While learning Spanish at Taronja, there is enough time left for other things than sitting in one of the (colorful and arty) classrooms. There is a possibility to go to the beach or the park, but because Taronja is situated in a perfect spot, there are also many things to do or see, just around the corner. So you can go directly after your Spanish class in the morning. We’ve written a few things down for you which are not even 100 meters away from Taronja school
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento
One street behind Taronja school you’ll walk into the most famous square of Valencia: Plaza del Ayuntamiento. A literal translation for ‘City hall square’, and guess what, in one of the imposing white buildings the city hall is established. Be mentally prepared and don’t expect one of the many cute little squares which you’ll find a lot in the city Valencia. It’s a huge pedestrian square, with a big fountain in the middle. Another characteristic of Plaza del Ayuntamiento is all the tiny flower shops in the centre of the square
2. Palacio de Correos y Telégrafos.
You will find this beautiful old post office, built in 1914, on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. It belongs to the cultural heritage of Valencia. You can enter the building for free and inside you will find a ceiling made of glass, it’s beautiful! Fun fact: at the front, underneath the clock, you see five persons that stand for each a different continent. The middle one is Europe
3. Banco de Valencia.
This beautiful pink colored building is a 2 minute walk from Taronja school, and can be found in a side street of Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Until the beginning of 2017 the building was labeled with big white ‘Banco de Valencia’ letters, but after the merger with Caixabank the letters were removed. It’s not possible to visit the building publically, so only for customers of the bank or to get money out of an ATM inside. But the outside of the Banco de Valencia has enough to offer, so just pass by and watch the fairytale building. While doing this, mainly focus your attention on the details on the top of the building because Banco de Valencia gets more detailed by every meter up
4. Plaza de Toros
Also known as ‘The bullfighting arena’. Specially built between 1850 and 1860 for bullfights only. Even though the arena is still being used for these kinds of purposes, there are also other events going on behind the round walls with the many bows, for example festivals or concerts. When you’re passing the building you’ll maybe think for a moment you’re in Rome next to the Colosseum. Not weird at all, the building is totally inspired by this civil Roman architecture.
5. Estación del Norte
Next to the Plaza de Toros and one street behind Taronja school, you’ll find the main train station of Valencia: Estación del Norte. Weird though, because the station is situated in the south of Valencia, and not the Nord like the name suggests. The reason behind it’s name is the company who rebuilt the station in 1917, called ‘Caminos de Hierro del Norte de España (Railways of the North of Spain)’. The train station is totally worth the visit, also when you are not planning on traveling by train. The outside of the station is full of details and shows flowers, oranges and orange blossoms, inspired by Valencian agriculture. And on top of the building an eagle perched which symbolizes speed. Inside you’ll feel the history caused by a lot of mosaic, marmer and glass but mostly by the original wooden ticket windows which are still in use. Next to the historical details, trains and railways, you’ll find some shops, restaurants and even a hostel inside the Estación del Norte.
Do you also want to learn Spanish around the corner from all these sights, right in the historic center of Valencia? Then register with Taronja school and learn Spanish in no time, in a playful way.
