Valencia - Day Three

I started my penultimate day in this gorgeous city with breakfast at the Mercado Central. I am an aficionado for Spanish markets and joined  the melèe with my pidgin Spanish and frenetic finger pointing at mysterious fare, which I knew would be deliciso in any case. I then headed to nearby La Longja, a splendid 15th century World Heritage building guarded  by fierce gaoyles from above and which was once Valencia's silk and commodity exchange. This colonnaded hall with its unique spiraling Gothic pillars and stunning gilt ceiling is quite breathtaking. From La Longja I made my way to Spain's most magnificent City Gate, the 15th century Torres de Quart, which formed an important role as first defence from enemy attacks. The façade still shows the scars from French cannonballs during the 19th century Napoleonic invasion. On my way to the Museo del Patriarca, I passed by the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, which entrance is guarded by two caryatids in the shape of buxom female figures. Obviously the Marquės was no fool! I then headed to the Museum del Patriarca,  which displayed a wonderful collection of 16th and 17th century ecclesiastical art including works by El Greco. There was also a magnificent Bible from 1540 in print that would have had Billy Caxton cavorting in ecstasy! My last museum of the day was rhe Museo de Bellas Artes, which displayed magnificent works by such masters as El Greco, Goya and the wonderful Velázquez along with such Valencian Impressionist artists as Sorolla and Pinazo. I finished my cultural perambulation with a walk around the verdant Jardines del Real before heading to a nearby cerveza establishment. Tomorrow I take the early bus to Granada. I can only hope the Granadians are ready for my version of the flamenco!