L'Hemisf猫ric Building, Valencia
L'Hemisf猫ric, situated at the heart of the City of Arts and Sciences, is a multifunctional venue encompassing an IMAX Cinema, Planetarium, and Laserium. Its distinctive architectural design emulates that of a colossal eye, covering an expansive area of approximately 13,000 square meters.
This renowned structure, also referred to as the planetarium or the "eye of knowledge," designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, was completed in 1998. Its captivating composition resembles an eyelid, which gracefully unfurls to grant access to the surrounding water pool. The pool's bottom is crafted from glass, ingeniously creating the illusion of an integrated ocular entity. Within the concrete framework, the planetarium takes the form of a semi-spherical dome, measuring 110 meters in length and 55.5 meters in width. The shutter comprises elongated aluminum awnings that collectively ascend, forming a brise soleil roof. This unique roof smoothly opens along the curved axis of the eye, unveiling the dome, metaphorically known as the "iris," which houses the planetarium or Ominax theater. A set of stairs bisects the structure, leading down into the vaulted concrete lobby.
Translucent glass panels adorn the underground areas, allowing gentle illumination to permeate the pathways. The transparent roof, supported by concrete arches, interconnects with the sunken gallery. Notably, an extraordinary echo reverberates throughout the building, allowing individuals positioned at the opposing pillars within the eye to engage in conversation with each other.
This renowned structure, also referred to as the planetarium or the "eye of knowledge," designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, was completed in 1998. Its captivating composition resembles an eyelid, which gracefully unfurls to grant access to the surrounding water pool. The pool's bottom is crafted from glass, ingeniously creating the illusion of an integrated ocular entity. Within the concrete framework, the planetarium takes the form of a semi-spherical dome, measuring 110 meters in length and 55.5 meters in width. The shutter comprises elongated aluminum awnings that collectively ascend, forming a brise soleil roof. This unique roof smoothly opens along the curved axis of the eye, unveiling the dome, metaphorically known as the "iris," which houses the planetarium or Ominax theater. A set of stairs bisects the structure, leading down into the vaulted concrete lobby.
Translucent glass panels adorn the underground areas, allowing gentle illumination to permeate the pathways. The transparent roof, supported by concrete arches, interconnects with the sunken gallery. Notably, an extraordinary echo reverberates throughout the building, allowing individuals positioned at the opposing pillars within the eye to engage in conversation with each other.
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L'Hemisf猫ric Building on Map
Sight Name: L'Hemisf猫ric Building
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Valencia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Valencia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Valencia's Classical Architecture Tour
In Valencia, the architecture tells you right away鈥攖his city has layers. It's not just a coastal getaway with sunshine and beaches. Beneath the bright skies, 鈥淪pain鈥檚 Third Capital鈥� reveals a blend of styles both rich and unexpected鈥攁t once bold in contrast and delicate in detail. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Old Town, where nearly every corner seems to offer a visual... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Contemporary Architecture Walk
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In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Valencia Introduction Walking Tour
Valencia, Spain鈥檚 third-largest city, carries a rich history that stretches back to 138 BC, when it was founded as a Roman colony for battle-tested veterans. Known then as 鈥淰alentia鈥�, meaning 鈥渧alor,鈥� it honored the courage of its first inhabitants. The city was destroyed in 75 BC by Pompey the Great but was rebuilt within a century, eventually becoming home to Visigoths and later the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles