The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain

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International Museum Day. A ‘city’ within Valencia

Inspired by the City of Science and Industry in Paris, the Valencian autonomous government created the City of Arts and Sciences, enlisting the talents of architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela to give the Spanish city a modern cultural attraction. Built on a sunken park in the drained riverbed of the Turia river, the first portions of the multi-building attraction opened in 1998, with an opera house completing the complex in 2005.Today we’re showing this futuristic-looking centre for education and entertainment to celebrate International Museum Day. The observance began in 1977, with participating museums, galleries and similar institutions offering free or reduced admission, as well as programmes to highlight the work they do. Saturday is a great day for wandering around an old favourite museum or exploring a new one.