The small triangular barraca is a sight which is quickly disappearing from the Valencian landscape. These homes, popularized in Blasco Ibáñez’s novel of the same name, have been popular with Valencia’s fishermen and farmers for centuries, but are now becoming endangered — another victim of modernity.

Barraca in El Palmar

Barracas are rectangular, about 9×5 meters, with a steep triangular roof to fend off rain. Traditionally, they’re made of clay, canes & reeds, and have a small top floor which might be used for the storage of silk worms. Entrances on either side allow air to circulate.

The best place to see barracas is in the communities of the Albufera, particularly El Palmar. There, you’ll even have the chance to go inside one — there’s a museum dedicated to them.

If you can’t be bothered to leave the city, there’s another option… but you’ll have to hurry. The last surviving barraca in the city center can be found in Carmen, but the city council is threatening to remove it in favor of a police station (all in the name of progress and modernity, of course!) The address is Calle San Miguel 22 (location).

The Last Barraca in Valencia City

The superheroes of Marvel Comics have flown into the Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences (location), where they are part of an exhibit that seeks to explain science to kids in an accessible, fun way.

Iceman presides over an exhibition about flamingos ice, Spider-Man introduces kids to the strength of spiderwebs, and Magneto presents “What is a magnet?”, then uses his evil powers to crush your skull.

Hi Kids, Let Me Teach You About Super-Soldier Serum!

It’s an interesting idea, mixing fact with fiction for a museum exhibition, but there’s no telling how confused this is going to make the young’uns. I can envision the conversations now…

“So it’s true that spiderwebs are strong?” Yes.
“But people can’t really produce spiderwebs through their wrists?” That’s correct.
“But if they could, they’d be able to swing on them?” Ahhh… I don’t think so. No.
“But Spider-Man can?” Oh my god, kid, shut up.

Acutally, it sounds pretty cool, and might be a perfect way to escape the heat… especially if you have kids. Visitors get to complete certain missions, such as yelling at a certain decibel like the Banshee to defeat the villain Sentinel. You can climb a wall like Spider-Man, and try to help prevent Bruce Banner from flying into a rage.

More info at the Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences website (in English)
Location on our Valencia Map
Photo Credit: ADN

One note: I read about this story in ADN, who starts their article with an anecdote about how the Flash got his powers. Cool enough, I like the Flash — but he is a DC and not a Marvel character, as any comics geek worth his salt could tell you. I probably shouldn’t admit that I noticed this, let alone that I’m annoyed by it, but there you have it. The Flash won’t be in the exhibit at the Museum.

Variety Magazine recently ran an article about the MUAA Museum of Audio Visual Arts, which is scheduled to open a year from now, in Alzira (location), just 25 miles south of Valencia city.

Alzira

There is precious little on-line about this museum (here’s an article in Spanish), but it sounds as though it will be pretty cool. It will be the only such museum in Europe, and is privately funded. There will be a 3D theater and even viewing booths for blind people, which will emit heat or cold, as well as aromas that compliment the films (note to blind people: don’t go see Alive at this theater, unless you want to experience frostbite with the smell of human flesh).

Entrance will cost €18, which continues Valencia’s unfortunate trend of overpriced museums. Does anyone have more information about the MUAA?

If you’re interested in movies, don’t forget to check out our film recommendation website, Criticker.

Why does the phrase “modern art” evoke a different mental image than “contemporary art”? Shouldn’t the two be synonymous?

Anyway, if you’re interested in the latter, be sure to make your way to the IVAM (location) before July 6th, to see an excellent exhibition by Columbia’s Fernando Botero.

95 of his works are on display, from two collections: “Circus” and the somewhat more political “Abu Ghraib”:

 
Copyright: Fernando Botero

As an American shamed by my country’s current policies, I’m interested and a little nervous to see the full collection.

IVAM - Modern Art Musum - Location on our Valencia Map

Las Fallas — the insane citywide celebration at the end of winter — is such a huge part of Valencian life that it has its own museum. If you’re not going to have the chance to experience Fallas, this museum offers a great way to get a sense of the festival’s scale and insanity.

Source: Fallas.com

The museum takes visitors through the history of the Fallas, from 1934 onward. For each year, you’ll see the prize-winning ninots (satirical figures), the official poster, photographs of the winning Fallas monuments (which are burnt to the ground on March 19th), and painted portraits of the guapísima Falleras. There is a lot of information about how the Fallas characters are made, as well as a large model reconstruction of a mascletà square.

Most of the enjoyment to be had in the museum comes from the ninots. These are frequently hilarious (and dirty), and properly flaunt the outrageousness and fun that festival is all about.

All of the information in the museum is in Castellan and Valencian, but don’t let that put you off — you won’t need to read a lot, because it’s mostly just the figures and pictures.

The Museum’s Official Page
Plaza de Monteolivete, 4
Location on our Valencia Map

Opening Hours:
   Tuesday - Saturday: 10 - 14, and 16:30 - 20:30
   Sundays & Holidays: 10 - 15