Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Michel Cruz of Rimontgó

Rising in the distant Montes Universales, the Turia River traverses the province of Valencia before flowing through the region’s capital city and into the Mediterranean. As its main river, and the reason why the original settlement grew into a major port city, the Turia is inextricably linked with Valencia.

For centuries it provided a navigable link between the sea, Valencia’s port and the agricultural areas immediately beyond the town walls, yet after a devastating flood in 1957 it was decided to tame the Turia by rerouting it southwards around the city. The decision to stop the river from flowing through the city centre, as it had done for countless generations, was a difficult one, but within a few months the course was diverted and the flowing water ceased to be the focal point of life in Valencia.

From Decay to Delight

Neglected and forgotten, the old riverbed dried out and eventually became an eyesore littered with garbage and vermin. From the 1980s on, however, efforts were made to clean it up, though no clear plan emerged until later, when it became the focal point of the urban regeneration of Valencia.

Since then the Turia riverbed has been converted into a delightful green oasis in the midst of the city, offering a parkland environment where people can relax, jog or simply enjoy the beauty of the Jardin del Turia gardens. In true Spanish style there are cafés, but also artwork displays, a Zen garden, climbing walls, an athletics track, football fields, racket clubs and playgrounds for children.

Two metro stations, one on either bank, link the area to the city’s public transport network, while traffic moves overhead on the many bridges linking the two parts of town cleft by the former river. A particular attraction is the Parque Gulliver, a children’s attraction that includes a huge model of Gulliver, while the pride of the project is the modern Palau de la Musica Valenciana.

Converted from a decaying and neglected area, the old riverbed has been converted into an oasis of greenery and a recreational space that serves as an example to town planners around the world.