Illustrious Women's History, Spanish

Overview

This GuruWalk walk traces the women who shaped Valencia, from the copla singer Concha Piquer to Carmen Alborch, a minister and promoter of culture. The guide's pitch is straightforward: the history of the city was mostly written by men, and the contributions of women in poetry, painting, singing, politics and economic life were often made invisible. This route sets out to correct that, visiting the places where they lived and worked.

The walk begins at Plaça de Santa Úrsula, behind the Torres de Quart in the El Carme neighbourhood, and runs for 2 hours 15 minutes. The route takes in the IVAM, the Valldigna portal and Carrer de la Pau, with the GuruWalk listing showing the first three of five stops. The guide carries a black and white umbrella in a cowhide design so the group can find them.

The tour is in Spanish, and it suits travellers who want a different angle on the city rather than another run through the standard monuments. Reviewers describe it as a way out of the classic itinerary, and one traveller said the walk introduced many women, several of them little known, who had an important impact on Valencian history and culture. Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Plaça de Santa ÚrsulaThe guide waits at Santa Úrsula square, behind the Torres de Quart, carrying a black and white umbrella with a cowhide design. The walk lasts 2 hours 15 minutes in total.
2. IVAMThe IVAM is the first stop shown for the route.
3. Valldigna portalThe walk continues to the Valldigna portal, the second stop shown for the route.
4. Carrer de la PauCarrer de la Pau is the third stop shown on the GuruWalk listing.
5. Two further stopsThe route has five stops in total, and the GuruWalk listing shows only the first three, so the remaining stops are revealed on the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before reserving a spot on this GuruWalk walk.

• Language. The walk runs in Spanish only. Travellers without comfortable Spanish should pick a different walk from the directory.
• Pace and length. Wear shoes you are happy walking in for that length of time.
• Group feel. Reviewers describe an attentive guide with a strong sense of humour and a lot of knowledge. One traveller also mentions receiving a personal recommendation, where to buy good fans, on top of the route itself.
• Perspective. This is a themed walk rather than a general city introduction. One reviewer called it a feminist perspective on Valencia that introduced many little-known women, so expect stories over monument sightseeing.
• Outdoors. Dress for the conditions on the day of the walk.
• Paying the guide. Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. The amount is entirely up to each guest.

Common issues. The GuruWalk listing states a minimum of 5 people is required for the tour to run, so numbers matter for whether the walk goes ahead. The walk is in Spanish only, which rules it out for anyone without the language.

Questions People Ask About This Walk