks on aghast.