A story of bats and dragons
Valencia’s bat is one of its most famous symbols. A host of legends tells us where it supposedly originates from. But is there any truth to these stories?
Ruzafa, a garden?
The name Ruzafa goes back about 1200 years, to the time of Al-Andalus. Was this recreational palace actually called ‘garden’, or something else entirely?
Edeta: the city predating Valencia
Long before Valencia existed, another city dominated the Turia valley: Edeta. This Iberian city-state would play an important role during the Second Punic War.
The battle of Sucro: epiloguing the destruction of Valencia
One day after the destruction of Valentia Edetanorum a key battle of the Sertorian War took place thirty kilometres south: the battle of Sucro.
The destruction of Valencia
The Romans caused the destruction of Valencia only 63 years after they established the city. Why did this happen, and how do we know about it?
The foundation of Valencia
The Romans founded Valencia in 138 BCE, we all agree on that. But who were the first inhabitants of this new town?