Velencia Spain - 2018.02.07

This is the fifth stop of our cruise around the Mediterranean. We will be visiting pain and the city of Valencia. Unfortunately, we will not have time to visit Barcelona when the trip is finished.

The history of Spain dates back to the Early Middle Ages. Chuck & Virginia in Spain

In 1516, Habsburg Spain unified a number of disparate predecessor kingdoms; its modern form of a constitutional monarchy was introduced in 1813, and the current democratic constitution dates to 1978.

Note: I was in Portugal for my 76th birthday in February of 2016. I spent time in and around the area of Lisbon and then took the train to Porto to check out the city and of course, the fantastic port! Besides reviewing my Spanish trip, check out my trip to Portugal if you have time! - Portugal – 76th Birthday - 2016.02.04

After the completion of the Reconquista, the kingdoms of Spain were united under Habsburg rule in 1516. At the same time, the Spanish Empire began to expand to the New World across the ocean, marking the beginning of the Spanish Golden Age of Spain, during which, from the early 1500s to the 1650s, Habsburg Spain was among the most powerful states in Europe.

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Valencia City Tour

Encounter more than two millennia of history on this tour of Valencia. First founded by the Romans in 138 BC, the city now boasts an impressive collection of historic buildings. Begin with a panoramic drive passing the Bullring, the impressive Estació del Nord (North Train Station) and Serrano Gate, before heading out to the more modern parts of Valencia to see the stunning City of Arts & Sciences. Stop at the Town Hall and enjoy a stroll to the cathedral at Plaza de la Virgen, commonly known as the "Seu." It was consecrated in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia, Pere d'Albalat, and dedicated to Saint Mary by order of James I the Conqueror. After a visit of its interior, you can independently explore the surrounding area including the Generalitat Palace and its numerous shops, before returning to your ship.

The Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia (Spanish: Iglesia Catedral-Basílica Metropolitana de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de Valencia, Valencian: Església Catedral-Basílica Metropolitana de l'Assumpció de la Mare de Déu de València), alternatively known as Saint Mary's Cathedral or Valencia Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic parish church in Valencia, Spain. The cathedral was consecrated in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the Reconquista, Pere d'Albalat, Archbishop of Tarragona, and was dedicated by order of James I the Conqueror to Saint Mary. It was built over the site of the former Visigothic cathedral, which under the Moors had been turned into a mosque. The Valencian Gothic is the predominant architectural style of the cathedral, although it also contains Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classical elements. The cathedral contains numerous 15th-century paintings, some by local artists (such as Jacomart), others by artists from Rome engaged by the Valencian Pope Alexander VI who, when still a cardinal, made the request to elevate the Valencian See to the rank of metropolitan see, a category granted by Pope Innocent VIII in 1492.

They used alabaster stone to put in the windows instead of glass so the light is a rich mellow color.