Plaza de la Virgen

The historic heart of Valencia and the prettiest square in the city. Three buildings hem it in: the Gothic apse of the cathedral, the orange-domed Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, and the Generalitat palace on the west side. The fountain in the middle is the standard meeting point and a good place to watch the world go by with an horchata or a beer.

Time your visit for Thursday at noon to see the Tribunal de las Aguas — the medieval water court still convenes outside the Apostles' Door of the cathedral to settle disputes between local irrigators. It is a UNESCO Intangible Heritage practice and the oldest justice institution in Europe still in operation.

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A story
The central fountain depicts the Turia river god surrounded by eight reclining figures with water pouring from their jars — they represent the eight irrigation channels (acequias) that have watered the Valencian Horta since Roman and Moorish times. Disputes over these channels are still settled every Thursday at noon by the Tribunal de las Aguas, sitting under the Apostles' Door of the cathedral facing the square.

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