Culture at Hemisfèric

Inaugurated in 1998, Hemisfèric was the first building in the Cité des Arts et des Sciences to open its doors to the public. Its designer, Santiago Calatrava, called the Hemisfèric "the eye of knowledge open to the world", and with good reason! In fact, the building was constructed in the shape of an eye, with a semi-spherical hull, and placed on a stretch of water. On each side, lateral sunshades, like two gigantic eyelids, open up to reveal the internal structure of the building.

When night falls, the eye closes. The Imax sphere resembles a large pupil. This impressive 14,000 M2 surface is totally reflected in the surrounding water, creating a complete ovoid image.

The architect chose a human eye to symbolise the gaze and observation of the world that visitors discover through surprising audiovisual projections.

The 300-seat Hemisfèric is the largest 3D projection room in Spain, with a giant 900 m2 concave screen and a state-of-the-art projection system, and shows are dubbed in Spanish, Valencian, English and French.

You'll be able to enjoy different types of projection: 3D digital cinema (which requires special glasses, and gives volume to the films), Imax cinema (which gives sharpness and extraordinary luminosity during projection), and the "fulldome" system**, which allows images of the universe to be projected in digital format onto the entire screen of the Hemisfèric dome. The astronomical simulator allows the universe to be represented in real time for each season of the year, as well as cinematographic content with higher resolutions in high definition.

In addition to the Planetarium, Imax Cinema and Laser Omniscan screenings, Hemisfèric hosts many other events, including exhibitions and scientific conferences.

Among the films shown in 2D or 3D technology, you will find :

"Secret of the Universe": 42 minutes long, this film explores the origin of matter and discoveries in particle physics. You'll explore the most exciting machines ever designed by man, and understand how the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) detected a signal due to gravitational waves for the first time. The result: in-depth knowledge that will give you a better understanding of our origins and the mysteries of energy and dark matter.

"Oceans": for 40 minutes, this 2D fulldome format film takes you on a journey from the icy shores of the Arctic to the warm waters of the tropics, where marine life is revealed to you. You'll learn a host of anecdotes about "surfing" dolphins, an ingenious fish that uses a tool to open its food, or the subterfuges of the octopus to escape its predators...