Valencia

Valencia

Unfortunately, not everyone knows how exciting it is to look at the maps. Maps always mean the look from a height. Only from the top you can appreciate the magnificence of capes, the elegance of coastlines and the beauty of islands. Opening the map of Europe, we clearly see that one of the most beautiful and romantic areas of Mediterranean world are located in Spain, in the province of Valencia. The piece of coastline between the cliff Ifach and the cape Nao is especially worth seeing!

Pink flamingo, black flamingo…

If you enter the Valencian Community from the side of Mursia, you’ll be impressed by the view of dazzling white salt mounds. Since the Middle Ages, people extracted salt in two huge lagoons, which have recently acquired the new functions – they were declared the reserve of pink flamingos. During the morning hours, you can easily take pictures of these amazing birds on a bright white background. In the afternoon, the position of the sun changes and flamingos will probably be black on the photos.
Near the lagoons, you can find the city of Torrevieja, famous for its international festival of habanero- the Cuban dance (from the word “Habana”). Besides, a lot of our countrymen have already bought the real property in this area.

To makes sure that this land is famous not only for its marine facades, you can turn deep into the land towards Elx, the third largest city of the Valencian Community (200 thousands of residents). Here you can find the largest palm garden of Europe (there is one palm for each resident of the city) and the palace of Altamira with a wonderful archaeological museum. Only when you see the numerous Venuses and Cupids, you begin to understand how “ancient” are the Pyrenees. However, the main archaeological masterpiece of Elx, and perhaps, the whole Spain, is much older than any antique finding. This bust, usually called “The Lady of Elx” (although in Elx you can find only the copy of “The Lady”), while the original is located in Madrid. The woman’s face impresses with its beauty that corresponds to all canons of modernity. The stone lady was found 101 years ago during the excavations not far from here; its age is about 25 ages. Probably, it’s a portrait of the High Priestess. Some scientists think that the bust is fake (as, in their view, the Priestess looks too good, and its arrogant face expression looks a lot like a face of the modern model).
Only once a year (14-15 August) in Elx, St. Mary’s Church, you can visit the religious mystery of Reconquista “Mystery Play of Elx”. Many tourists from all over the world go there only to see this drama.
Elx is a center of Spanish footwear industry. Here you can buy the shoes of big size. I managed to buy a pair of excellent moccasins, called “loafers”(size 48), and in Spain (in contrast to Norway, where it’s not so easy).
Almost all signages, road signs, advertisings and even museum inscriptions are written in two languages- Castilian (common Spanish) and Valencian, so there is no place for the third one (for example, English or French), to the disappointment of foreigners. As if continuing this trend, very little residents of Elx speak English. Students are not the exception. Even the receptionists at the expensive hotels find it difficult to speak English. You’ll be rather understood if you speak French. We advise you to take a Russian-Spanish phrasebook.