The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is an opera house, performing arts center, and urban landmark that became highly symbolic, designed by the Valencian architect, Santiago Calatrava. It opened by Queen Sofía of Spain in 2005, its first opera staging was Beethoven's Fidelio in 2006. Plácido Domingo, the famous tenor has a special relationship with the opera house, he established a young singers training program there.
Floating structure
Calatrava used concrete, wood and ceramic tiles to create this innovative architecture, the shape was inspired by a Spartan helmet. The building contains of 40,000 sqm surface, 75 meters high (with this, it is a the highest opera house in the world), accommodates four venues for opera, music, ballet and theatre. Access to the different areas is provided by panoramic lifts.
It is possible to discover the building with a guided tour, that is around 1 hour long and they held it a few times a day. It worth to book your ticket in advance.
Interesting facts
THE BUILDING
- designed by the Valencian architect, Santiago Calatrava
- became an symbol of Valencia
- surrounded by more than 60,000 sqm of gardens, pathways and 11,000 sqm of water ponds
- white concrete covers the large metal structural supports of the building, leaving the easter end floating in the mid-air, defying gravity
- hosting opera performances, flamenco, ballet and other dance performances, concerts and conferences
TRANSPORT
- By Metro (Alameda) and 15-20 minutes walk through the Turia Gardens
- By Bus number 1, 13, 15, ,19, 25, 35, 40, 95 or 99
- Taxi stand at Plaza Monteolivete
- Parking L'Umbracle
Explore the Silk Museum and two Baroque Churches
Buying a combined ticket is a great opportunity to explore four fantastic attraction of Valencia, the Palau de les Arts with a guided tour, the Silk Museum, the Church & Museum of San Nicolas, that is mentioned as “the Valencian Sistine Chapel” and the Church of San Juan del Mercado. The ticket includes all the four entrance ticket and audio guides to the Silk Museum and the churces, available in English, Spanish, Valencian, French and Italian.
