The City of Arts and Sciences (Spanish: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) in Valencia, Spain has long been near the top of my travel "bucket list.” I first became aware of this magnificent complex through the photography of Tom Mackie, a travel and landscape photographer based in the UK. It was his book "Tom Mackie's Landscape Photography Secrets", published in 2005, that introduced me to it.

The City of Arts and Sciences is a cultural and architectural complex and is undoubtedly the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. The complex was designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, with the first stages of construction in July 1996, and was inaugurated on 16 April 1998 with the opening of L'Hemisfèric (IMAX & 3D cinema). The City of Arts and Sciences was constructed near a former riverbed at the cost of about $ 1 billion.

It wasn’t until late 2023 that I finally had the opportunity to see the complex for myself. I had been traveling in the south of France, but I decided to extended that trip to include Valencia and the City of Arts and Sciences.

My journey to Valencia was by train from Montpellier, France, via Barcelona, arriving just about sunset. After arriving in Valencia I checked into the Barceló Valencia. I chose this hotel as it was a short walking distance to the complex as I generally like to begin photographing as close to sunrise as possible.

Early the next morning, I left the hotel, crossing the wide boulevards near the hotel and around the Plaça d'Europa, over the Montolivet Bridge and down a flight of stairs to the L'Hemisfèric.

L'Hemisfèric

After descending the stairs, I was drawn to the welcome sign and the L'Hemisfèric (1998) behind it. Wow!! The reflection of the building, highlighted by the stillness of the water and the early morning light immediately attracted my attention.

The Hemisfèric, also known as the planetarium or the "eye of knowledge", is the centerpiece of the complex. Its design resembles an eye, with a sort of “eyelid” partway up and the highly reflective pool in the foreground further enhances this illusion.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

One of the major structures of the complex, and Opera House and Performing Arts Center that anchors the northwest end of the complex. Its been described as a sculpted helmet or a ship’s prow breaking through waves. The buildings cantilevered roof made it a rich photographic subject. I zeroed in on the roof line with a 120mm lens to isolate its sweeping lines and metallic sheen.

Puente de Monteolivete

The Montolivet Bridge crosses the dry Túria riverbed and the western half of the City of Arts and Sciences. In 1957, a disastrous flood, which much of the city flooded, provided the city with an opportunity to build a green space in its place. The result is a five-mile-long greenway featuring bike paths, event spaces, active recreation fields and fountains. The complex was built next to the park.

From its roadway surface, it looks like any other roadway (with a great view!), but once you descend the stairway to the park the bridge revels itself as a masterpiece of curved arches, with the complex's reflecting pools underneath.

L'Umbracle

The complex includes a sculpture garden, known as L'Umbracle (2001), featuring plant species that are indigenous to Valencia and the surrounding region. Its series of slender, white parabolic arches — light and airy — cast delicate shadows over lush greenery below making this the perfect spot to take a break. Built on top of a parking lot, it was intended to be one of the entrances to the complex.

After Sunset

As a photographer I'm always drawn towards the blue hour; period of twilight when the Sun is below the horizon and the remaining sunlight has a blue shade. The juxtaposition of the sky and the lights of the buildings is somehow relaxing. This particular evening, I was photographing from the Montolivet Bridge, but I was not alone. I could hear people around me, talking and enjoying the end of the day as I was.

I expected the City of Arts and Sciences to be an excellent location for photography and it didn't disappoint. The shapes, along with the materials and the care in which the buildings were laid out truly illustrated a vision of the future. The question now, is not if I'll ever go back, but when. I barely scratched the surface of the subjects that are part of this futuristic complex.