Torres de Serranos (Serranos Towers), Valencia (must see)
One of the last standing pieces of Valencia鈥檚 medieval walls, the gateway known today as the Serranos Towers dates back to the 14th century. Its design was inspired by a monastery in Catalonia, blending solid defensive features with an unmistakable decorative flair. The twin towers, crowned with battlements, seem poised for battle, yet the ornate Gothic stonework above the arch suggests something far more ceremonial. And in fact, it wasn鈥檛 just a fortification, but served as a grand entrance for royalty and visiting dignitaries.
Interestingly, the rear of the structure was intentionally left open. The idea was simple: to prevent the towers from being turned against the city鈥檚 own people in case of revolt. From the square behind, you can spot the chambers that once held noble prisoners between the 16th and 19th centuries. Four stone gargoyles jut from the rear wall, watching over the scene with silent, stony faces.
During the Spanish Civil War, the towers were repurposed as a secure vault, protecting priceless artworks from the Prado Museum in Madrid. Despite the turmoil, they emerged relatively unscathed and remain one of Valencia鈥檚 iconic monuments.
You can climb the winding staircases up to the terraces, where wide views stretch across the old town, the Turia Garden, and beyond. Occasionally, there are exhibitions or small historical displays inside, but the real pleasure is simply moving through the spaces, taking in the craftsmanship and the cityscape beyond the walls.
Well preserved and open to the public, the Serranos Towers have a quiet, welcoming presence, like an old guardian who still takes pride in watching over the city.
Interestingly, the rear of the structure was intentionally left open. The idea was simple: to prevent the towers from being turned against the city鈥檚 own people in case of revolt. From the square behind, you can spot the chambers that once held noble prisoners between the 16th and 19th centuries. Four stone gargoyles jut from the rear wall, watching over the scene with silent, stony faces.
During the Spanish Civil War, the towers were repurposed as a secure vault, protecting priceless artworks from the Prado Museum in Madrid. Despite the turmoil, they emerged relatively unscathed and remain one of Valencia鈥檚 iconic monuments.
You can climb the winding staircases up to the terraces, where wide views stretch across the old town, the Turia Garden, and beyond. Occasionally, there are exhibitions or small historical displays inside, but the real pleasure is simply moving through the spaces, taking in the craftsmanship and the cityscape beyond the walls.
Well preserved and open to the public, the Serranos Towers have a quiet, welcoming presence, like an old guardian who still takes pride in watching over the city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valencia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Torres de Serranos (Serranos Towers) on Map
Sight Name: Torres de Serranos (Serranos Towers)
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.
Contemporary Architecture Walk
With one foot in the past and the other one in the future, it is hard to find a European city more architecturally intriguing than Valencia. Among the multitude of styles, Valencia particularly excels at the cutting-edge contemporary architecture. She owes it to her own born and bred architect, Santiago Calatrava, renowned for his hyper-modern-surreal designs.
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'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
Old Town Walking Tour
Valencia鈥檚 Old Town stands apart from many in Europe for how effortlessly its many layers of history coexist. Beneath modern squares, ancient Roman streets and forum remains lie quietly preserved. The maze-like layout鈥攕haped during the city鈥檚 Islamic period鈥攚as never swept away after the Christian Reconquest. Instead, it survived and evolved, now lined with Gothic churches and Baroque... view more
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 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