The largest performing arts centre in Spain, the Palau de les Arts, has opened in the coastal city of Valencia.

Designed by Santiago Calatrava and resembling a warrior’s helmet, the building boasts four performance spaces – the main auditorium, a chamber theatre, cinema and conference room – with additional facilities provided for teaching.

Intended to be an avant-garde facility to foster arts and culture within the city, the Palau is the last of a series of architectural wonders, collectively called the City of Arts and Sciences and constructed over a 14-year period by Calatrava.

The Generalitat Valenciana authority intended the group of buildings to broaden Valencia’s cultural, scientific, technological and nature-based offerings. It also includes Valencia’s L’Hemisfèric, the Science Museum and L’Oceanogràfic properties.

An in-house orchestra will be appointed soon for the Palau and the official opening season will begin in October 2006. Details: www.lesarts.com