The expansion that has begun at BIOPARC further strengthens the park's involvement with the city of Valencia. The new facilities, with large areas for wildlife and recreation of historic buildings that will house museum information about them, will take us on an exotic journey along the so-called Coptic Route, the westernmost of the Silk Roads, from Mombasa to Alexandria.

Is the first phase of a comprehensive plan which will return Valencia to its relevance within the Silk Roads, on a cultural and recreational tour that will take visitors from the Chinese origins of the famous Route to the very heart of Valencia and its extraordinary production of magical threads from the East. From there, through the centuries and geographies, the itinerary will continue to discover the long journey of silk manufactured in Valencia to New Spain, the Philippines, and finally, closing the cycle, back to China.

The ongoing project is part of a global action The most ambitious collection that highlights Valencia's extraordinary silk culture on a journey that will take us from the orchards and farmhouses to the city's industrial and manufacturing development and as far as the Far East, following the distribution channels for these products. The history of the Silk Roads and his journey will tell us about history and geography, about nature and people, about trade and the uses of a product, silk, which blended peoples, cultures and religions; a journey around the world in which Valencia had and has a leading role.

The Silk Roads will therefore be the guiding thread of upcoming initiatives.

THE UNKNOWN COPTIC ROAD, THE ESSENCE OF AFRICA ON THE SILK ROAD.

Is the first performance of the ambitious project of “The Silk Roads” and will take us through the Coptic Way through East African ecosystems and animals, from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean, passing through Ethiopia, Nubia and Pharaonic Egypt.

With construction expected to begin in early 2025, this is a highly significant plan for the expansion plot adjacent to the currently active areas, which include African savannah habitats, large wetlands, forests, and the island of Madagascar. This expansion follows Rain Forest's renowned zoo-immersion design, which involves the naturalization of spaces by recreating the original habitats of the different species. The project also reinforces the concept of “leisure with a cause” and BIOPARC's commitment to biodiversity preservation and its participation in international conservation programs for the most endangered species. In this regard, the development focuses on creating new enclosures specially adapted to provide the utmost well-being for emblematic African fauna. Various aviaries will provide a more comprehensive view of the faithful reproduction of these East African ecosystems.

Similarly, it will provide very attractive elements for the enjoyment of the visit recalling the Silk Road's passage through exotic Zanzibar, with an entire restaurant service area with terraces and suggestive views.

Families will also have a tailor-made proposal, increasing the surface area of childish games and the interesting novelty of an entire sector to host farms inspired by Ethiopian culture.

El cultural element will have a highlight focused on the museum field to reveal the ins and outs of the unique Coptic Silk Road, from Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa to the Nubia region and the wonderful aquatic life through a Red Sea aquarium.

THE RETURN VOYAGE OF THE NEW MARITIME SILK ROAD.

Renovation of the King's Farmhouse and the House of Figuerols:

La second performance to commemorate the “Silk Road” is focused on the rehabilitation of farmhouses with the inclusion of the annex buildings. With museum techniques that will combine new technologies with the vision of recovered elements of great historical value, You will be able to learn about the process of obtaining silk threads, their preparation for clothing and the influence they had on the city's specialization in the processing and manufacturing of silk.In these buildings, visitors will discover how the Viceroyalties of Peru and New Spain and the entry of the Philippines into the Spanish Empire opened a commercial opportunity that Valencia seized to become a key city on the new maritime Silk Road, a route that completed the circle around the world thanks to the discovery of the Return Voyage and the essential role of the Manila Galleon. Taking advantage of this new route, inaugurated in the 16th century, Valencia became an essential enclave on the Silk Road and laid the foundations for one of its most brilliant chapters that made it the universal city it is today.

The intervention, already started, aims to restore the complex of the Alquería del Rey and Casa de Figuerols, whose historical-archaeological and architectural studies have measured its important heritage values ​​with more than 500 years of life.

Two great prototypes of rural architectural typology of the orchard united in a single place:

The King's Farmhouse It is a model from the late Gothic-Renaissance period (late 15th-early 16th century) and the Figuerols House It is today a unique piece in the panorama of rural historical architecture in Valencia, due to its original configuration of a group of huts that maintain their old mud adobe walls, which were transformed into houses at the beginning of the 20th century.

The rehabilitation is progressing at a pace that allows for adequate consolidation of the buildings, adapting to the real state of each foundation, wall, slab or roof with a rigorous archaeological monitoring.

THE MOST LEGENDARY TRADE ROUTE, FROM THE FAR EAST TO VALENCIA

Lastly, The third performance set in Imperial China is the culmination of a global proposal This will provide the city with a completely original vision of the Silk Road. A complex combination of leisure and culture that draws on the city's sustainable development strategy and tourism as an essential driver of its future.

A highly attractive facility in Valencia, both for citizens and visitors of all backgrounds seeking recreational references and who will have the opportunity to approach history in the most fascinating way, immersing themselves in a new concept of museum exhibition complemented by a recreational intervention with the river as a recreational axis.

By totally novel, the playful will be complemented with the cultural And during the winter months, a charming stroll through a Chinese garden will allow visitors to enjoy various alternative activities that will broaden their knowledge of the Silk Roads.

Through the tour of these new interventions the public will be able to close the magic circle that connected the most legendary trade route with the capital of the Turia River. You'll be amazed to see the essential role the city played in closing the lesser-known, but equally important, maritime Silk Roads by sea; those that led Valencia to be recognized and valued worldwide. This fabulous program will be complemented during the warmer months with activities that allow you to enjoy the rivers' courses.

The latest technologies will allow apply the highest sustainability standards to offer an attractive and comprehensive offering for audiences of all ages.

Rain Forest Valencia.

Rain Forest Valencia is an SME of entirely Spanish capital, which obtained the concession for the design, construction and management of what was to be the new Valencia Zoo and became an avant-garde BIOPARC. This new approach strengthens our commitment to the city's development and the future of society.