The Spanish Royal Shipyards, the Reales Atarazanas in Valencia is an unusual important historical architectural building. Today it houses the naval and mercantile history of Valencia museum. The construction of the building dates back to the 14th century.

Originally the structure was the site for the construction of ships. You will find it in the small street called Plaza del Tribunal de les Aigues at the junction of Calle de Jose Aguirre, just back from the industrial harbour.

It used to be on the beach front so that the ships could be launched straight into the Mediterranean. The location of the waters edge has changed with modern building work. It is closed on Monday but open Tuesday to Friday: 9:00am to 1:00pm, and 4.00pm to 6.30pm, Saturday: 9.00am to 1.00pm. Admission is free.

Valencia Container Port

Sightseeing at the port? Take a long walk on the long Levante pier, or take the Golondrina boat for a pleasant ride to the lighthouse. This area could be very attractive if the local council developed it into a tourist venue.

There are some striking modern buildings next to magnificent 100 year old port authority buildings. What I was very impressed by was the preserved art nouveau maritime warehouses Sheds 1 to 4.

Before the days of containerisation dock workers would unload and load merchant vessels with goods that were under cover in the huge buildings. The plaster work and tiled designs on the outside walls was very attractive. What the port lacked was cafes, restaurants and bars so you could sit by the waters edge and watch the pleasure boats and container port traffic

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