The Jardín del Turia is a public urban park located in the old bed of the Turia river, its length is around 10 km. It was founded in 1986, decades after the great flood (1957).
In the 1960s the City Council planned the construction of motorways that would connect the port with the airport. After a citizen movement that protested against this plan, it turned towards into a place of leisure and nature for citizens.
The garden crosses the city from the port, more specifically from the City of Arts and Sciences to the Bioparc Valencia (replacing the old ZOO).
Builidng the parc they kept all the old bridges, created pedestrian walkways, cicling paths, children playgrounds and football fields in order to encourage outdoor activity.
The city is full of Bike Rentals so it's the best way to explore the Jardín de Turia if you rent a bike and bike it around.
Interesting facts
- The Jardín del Turia is a 9 km long park that was created on the former bed of the Turia River. The river was diverted in the 1950s after a series of floods, and the park was built in its place.
- The Gulliver playground is a giant sculpture of Gulliver from the novel “Gulliver's Travels” by Jonathan Swift. The sculpture is 70 meters long and 9 meters high, and it is made up of different play structures that children can climb on.
- The Gulliver playground is a popular spot for families with children. It is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and it is free to enter.
- The Jardín del Turia is also home to a number of other attractions, including a lake, a rose garden, and a number of sports facilities.
- The park is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, and it is a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and have some fun.
- The Jardín del Turia is one of the largest urban parks in Europe.
- The park is home to over 10,000 trees and shrubs.
- The park is a popular spot for events, such as concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
