A stroll around the Marina in Valencia inspired Valencia Life’s resident photographer Paul Knowles’s weekly photo essay. Enjoy…
The Marina de Juan Carlos is now simply the Marina of Valencia. The old rascal upset everyone with elephants, an enamorada and embezzlement, and took off by night to Abu Dhabi in a private plane. This was allegedly to avoid questions about his tax affairs. He reigned in Spain, not so manly on a plane, it seems.
But it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Nowadays, the Marina in Valencia is a vibrant and dynamic space with bars, restaurants such as Vlue Arribar and the iconic Veles e Vents building. The Consorcio de Valencia constructed the area for the 32nd America’s Cup sailing competition in 2007. Veles e Vents was therefore intended to host spectators and guests for the race.
Valencia Marina – Ready For The America’s Cup
Architect David Chipperfield explained that his intention was to create a building that was “exciting, where people could meet to enjoy the America’s Cup, so the idea that the design could create shade was important, so that spectators were as comfortable outside as they were inside”.
On a bank holiday in December, Paul Knowles found crowds of people at the Marina in Valencia taking a paseo, skateboarding and cycling, while soaking up sea air and sun. The idea of uniting the beach and the city in Valencia has indeed been a triumph. However, the icing on the cake will be if Valencia wins the America’s Cup as host city in 2024…
