Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts), Valencia
The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía) is an opera house and performing arts center in Valencia. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it opened on October 8, 2005, and hosted its first opera performance, Beethoven's Fidelio, on October 25, 2006. Plácido Domingo, a renowned tenor and conductor, has a special connection to the palace and has established a program there for young singers.
The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is the crowning achievement of the City of Arts and Sciences project by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. Started in 1995, this remarkable structure was completed through a collaboration between Dragados and Necso. It was officially inaugurated by Queen Sofía of Spain on October 8, 2005.
The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is the tallest opera house globally, soaring 14 stories high with three additional stories underground. It has a height of 75 meters (246 feet) and a curved-roof structure spanning 230 meters (755 feet). The building covers 40,000 square meters (431,000 square feet) and includes four auditoriums. The Main Hall seats 1,470 people and hosts opera performances, dance, and other arts. Above the Main Hall, the Auditorium accommodates 1,420 spectators with advanced sound and video systems. The Master Class (Aula Magistral) seats 400 and hosts chamber music concerts and conferences. The Martí i Soler Theatre, seating 400, is located beneath the Palau's base and serves as both a performance space and training center.
The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is the crowning achievement of the City of Arts and Sciences project by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. Started in 1995, this remarkable structure was completed through a collaboration between Dragados and Necso. It was officially inaugurated by Queen Sofía of Spain on October 8, 2005.
The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is the tallest opera house globally, soaring 14 stories high with three additional stories underground. It has a height of 75 meters (246 feet) and a curved-roof structure spanning 230 meters (755 feet). The building covers 40,000 square meters (431,000 square feet) and includes four auditoriums. The Main Hall seats 1,470 people and hosts opera performances, dance, and other arts. Above the Main Hall, the Auditorium accommodates 1,420 spectators with advanced sound and video systems. The Master Class (Aula Magistral) seats 400 and hosts chamber music concerts and conferences. The Martí i Soler Theatre, seating 400, is located beneath the Palau's base and serves as both a performance space and training center.
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Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts) on Map
Sight Name: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Valencia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Valencia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Valencia's Classical Architecture Tour
Gazing upon the multitude of styles on the facades of Valencia – Renaissance, Baroque, Modernist, Beaux-Art, Art Nouveau, and more – makes one realize that this is more than just a Mediterranean coastal destination with beautiful beaches. Colorful and diverse, the “capital of Turia” boasts a wealth of architectural treasures that make it more contrasting and delicate than any other city in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Valencia Introduction Walking Tour
Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, boasts an ancient lineage dating back to 138 BC when it was established as a colony for Roman war veterans. Originally christened "Valentia," which means valor, a tribute to the battle-hardened soldiers, it eventually evolved into Valencia through gradual phonetic changes.
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Contemporary Architecture Walk
With one foot in the past and the other one in the future, it is hard to find a European city more architecturally intriguing than Valencia. Among the multitude of styles, Valencia particularly excels at the cutting-edge contemporary architecture. She owes it to her own born and bred architect, Santiago Calatrava, renowned for his hyper-modern-surreal designs.
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Home to most of Valencia's main tourist attractions, the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is undoubtedly the most charming part of the city, reflecting its history and retaining its star-shaped medieval layout. Formerly a walled town from the Roman period, this area saw its major development commence in the 14th-15th centuries, the most tangible remains of which now are Torres de Serranos (Serranos... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles