Where once a river ran through it, now 9 kms of park snake through the heart of the city. In fact I am no stranger to the Turia, as I have fond memories of playing football and hanging out in these gorgeous gardens during the summer I spent in Valencia in β but I only saw a small portion of them back then.
This diverse urban space has been slowly developed over the last 30 or so years along the dry bed of the river Turiaβ¦. As I pootle along, stopping every now and again to take photographs or to peel off another layer of clothes on this warm winter day, I enjoy my submerged perspective of the city, ducking under both medieval and modern bridges including the Calatrava-designed Alameda Bridge and Metro Station , and espying centuries-old church bells and spires glinting in the sunshine on either side of me.
I stop for a while at each to breath in the atmosphere of dreams, camaraderie and glory that exude from the turf. Amongst the many leisure pursuits on display, I pass people playing volleyball, basketball and boules, practicing yoga, slacklining and strength-training, having an amateur photo session, or simply enjoying a picnic and a lie down; plus there are an abundance of designated play areas for children fitted out with climbing frames, slides, swings and skateboard ramps.
The gardens are also wide enough to accommodate serious sports facilities, and along my way I also pass full-sized football pitches, a beautiful athletics track and even a baseball field.
A well timed appearance! Sadly for my inner child the show is soon over though, so I press on. Cycling in Turia gardens today. It's T shirt weather in Valencia! These gardens stretch 9km along the old city river bed forming an incredibly diverse green leisure belt. The going is quicker this time, although not without some surprises.
