Valencia history: 1869 massacre and 1957 flood

Valencia's history has been shaped by significant periods of violence and natural disaster. In October 1869, Captain General Rafael Primo de Rivera bombarded the city to suppress a federal republican revolt. This event, which left a lasting impact on Valencian society and influenced local artists, occurred during a period of political instability following the end of Queen Isabel II's reign.

Decades later, on October 14, 1957, the city faced a catastrophic natural disaster known as the 'Gran Riada'. The Turia River overflowed twice, causing massive destruction to neighborhoods, homes, and infrastructure. The official death toll was recorded at 81 victims. This flood led to a permanent change in the city's geography through the implementation of the 'Plan Sur', which diverted the river's course to the south and transformed the old riverbed into the Turia Garden.