Valencia , capital of the Community of Valencia and third largest city in Spain , is located on the fertile plain of the river Turia. Around the central old district, new districts with wide avenues have been developed which provide an exciting commercial and industrial ambience.

The city was originally one of the Greeks' Mediterranean settlements, and later the Romans and Visigoths settled here. Conquered by the Arabs, Valencia reached great political and cultural importance in the VIII century as the capital of a kingdom whose lands extended from the rivers Ebro to the Segura , where Arab irrigation systems have lead to the agricultural wealth of the area. In 1096 it was conquered by el Cid, re-conquered by the Almoravids after the death of Cid and finally became part of the crown of Aragon in 1238, after the conquest of Jaime I. The Muslim inhabitants of the regions maintained their laws and religion in the kingdom of Valencia , until they were expelled in 1609, and a century and a half later than in the kingdom of Castile . The expulsion of the Mor isc os brought economic destruction to Valencia , coinciding with the decline of its port. During the War of Succession, the city fought along with the House of Austria, and when King Borbón Felipe V won, the city lost all its privileges. During the civil was it was the headquarters of the Spanish government for a long time. Today, Valencia is the main economic and cultural centre of the Levante coast.

March sees the celebration of one of Spain 's most spectacular fiestas in Valencia : the Fallas . Around the 15 th of Match, ninots , large figures in papier-mâché, can be seen on the city's streets. These are usually satirical and take many months to construct. The fallas are burnt on the night of March 19 th , the festivity of Saint Joseph . Large castles of fireworks can be seen during the fiestas, firecrackers are thrown all around the city and entertainment is guaranteed.