Valencia - Museo Fallero, Museu de Belles Arts, Montfort Gardens and Mercat de Colón

Tip 1: Museo Fallero (Fallas Museum), Plaza Monteolivete 4, Valencia:

Opening hours: MON - SAT: 10.00 - 19.00, SUN: 10.00 - 14.00.
Prices:  €2, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: Free entrance.

In short: Museum of  Las Fallas festival. Displayed are the REAL figurines of Fallas (Valencia Giants' procession figures),  history of the festival, how the Fallas are made, how the Fallas have evolved. Colorful, captivating, FANTASTIC collection of giant figures which took part in former Fallas processions in Valencia Fallas festivals. Presentation: ninots (figurines), photos, text boards (in Spanish), posters, portraits, models, video.

The building: formerly a monasterial complex, later a military prison, the building is currently owned by the Fallas Committee and includes a cute church worth a look. The present Church dates from the 18th century. Built between 1767 and 1771. The Church of Monteolivete is based on an old hermitage where priests of Neapolitan origin gave worship to the icon that is still preserved. It is one of the best preserved.  the Church of Monteolivete is neoclassical style. It consists of a nave with a Latin cross plan, with the façade flanked by two twin square-shaped towers:

Inside it stands the icon of Our Lady of Monteolivete , presiding over the high altar over a small olive tree that serves as a base. In 1826 the monks of the Congregation of St. Vincent de Paul were installed in the hermitage, that had to leave it in 1835 given the laws of confiscation. Finally, 15 of July of 1941 was erected in independent parish, by decree of the archbishop of Valencia, Prudencio Melo. It is one of the best preserved churches in Valencia, although it is highly restored.

If you are not in Valencia for the Fallas festival, here, in the Museo fallero is your chance to get a very good idea of what it is (although Museum of the Fallero Artist is better, but further). This festival, internationally known, is unique to Valencia and so spectacular and strange that your visit will be incomplete without having a taste of it, whatever time of year you come. Every year one ninot (a figurine of a Falla) is saved from fire and placed into this museum. The Fallas are traditionally humorous. It is also an interesting insight into the Valencian psyche, as the figures are saved by the popular vote. You will see representatives from the last 80 years of Las Fallas, as well as atmospheric posters, pictures of the best fallas and portraits of Fallera Mayor. If your Spanish is good, there are also sections on the history of the festival, on how the Fallas are made, and even a model of mascleta (pyrotechnics). A 10 min video will show you all the major aspects of Las Fallas, from assembly and costumes to fireworks and the night of burning.

In the current Museo Fallero (Fallas Museum) there remain principally those ninots indultats that, across the times, have been saved from the flames by the people annual festival vote. Moreover, posters of the most important Fallas of the year are exposed, as well as other elements of interest relating to the Fallas world. The display of almost the totality of the ninots saved along the years will make the visitor see the festival evolution, from the first ninots which had wax head and hands and dressed with real clothes to the last and new ninots, made of papier-mâché and polystirene. The displayd Fallas constitute a live history of Valencia Fallas festivals declared to be of international tourist Interest.

Poster of the festival from year 1933:

Poster from year 1933:

Poster from year 1936:

La Mareta - 1936:

Llaurradors Ballant, 1935:

Museo Fallero - El Vell del Violi - 1942:

Museo Fallero - Cantinflas i Don Manoliti - 1946:

El Dolcainer San Felieu - 1949:

Poster from year 1950:

Lladre de Coloms - 1954:

Familia de Turistes Indes - 1956:

Vespa Tipus Llonganisso a Missa - 1958:

Falla Plaza del Ayuntamento:

El Castic de - Ser - ne Massa - 1961:

Ambmala Fortuna - 1965:

Cabassada de Xiquets, 1969:

Praella de Hippis, 1971:

El Palleter - 1973:

Transeunts de POble - 1974:

Despertar a L'erotisme - 1976:

La Corda Fluixa - 1980:

Museo Fallero - Canvils Senda vella per Novella - 1981:

La Dama de L'engrunsadora - 1982:

Valencia, Mova i Christina - 1987:

Familia Japoneso - 1991:

emple Hindu - 1992:

Amb le Poli en els Talons - 1995:

Espantall - 1996:

L'embogador - 2000:

Es Xopa... i Fins LaIaia - 2001:

Per l'Horta - 2003:

Amor Incondicional - 2005:

Iain Valentin - 2011:

Quina Monada - 2012:

El Clasics mai moven - 2013:

Miguel Cervantes - 2014:

La Cochina d e las Abuela - 2015:

Grucho Marx:

Frederico Fellini:

Boris Karloff - MGM:

Queen of Fallas Festival in Valencia - 1998:

Queen of Fallas Festival in Valencia - 2010:

Tip 2: From Museu de Belles Arts de València, San Pío V to Mercat de Colón.

Main Attractions: Museu de Belles Arts de València, Montfort Gardens, Mercat de Colón. 

Duration: 1/2 day.

Museu de Belles Arts de València opening Hours: TUE - SUN: 10.00 - 20.00. Closed Mondays. FREE.

Public Transportaion: we took bus #95 to Pont de Fusta (Fusta Bridge) (in the background you see Serranos Towers). Other buses: Línes 1, 6, 11, 16, 26, 28, 29, 36, 79. Metro: Alameda and Pont de Fusta Stations. Allow 1.5 - 2 hrs for the museum.

We walk down approx. 200 m. along Carrer de Sant Pius V from west to east from Pont de Fusta to Pont de la Trinitat.

View from Pont de la Trinitat (Trinidad Bridge) to Museu de Belles Arts de València:

The museum building is a former palace. It is a Baroque building recently completely renovated:

DO NOT MISS the  first class restaurant attached to the museum. We paid 12 euros (a fixed price menu) with surprising value portions. Be sure to reserve a table on arrival during the weekends - otherwise you will be disappointed. This is a place where the locals go especially on Sundays:

The Fine Arts Museum in San Pio V street, 9 is one of the most outstanding painting museums in Spain. Renowned for its collections of primitive Valencian painters. There are also works by Van Dyck, Heronimus Bosch, El Greco, Diego Velázquez, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, José de Ribera and Francisco de Goya. The Fine Arts Museum also exhibits sculptures by Mariano Benlliure and some interesting archeological pieces. But most of the pictures are by Valencian artists, such as Vicente López, Juan de Joanes, los Ribalta, Pinazo and Joaquín Sorolla. The medieval collection of Gothic panels also stands out because of its quality. In the museum there is also one of the most important 16th century Renaissance courtyards: the courtyard of the Vich ambassador.

Main Hall 1st floor:

Abdón Castañeda (1580-1624) - Virgin with Angels:

Gaspar Requena (1580-1603) - Approval of the Order of ST Dominic by Pope Honorius III:

Floor II - Francisco de Goya Hall:

Agustin Esteve Marques (1753-1830) - Portrait of a Lady:

Gian Battista Lanhetti (1635-1676) - Blessing of Jacob:

Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) - Portrait of Doña Maria Candado, 1790:

Portrait of Francisco Bayeu, 1786. Francisco de Goya:

Diego Velázquez - Autoportrait:

Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) was a Valencia born Spanish painter. Sorolla painted mainly portraits, landscapes, and monumental works of social and historical themes - most typical works with people and landscape under the bright Spanish sunlight and sunlit water.

Grupa valenciana, 1906 - Joaquin Sorolla:

In addition to this, there is an interesting collection of contemporary art, along with valuable archaeological remains, such as "The Lion of Bocairent" and the tomb of Saint Vincent Mártir:

Do not forget to have a look into a small inner-court (white columns/blue walls) which I understand is remains of the royal palace in Valencia:

It is 600 m. walk to the Montfort Gardens. From the Museu de Belles Arts de València, Carrer de Sant Pius V, 9, we head southeast on Carrer de Sant Pius V for 350 m. We continue onto Pont del Real, 120 m. Turn left onto Carrer de Montfort and after 100 m. the Montfort Gardens (Jardines de Monforte), Carrer de Montfort, 5 are on the left. This small, but very delightful, garden is not far from the Jardins del Reial (Jardines Viveros). Very well kept and VERY PLEASANT garden(s). Lots of statues and beautiful ponds and fountains. A very good place to spend an hour in the scorching hot Valencian summer. The gardens were created in the late 19th century by a wealthy Valencian landowner. A WONDERFUL, QUIET, ROMANTIC OASIS. FREE entrance. Allow 1/2 - 1 hrs.

Exit the Montfort Gardens from its southern entrance/exit at Carrer de Montfort, 5. Head east on Carrer de Montfort toward Carrer del Professor Dr. Severo Ochoa, 120 m. Turn left onto Carrer del Professor Dr. Severo Ochoa, 150 m. Turn right onto Av. de Blasco Ibáñez, 130 m. Turn left onto Carrer del Dr. Gómez Ferrer/Carrer del Dr. Moliner and the Facultats Metro station is on your right.
We took the Metro from Facultats station to Colón station. Exit the Colón station in its east side (facing Carrer Colón). Head east on Plaça dels Pinazos toward Carrer Colón, 80 m. Turn right and cross Carrer Colón
Turn right onto Carrer de Jorge Juan. This is a nice street with handsome, interesting houses and buildings:

Walk along Carrer de Jorge Juan with your face to south-east. After passing Carrer de Martinez Ferrando, on your left, you'll see Mecado de Colón (Mercat de Colón) on your left. IT IS NOT A MARKET. It is more a commercial centre BUT with AMAZING exterior architecture. Most of the stalls and shops are eateries. Good selection of places to eat and drink. Also a small market downstairs selling eclectic or far-eastern/Asian particles. The complex (a former market) was built in 1914 and, recently, restored to its former glory. Allow 1/2 hour:

From Mercado de Colón, Carrer de Jorge Juan, 19, we head southeast on Carrer de Jorge Juan toward Carrer de Cirilo Amorós, 35 m. We turn right onto Carrer de Cirilo Amorós, 210 m. Turn RIGHT onto Carrer d'Hernán Cortés and, again, RIGHT to Carrer Colón to arrive to the Colón Metro station.