Pictures and Stories About Bicycle Adventures

Above Left: It is clear and cool today, yesterday we could not see the mountains (too windy and hazy). This is a view from our hotel room window. It is going to become a good day!

Above Right: We took a city bus (#62) to this spot across from the Central Mercato. Oddly, we will visit the Mercato on our tour and will return to buy Saffron (cheap) and good Rioja Wine (cheap). Then we will walk 50 meters/yards back to this spot to catch our bus back to our hotel.

Above: Cool Street Mural Art. To me, it looks like the same paint colors between the left and right images. We did see art similar to the left side image in another place, definitely the same Artist.

Plaza de la Vírgen

Above Café at the Plaza de la Vírgen. "Our Lady of the Forsaken is the patron Virgin of València. She is perhaps the most revered saint of the city, and many Valèncians feel very strongly abot her." - ValènciaValència.COM We are supposed to meet a Free València Walking Tour here. Typically, the tours are led by College Students and of course the Student Guides appreciate Tips from the Customers.

Fuente de las Vírgenes

Above Left: Fuente de las Vírgene's OFF.

Above Right: Fuente de las Vírgene's ON.

Above Left: We have met with the Guides but our English speaking guide has called in stating that she will be 15 minutes late (traffic issues).

Above Right: A group of American high school students waiting to take the same tour with us. I was thinking how lucky these kids were, my parents could not afford such a journey when I was that age.

Above Left: Flag of Spain.

Above Right: Flag of the Community (State) of València (also a city). Valèncians speak Catalan (and Spanish) and sometimes they have multi-labeled signs in Spanish and Catalan.

What is not here is just as important. At the moment, Spain is upset with the European Union and note that they are NOT flying the European Union Flag.

Above: These two kids kept a couple hundred people entertained for about 15 minutes each.

Above: Statues on the Plaza de la Vírgen.

Above Left: Plaza de la Virgen (I never learned who the Saint Virgin was, at first I thought Mary mother of Jesus).

This same spot, the Plaza, has been the most popular meeting and walking place in València since the time of the Romans. In fact there are Roman Ruins underneath us and it is possible to take an underground Roman Ruins tour (which I will participate tomorrow).

Above Right: Real [Royal] Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados

Above: Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Above: The Disciples, Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Above: Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados. One of the first Baroque styled churches built in Spain.

Above: Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Above Left: The south-side of the Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados connects to the north-side of La Catedral de València (the Cathedral of València). We're looking and walking eastward.

Above Right: A Door on the south side of the Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Above: Ceramic Tile Virgen de Los Desamparados' Story.

L'Amonoina Centre Arqueologic - Roman Ruins
Cripta Arquològica de la Presó

Above Left: This artificial pool is actually a see through roof covering Roman Ruins that lie beneath. We are at the Plaza Décimo Junio Bruto on the east side of the Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados and underneath this entire area/plaza are Roman Ruins. The Roman Ruins are accessible through the Cripta Arquològica de la Presó de San Vicent building on this same Plaza.

Above Right: This artificial pool is actually a see through roof covering Roman Ruins. I will come back the next day to explore this realm - The Next Day Follow-Up Link is at Roman Ruins, Follow-Up Details of Underground Visit.

Cathedral of València

Above: Doorway on the NE side of Cathedral of València. We are at the back portion of the church, walking to the front.

Above Left: Doorway on the NE side of Cathedral of València.

Above Right: Doorway on the NE side of Cathedral of València. The door knockers were designed for users on horseback (a subtle form of discrimination).

Above Left: The archway crossover connecting the south side of the Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados to the north-side of La Catedral de València (the Cathedral of València). We're looking westward but walking south to the entrance of the Cathedral.

Above Right: Our guide demonstrates the layout of the Cathedral (a classic cross building shape, and due to the lay of space the church is aligned northeast to southwest, the main entrance is southwest).

The church claims to have the Holy Grail. We are on a free walking tour and we will come back and pay (5 €/each) to see the Holy Grail. The Guide clearly states that a church organization in England claims to have the Holy Grail and that another church on the Mediterranean claims to have the Holy Grail. Three claims in all - I do not have an answer.

Above Left: The Tower of the Cathedral of València (not to be confused with the churches central/main dome which is not as high).

Above Right: The SE (main) entrance to the Cathedral of València.

Above Left: Looking at the length of the Cathedral of València.

Above Right: Looking across a Transept in the Cathedral of València. The tower adjoins to our left/west image side.

Plaça de la Reina

Above Left: We're looking and walking south on the Plaça de la Reina. This place was the busiest of all the plazas/places as it has Vendors, Bus and Taxi drops, and the most Restaurants and Tapas Bars.

Above Right: Apartment buildings.

Torre y Iglesia de Santa Catalina

Above Left: Tower de Santa Catalina.

Above Right: The entrance to the Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

Above Left: Ceramic tile of the Tower of València.

Above Right: Ceramic tile of the Tower de Santa Catalina (and our Guide).

Above Left: A tiled historical event.

Above Right: Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

Above Left: Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

Above Right: Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

Above: A detailed photo replica of the Shroud of Turin.

Back in the 1980s a small piece of the Shroud was tested at the US Air Force Academy Science Laboratory for time dating. I vaguely remember that the Shroud test result was dated to the 900-1100 AD (or CE - Common Era) time frame.

Above Left: The facial image of the Shroud of Turin. This image is the main source for the drawings and images of Biblical Jesus.

Above Right: Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

At One Time, The World's Most Narrow Apartment Building

Above At one time, The Worlds Narrowest Apartment Building. The status only changed because an adjacent apartment building's owner bought the smallest apartment building and merged a few of the rooms.

Above Left: The Carrer of Hoops.

Above Right: Mercato Central (aka Central Market).

Mercato Central (aka Central Market)

Above: Mercato Central. Nearly as I can tell, this location used to be a Train Staion, Metro Station, or a Bus Terminal Complex.

Above Left: Dates on a string.

Above Right: The accoutrements for how thin sliced Jamos (Ham) is cut.

Above Left: Beef cuts.

Above Right: Ham cuts.

Above: The Lady in the Wheelchair is the same lady in the picture - This is the Saffron buying center of València and perhaps Spain. In the USA, Saffron is selling at $250/ounce.

Above Left: Saffron Qualities, keep in mind that in the USA it is just ground up into milled pieces. Here, the Crocus Stigmas are sold whole (as is).

Above Right: We are entering the Sea and Fish Market area.

Above: Just outside the Mercato Central, this gentleman sells cookware specializing in Paella Fry Pans.

La Lonja de la Seda - The Silk Exchange

Above: La Lonja de la Seda, 15th Century Gothic Silk Exchange. Usually a structure may not have crown like symbols unless it is directly related to the Crown (the King or Queen).

If I understand correctly, the former Silk Exchange is now used as a school.

Horchata and Farton, a València Epicurean Specialty

Above Left: Horchata and Farton, a València Epicurean Specialty - This delicacy dates back to the Moorish Occupation. The Fartons (pastry like, very spongy in texture) are to be dipped into Horchata (a cold milk with Tigernut flavoring). We will try some later.

Above Right: Another Plaza.

Above Left: Horchata and Farton. We tried it by asking about it at a Tapas Restaurant, surprisingly it was not on the menu. It was good.

Above Right: The menu of the Tapas Restaurant where we tried the Horchata and Farton (La Estrecha).

València Streets

Above: Some alleyway views in València.

Plaça Redona, the Eye of València

Above: The Plaça Redona (which means Round Square).

Above Left: From outside the ring, looking inside.

Above Right: Some inside the ring shops. There seem to be 4-5 clothing, sewing, and lace shops gathered in the center court. There is also a sun shield that blocks the sun's ray and heat.

Above: Seeing the Eye on a City Map.

Above: Seeing the Eye from a Satellite (Google Earth Maps).

In Search of the Holy Grail
(We Returned to the Catedral de València)

Above: The Holy Grail (Catedral de València, Spain).

Above: Two Photos of the Holy Grail in the Catedral de València, Spain.

Above: We had to pay €5/each to enter this wing of the Catedral de València in order to see the Holy Grail. Here are additional works of art in this church wing (Transept).

Above Left: Additional works of art.

Above Right: I believe that this is a Dome on a Transept.

Above Left: I believe that this the Main/Crossing Dome.

Above Right: The major art of the Church (all depicting key religious events).

Later in the Evening, We Attended a Special Spanish Music Concert
At the Palau de la Música de València

Above Left: Art at the Palau de la Música de València.

Above Right: The Orchestra of València readies.

Above: The Orchestra awaits Yaron Traub, Conductor.

Above Left: Magnífica!

Above Right: Bravo, We Applause!