Puente de las Artes (Pont de les Arts) is a pedestrian and traffic bridge designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. It’s a striking example of modern architecture and stands in contrast to some of the 15th- and 16th-century bridges that cross Valencia’s dried up riverbed. Puente de las Artes is a busy link between the districts of El Carmen and Les Tendetes. Use it as a base for exploring the attractions of Turia Gardens.
The bridge features two split roadways with separate lanes for vehicles and pedestrians. Four large concrete structures support the roadways and each has a tall street lamp that illuminates the bridge at night. From the pathways you can watch the action of the gardens, where people come to exercise and walk dogs. Go down to the park level to fully appreciate the design and size of the bridge.
Take a walk in the Turia Gardens. The park stretches for 5.6-miles (9-kilometers) and is home to children’s activities, cultural centers and museums. Directly to the east you’ll pass sports fields, Puente de San Jose arch bridge and the Virgen del Carmen Monument. Walking and cycling paths weave around tree-shaded lawns and playgrounds to the west of the bridge.
Public buses stop nearby and you can take the metro to Estació de Túria station, from where it is a 10-minute walk to the bridge. Major attractions such as Torres de Quart and Torres de Serranos, which were once part of the city’s defensive walls, are within comfortable walking distance.
A must-see attraction at the southern entrance to Puente de las Artes is the Institut Valencia d’Art Modern. Browse exhibitions of contemporary art, including works by Julio Gonzalez and Ignacio Pinazo. Close to here is the Prehistory Museum of Valencia. Learn about the history of the Valencia province and Iberian customs via artifacts from the Stone Age, Roman and Visigoth periods.
