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