Queen Sofia Palace of Arts — Attraction in Valencia

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is an opera house, performing arts centre, and urban landmark designed by Santiago Calatrava to anchor the northwest end of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain. It opened on 8 October 2005; its first opera staging was of Beethoven's Fidelio on 25 October 2006. Tenor and conductor Plácido Domingo has maintained a special relationship with the Palau since its founding and has established a young singers training program there.

Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is the last major structure built of a grand City of Arts and Sciences concept designed by the Valencia-born and internationally known architect Santiago Calatrava, which began in 1995. The building was constructed by a joint venture of Dragados and Necso. It was opened officially on 8 October 2005 by Queen Sofía of Spain.

The building rises 14 stories above ground and includes three stories below ground. Its height is 75 metres (246 ft), being the tallest opera house in the world. Under the metallic, expansive curved-roof structure, 230 m (755 ft) in length, the 40,000 m2 (431,000 sq ft) building contains four auditoriums:

The Sala Principal (Main Hall) seats 1,470 people and functions primarily for opera, but it may be converted for dance and other performing arts. The hall has four tiers of seating, one of the largest stages in the world equipped with all major facilities, and the third largest orchestra pit in the world, being capable of housing 120 musicians. The stage has room to build two complete opera settings which makes it possible to play two different operas in two days.

The Auditorium is located above the Main Hall. It seats 1,420 people and its facilities include sound and video systems capable of projecting displays of events taking place in venues below it. Officially given to the managing trust during the 2007–2008 season, it is a spectacular venue with multiple uses, from multi-genre concerts to political rallies.

Aula Magistral is capable of seating 400 people and is used for chamber music performances and conferences.

Martí i Soler Theatre was constructed below the base of the Palau's plume and seats 400 people. It is used for theatre productions and as a training centre for the main auditoriums. This hall suffered vast damage during the 2007 flooding and its opening was delayed. No equipment had been installed before the flooding, however, so the estimated cost for reconstruction was much lower than it would have been...

Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía) is a modern and iconic cultural building located in Valencia, Spain. It is part of the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), a large-scale architectural complex designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Key Features:

Architecture: The building is renowned for its futuristic design, which resembles a large ship or helmet, blending organic shapes with high-tech materials. The structure is covered with a curved, white concrete shell and features a prominent, elongated roof that extends dramatically over the entrance.

Cultural Importance: Opened in 2005, it serves as Valencia's premier venue for opera, music, and other performing arts. It houses four main performance spaces: The Main Hall (Sala Principal): Primarily used for opera performances, it has a seating capacity of around 1,400. Auditorium (Auditori): Designed for concerts, with a capacity of approximately 1,500 seats. Martí i Soler Theatre: A smaller space for more intimate performances. Aula Magistral: Used for smaller concerts, recitals, and lectures.

Performances and Programs: The palace is home to the Valencian Community Orchestra (Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana). It hosts a variety of performances, including operas, symphonies, recitals, and contemporary music concerts. The venue also offers educational programs and workshops to promote the arts.

Surroundings: The palace is set within the picturesque City of Arts and Sciences complex, which includes other landmarks like the Hemisfèric (an IMAX cinema), the Science Museum, and the Oceanogràfic (Europe’s largest aquarium).

Visitor Experience: Guided tours are available for visitors who want to explore the building’s architecture and learn about its history and function. The surrounding area is beautifully landscaped, offering pleasant walks and views of the nearby Turia River.

The Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts is a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and anyone interested in the performing arts. Its striking design and cultural significance make it one of Valencia's most...

My husband and I wanted to see the ballet "Afanador", we paid 150 euros for tickets, but the organizers refused to let us into the hall after 8 minutes from the start of the performance. There was a parade in the city, we left home two hours early (!), public transport was running very late . But with the words "you do not respect us" we were refused entry to the hall, offering to watch the concert on a small TV in a small room. It turns out that the organizers of "Afanador" also do not respect their viewers, who paid a lot of money for tickets. I did everything in my power to arrive on time, but it is not my fault that the transport was so late. Considering that the actions of the organizers are a form of changing the performance, since I paid for a full-fledged ballet, and not a TV (!), the organizers are legally obliged to return the funds or at least part of them according to the law. But we were told "we will not let you into the hall and nothing will happen to us for this." I have been to the best theaters in the world, on Broadway, and nowhere was there such a vile attitude towards the audience! Everywhere everyone made concessions and if you were late, you could go in and sit in a free seat. The Afanador ballet and the organizers act like swindlers who do not respect their audience and spit on everyone, putting themselves above. I regret that I fell for the advertising and gave them my money. I especially want to note the security guy who laughed and pointedly said that no one would return the money. And when the organizer says "you are the first to make claims", I have a question for those who tolerate such treatment,...