Ateneo

The most important civil society in the city, located in front of the famous City Hall Square.

Valencia’s Ateneo Mercantil was born on March 23, 1879 to “meet the cultural and training needs of trade employees”. Since 1950, it has been declared a “Public Utility” place. With about 4,000 members, it features a library that houses more than 52,000 volumes (including a newspaper library with headers since 1790) and and art gallery with relevant works by local artists.

The organization hosts several events and exhibitions of interest for both the local public and tourists.