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Photo: Erik Albers, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Benimaclet (from Arabic بني مخلد – bani mahlad, or 'sons of Majlad') began as an Arabic farmstead, and was an independent farming community until 1878. Preserved are its central square and parish church, and charming pedestrian alleys. Due to its proximity to the University of Valencia, it is known for its large student population, many immigrant shops, and good bars and restaurants.
Benimaclet city is a former village which is now part of the city of Valencia, Spain. The placename is of Arabic origin dating from Moorish times. It is located in the north east of the city and borders the districts of Orriols in the west, the University of Valencia district in the east the Primat Reig area in the south and the town of Alboraia in the north. Benimaclet is, by extension, the name of the postal district 46020 of the city of Valencia. This postal district unites the district with the more recently urbanised neighbouring areas such as Camí de Vera which includes the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Extensive building has meant that the final parts of the rural area known as l'horta have vanished in Benimaclet since the late 1980s.
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Jardines del Real / Royal Gardens
Established by the Moors in the 13th century as gardens for the royal palace (no longer standing), this pleasant and popular park is the second-largest park in Valencia, after the Turia gardens. The park includes a rose garden, sculpture garden, bicycle track, and aviary. During the summer various festivals are held here.
Palacio Real / Royal Palace
Established by the Moors, then rebuilt by Christians, this building served as the royal Valencian residence until its demolition in 1810. It was forgotten and then rediscovered in 1986. The partially-excavated site is now surrounded by a fence with informative panels in Valencian, Spanish, and English.
Museo de Ciencias Naturales / Museum of Natural Sciences
The museum is divided into several segments, covering Valencian contributions to the sciences, the ecology of the Valencian region, and of course paleontology with the requisite dinosaur skeletons.
Jardín de Monforte / Monforte Garden
This formal Neoclassical garden was designed in the mid-19th century by Valencian architect Don Monleón for the aristocrat Marqués de San Juan. It was declared a 'National Artistic Garden' and is now maintained by the city of Valencia, which opened it to the public in 1973.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia / Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia
This 17th-century former palace houses over 2,000 pieces of art, with a primary focus on art of the 14th to 17th centuries. Highlights include an excellent collection of medieval altarpieces, a collection of engravings by the Italian artist Piranesi, and a handful of minor works by Velázquez, El Greco, and Goya. Photography permitted, no flash.
Puente De La Trinidad / Trinitat Bridge
The oldest bridge in the city, with the current structure dating to the early 16th century. The two 17th-century sculptures of Valencian saints used to be on another nearby medieval bridge, and were relocated to this bridge in the mid-20th century.