Valencia: A Journey Through More Than Two Thousand Years of History

Valencia is a city constantly evolving. Modern, vibrant, and forward-looking, with iconic landmarks such as the City of Arts and Sciences shaping its contemporary identity, it is also a place where every street carries traces of the past. The city we know today is the result of over 2,000 years of history, cultures, and civilizations that have shaped its unique character.

Discovering Valencia is not just about visiting monuments and beautiful squares. It is about understanding how its history continues to live on through architecture, traditions, and everyday life.

The Birth of Valentia: Valencia’s Roman Origins

Valencia’s story begins in 138 BC, when Roman consul Decimus Junius Brutus granted fertile lands near the Mediterranean to Roman veterans as a reward for their years of military service.

The first settlement, known as Valentia, was built close to the Turia River and the Via Augusta, in a strategic location that would define the city’s growth for centuries. Since then, the river has remained central to Valencia’s development: first as a source of life and defense, and today as the city’s great green lung.

However, these early years were not easy. During later Roman conflicts, the city was destroyed and remained almost forgotten for a period of time.

A City Reborn

Valencia experienced a major revival during the Roman Empire. By the 2nd century AD, the city had grown into an important urban and commercial center, with public buildings, markets, and large infrastructures.

Life revolved around the Roman Forum and the city’s main streets, traces of which still shape the historic center today. Visitors can discover this fascinating heritage at the Archaeological Centre of L’Almoina, considered Valencia’s true kilometer zero.

Balansiya: The Muslim Valencia

The arrival of Muslim rule in the 8th century brought a profound transformation. Valencia became known as Balansiya and entered a long period of prosperity and cultural growth.

This era introduced important advances in agriculture, urban planning, and knowledge. Many elements from that time still remain part of Valencia’s identity today, including the historic irrigation system and the famous Water Tribunal.

During these centuries, the city also expanded its walls and strengthened its role as an important Mediterranean center.

The Christian Conquest and the Kingdom of Valencia

On October 9th, 1238, Valencia entered a new era when King James I conquered the city.

A political and cultural transformation followed, and Valencia became the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia. Many of the city’s most iconic locations, including the Cathedral area and Plaza de la Virgen, began taking the shape we recognize today.

Valencia’s Golden Age

The 15th century marked one of Valencia’s most brilliant periods.

Trade and economic prosperity transformed the city into a major Mediterranean power and encouraged remarkable artistic and cultural development.

During this era, Valencia gained international prestige and some of its most iconic buildings were constructed, including the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s finest examples of Gothic civil architecture.

Centuries of Change and Expansion

Valencia’s history continued through periods of conflict, transformation, and urban growth.

The city experienced political changes after the War of Spanish Succession and later reinvented itself during the 19th century with the demolition of its medieval walls and the creation of new districts such as L’Eixample.

This expansion introduced important architectural landmarks, including the beautiful Colón Market.

Modern Valencia

The 20th century brought events that dramatically transformed the city. The Spanish Civil War and the devastating Turia flood of 1957 changed Valencia forever.

What was once a riverbed eventually became one of Europe’s largest urban parks: the Turia Gardens.

Today, Valencia effortlessly combines history and modernity. Roman ruins, medieval walls, Gothic buildings, and contemporary architecture coexist within minutes of each other.

Perhaps that is what makes Valencia so unique: its ability to look toward the future without ever forgetting its past.