Dusting off the past Archaeological sites surround FSU’s Valencia study centers, and Juan Salazar shares why his field is so important By Miranda Sullivan
T
he bell chimes clear and loud, adding to the melodic chatter and bustle of the Plaza de la Virgen below. El Miguelete, or as the locals say, Torre del Micalet, has stood watch over Valencia’s Carmen district for centuries. The landmark has become a thread in the fabric of the city itself, pacing people’s day from the opening of shop doors, through the afternoon siesta, and then on to the paseo at night. Marvels such as El Miguelete are planted throughout Valencia’s city center like
flowers. They are beautiful, yet they aren’t considered rare in Europe. For students in Florida State University’s study abroad program, the walls of El Miguelete become one of the first familiar faces of their time spent in Spain. “When I first saw the bell tower, I felt so small compared to it and it was kind of terrifying,” says Stephanie Newman, a senior who studied in Valencia during the Summer 2019 second session. “Then we climbed [the tower], and it made me feel so lucky to have the chance to love this city.” In Valencia, FSU students have the opportunity to take interactive archaeology
Photo by Miranda Sullivan
The view from the top of El Miguelete showcases some of the other ancient buildings in the city.
32 Nomadic Noles // Summer 2019
courses and visit important excavations. Ruins and archaeological sites, some within easy walking distance of the study centers, are a good way to learn about cultural development. To Valencians, they remain an important symbol of the past. Valencia certainly has a rich history. Underneath the city’s streets lie ruins dating from the times of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths, the Moors, and the eventual Christian conquest in 1238. Each of these groups influenced the city in some way, leading to the Valencia we see today. With sites such as Los Torres Serranos (the gates of the medieval city) and L’Almoina (a museum that showcases part of the Roman city under Valencia) within walking distance from students’ front doors, it’s easy to get glimpses of how the city must have looked ages ago. In FSU’s Garnet study center there even is part of an 11th-century wall, which once circled the city during the Islamic period. “It’s nice to be in an ancient city and to have a classroom where we can touch the walls built by the Moors,” says FSU archaeology major Carlos Fernandez, who took related classes at FSU Valencia in the 2019 Summer II session. “It puts things into perspective and really sets the mood for the class.” The Moorish wall and El Miguelete are essential reminders of life in Valencia. They bridge the gap between the city’s interesting past and its flourishing present. “We are very lucky in the sense that Valencia is a 2000-year-old city,” says
