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.
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.
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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
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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
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Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, boasts an ancient lineage dating back to 138 BC when it was established as a colony for Roman war veterans. Originally christened "Valentia," which means valor, a tribute to the battle-hardened soldiers, it eventually evolved into Valencia through gradual phonetic changes.
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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