La Lonja de la Seda

Being more than 2200 years old, Valencia is a melting pot of different artistic and architectonic styles; having seen Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians walk its streets, the city is a great place to visit for history and art lovers. One of the most celebrated artistic styles, typical of the city, is surely the Valencian Gothic. Developed between the 12th and the 15th century under the crown of Aragon, this peculiar form of Gothic differs from the others for its direct link with Roman architecture and the Mediterranean techniques of construction. We present eight stunning examples of Valencian Gothic.
Built in the late 14th century, it is one of the main gates which constituted the ancient city wall, la Muralla Cristiana (The Christian Wall). Situated in the northeastern part of the old city, this Torre de Serranos strikes the attention straight away thanks to the imposing structure of its two polygonal towers. Characterized by the classical gothic decoration on the central area, the Serranos Towers still have an important role nowadays; in fact the towers host, every year, the opening ceremony of Las Fallas, the famous traditional ceremonies taking place in March.
The Almudín, as opposed to its peers, does not strike for its complexity. Architecturally sober, it was built during the 14th century. Its entrance is constituted of three arches, which recall the inside structure divided into three naves. However, its current role makes the Almudín of Valencia worth mentioning. Transformed in 1996 into an exposition hall, it unites its Gothic architecture and wall paintings with the different forms of art exposed. Hosting artists like Yoko Ono, Salvador Dalí and Miguel Navarro, the Almudín creates a perfect artistic mixture of old and new.
The Palace of Benicarlo is a former aristocratic residential building built by the Borgia family in the 15th century. Today, situated in the center of the city, it is the headquarters of the Valencian parliament. Mixing Valencian Gothic and Renaissance style, it presents a simple yet imposing façade, paired with detailed and decorated interiors. It has undergone many restorations over the years, but the arched doorways and the windows on the top floor are still visible examples of the Valencian Gothic influence.
Palacio de las Cortes, Plaça de San Lorenç 4, Valencia, Spain