Things to do in Valencia – Take a Walk in Barri El Carme

The neighborhoods of Valencia’s Old Town, or Viutat Vella, make up the city’s historical center and include the ‘barris‘ or neighborhoods of El Carme, El Mercat, and La Seu, among others. We enjoyed a day spent wandering around Barri el Carme, a neighborhood originally situated between Calle Serranos, Calle Caballeros, and the 11th century Arab city wall, that takes its name from the nearby Placa del Carmen and Convento del Carmen. The neighborhood, later enclosed by the 14th century Christian city wall, grew to include the area within the bend of the Turia River. (You may notice that the river is now the serpentine green space of the Jardí del Túria created when the river was redirected to spare the city from future floods.) El Carme is colorful and full of character, and offers a chance to experience an historical, working class Valencian neighborhood.

A stroll through El Carme will take you past modern and medieval buildings, old churches and religious institutions, a market, museums and public gardens. Some of what you’ll see includes:

Iglesia del Carmen – a 13th century church, now the parish of Santa Cruz located in Placa del Carmen, adjoining the Convento del Carmen. The church is easily recognizable for its elegant façade. Look for the wall of statues in scallop capped niches framed by doric columns.

Palacio de Pineda Barri el Carme Valencia Spain

 

Palacio de Pineda – an 18th century palace built for Don Francisco Salvador de Pineda, General Intendant of the Kingdoms of Valencia and Murcia, and Chief Justice of Valencia. The Palace, located across Placa del Carmen opposite Iglesia del Carmen, served for a time, as home to the charitable community of the Angelicas. Today, the palace is part of the Universidad Internacional Menéndez y Pelayo.

IVAM – the Valencia Institute of Modern Art located at Calle de Guillem de Castro, 118. We enjoyed the area around the museum which is filled with interesting and colorful street art.

Asilo del Marques de Campo – the ornate 19th century ‘asylum’, built as a shelter for poor children; now part of the Catholic University of Valencia. A little ways down Calle Corona at 3 Plaza de Mosén Sorell, you’ll find the convenient neighborhood market, Abrimos de Nuevo, in case you’d like to pick up a quick snack or cold drink.

 

Jardin Botánico Barri el Carme Valencia Spain

Jardin Botánico – the city’s Botanical Gardens located in the northwestern section of the Old Town, near the Jardí del Túria. Though we only made it to the entrance, this does look like a nice place to spend an afternoon, especially to escape from the sun. At the time of our visit, regular admission price was just 2.00€ per person.

Centro Arrupe Jesuitas Barri el Carme Valencia Spain

Centro Arrupe Jesuitas Valencia – a Jesuit college located near the citrus and sculpture garden, Jardin de las Hesperides.

El Carme is also where you’ll find:

Convento del Carmen, a former monastery turned art center (Centre del Carme), and the two remaining Medieval city gates, Torres de Quart to the west and Torres de Serranos to the northeast. More on the city gates and Centre del Carme in future posts.

The tour that we took was based on this self guided walking tour courtesy of Valencia-Cityguide.com.

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  1. By Map Of Rome Neighborhoods | All About Map – Ceamass.Org 29 Aug ’19 at 11:48 am

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