LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Valencia
built 280 days ago
Valencia was in the power of the Moors for more than five centuries. The Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar) reconquered it for the first time on 15 June, 1094, turned nine mosques into churches, and installed as bishop the French monk Jérôme. On the death of the Cid (July, 1099), his wife, Doña Ximena, retained power for two years, when Valencia was beseiged by the Almoravids; although the Emperor Alfonso drove them from the city, he was not strong enough to hold it. The Christians set fire to it, abandoned it, and the Almoravid Masdali took possession of it on 5 May, 1109. Jaime the Conqueror, with an army composed of French, English, Germans, and Italians, laid siege to Valencia in 1238, and on 28 September of that year forced a surrender. 50,000 Moors left the city and on 9 October the king, followed by his retinue and army, took possession. The principal mosque was purified, Mass was celebrated, and the "Te Deum" sung.
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If you're in Spain around March 12th and need some good reasons to travel to Valencia, Las Fallas is about the best one. Between the 12th and 19th of March, the people of Valencia block traffic with towering sculptured statues that artisans have spent the past year making. All day and night, crowds of locals and foreigners fill the streets and the sounds of exploding firecrackers and fireworks fill the air. If firecrackers scare you, it's always wise to be careful, but within a few hours of the explosions, you'll probably find that you're lighting some yourself. At the end of the week, the huge statues are awarded prizes and then all are set on fire, which marks the end of Las Fallas and the beginning of spring.
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Valencia has a balanced mix of single family, townhome and condos to large estate homes. The architecture varies from traditional styles to modern and contemporary. Many new homes have been built in Valencia over the last few years among them the neighborhoods at Tesoro del Valle at the northern edge of Valencia.
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Located across from the Conference Center, two kilometers from the fairgrounds of Valencia and less than five kilometers from Manises airport, the hotel has a great location. It is only one kilometer from the historic center and the main tourist and cultural attractions. Also, the hotel is just 50 meters from the subway stations, metropolitan bus stops, connecting you to all the main parts of the city.
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The consecration of the Dominican Berenguer de Castellbisbal, bishop-elect of the See of Valencia after the reconquest, was prevented because of the dispute between the Archbishops of Toledo and Tarragona for jurisdiction over the new see. Gregory IX decided in favour of Tarragona, and, as Berenguer had been appointed Bishop of Gerona in the meantime, Ferrer de San Martín, provost of Tarragona (1239-43), was appointed Bishop of Valencia. He was succeeded by the Aragónese Arnau de Peralta (1243-48) who drove the Bishop of Segovia, Pedro Garcés, from his see. The third Bishop of Valencia, the Dominican Andrés Albalat (1248-76), founder of the Carthusian monastery, began the construction of the cathedral; this was continued and finished by his successors: Gasperto de Botonach, Abbot of San Felin (1276-88); the Aragónese Dominican, Raimundo de Pont (1288-1312); the Catalonian raimundo Gastón (1312-48); Hugo de Fenolet, formerly Bishop of Vich (1348-56); and Vidal de Blanes (1356-69. Jaime de Aragón, Bishop of Tortosa and first cousin of Pedro IV, succeeded to the see in 1369. Hitherto the chapter had elected the bishops, but owing to the dissensions at the death of Bishop Blanes, Urban IV reserved the right to name the bishops until 1523, when the right of presentation was granted to the Spanish kings.
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Valencia dropped into the bottom half of the table following a dismal run of results in December and January but has now won two games in a row and sits just a point adrift of sixth-placed Racing Santander. Ronald Koeman's side faces Getafe on Sunday and Hedwiges Maduro believes the team can yet qualify for the Champions League, their minimum objective at the start of the season. "We feel good, we're playing better and there is no reason why we can't reach the Champions League," he said. Ruben Baraja, Fernando Morientes and Alexis look set to miss out again through injury while Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo were all separated from the squad by Koeman before Christmas and are unlikely to play for the club again. Javier Arizmendi is suspended and Nikola Zigic is doubtful.
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