Tag Archives: Vision of the Seas

Looking at how the Silk Exchange is surrounded by churches, one supposes that the merchants of Valencia feared for their souls. In a moment I’m going to show you another of those churches, but first we’re going to study the incredible details of the Silk Exchange. Above is the Hall of Columns, and those columns are meant to invoke palm trees. Impressive, for sure. But equally impressive are the bas-reliefs decorating the interior walls:

Of interest with these examples are the grotesques are seemingly all playing musical instruments.

Go into the open-air courtyard of the Silk Exchange, find the staircase, and head on up to this consulate rooms for a ceiling nearly as incredible as what you’ll see in the Hall of Columns:

Heading once again outside, you’ll find lots to photograph in the buildings details. Here is a collection of Silk Exchange gargoyles:

I mentioned earlier that this exchange is seemingly surrounded by churches. This one is on the west side of the exchange, and it is the Church of Saint John of the Market (Església de Sant Joan del Mercat):

Here are a few more photographs of this stunning façade’s intricate details:

See you in two days for another Fun Photo Friday selection of favorites from this destination.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Today I’m going to take you on a walking tour that started from the Valencia Cathedral. From there we meandered up and down narrow, colorful streets adorned with flowers and flags. For instance, here is Miguelete Belltower (Valencian: Torre del Micale/Castillain Spanish: El Miguelete) at Valencia Cathedral:

If you look south you’ll see another nifty belltower in the distance. This is the tower at the Church of Saint Martin (Església de Sant Martí):

Before we leave Valencia Cathedral for today, I’m going to show three more photos highlighting the intricate details adorning the façade, then take you on foot west to the Silk Exchange:

Now we’re headed west on foot. Below you are looking at the Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda), a merchant exchange completed in 1533.

I’ll have photos of the interior on Wednesday. For today let’s just enjoy the exterior a bit more:

If you enjoy macabre gargoyles, this is your place:

And conveniently located just across the plaza (Plaça de la Companyia) from the Silk Exchange, to the north, is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús):

There’s even an angel overlooking the plaza admonishing you to be quiet lest services are being conducted:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)