The original Latin name of the city was Valentia meaning "Strength", "Vigor", the city being named after Emperor Valens, who ordered the foundation of a new colony in Hispania, taken care by later Emperor Theodosius I. During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية Balansiya) in Arabic.
THE HISTORY
The city of Valencia, originally named Valentia, is in the region known in ancient days as Edetania. The Roman historian Florus says that Junius Brutus, the conqueror of Viriathus, transferred there (140 BC) the soldiers who had fought under him. Later it was a Roman military colony. In punishment for its adherence to Sertorius it was destroyed by Pompey, but was later rebuilt, and Pomponius Mela says that it was one of the principal cities of Hispania Tarraconensis province. The city was founded by the Romans in 137 BC on the site of a former Iberian town, by the river Turia.
The center
The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. The Cathedral, built between the 13th and 15th century, is primarily of Gothic style but contains elements of Baroque and Romanesque architecture. Beside the Cathedral is the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin (Basílica De La Virgen De Los Desamparados). The 15th century Serrano and Quart towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city. UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in art deco style.
A modern place
Valencia’s port is one of the biggest on the Mediterranean coast and the first of Spain, handling 20% of Spain’s exports. The main exports are food and drink (the Valencian region is famous for its oranges), furniture, ceramic tiles, fans, textiles and iron products. Valencia’s manufacturing sector focuses on metallurgy, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding and brewing. Unemployment is lower than the Spanish average. Small and medium sized industries are an important part of the local economy.
