Bombas Gens

Bombas Gens is a digital art centre in Valencia, set inside a former hydraulic pump factory in the Marxalenes district. The Art Deco building was designed by architect Cayetano Borso di Carminati and built between 1930 and 1935 for businessman Carlos Gens, whose company manufactured industrial pumps. After decades of disuse, the factory was carefully restored and reopened in July 2017 as Bombas Gens Centre d'Arts Digitals, run by the Fundació Per Amor a l'Art. It's the city's first permanent venue dedicated to immersive and audiovisual art, bridging contemporary creativity with technology.

What is there to see inside?

The complex spans over 6,200 square metres and layers several eras of the site's history in one visit. The original Art Deco facade survives intact, while the former production halls have been converted into exhibition galleries. One of the building's real surprises is a Civil War-era air-raid shelter, accessible on themed tours, alongside a fully restored 15th-century wine cellar hidden beneath the site. A Mediterranean garden offers a quiet break between gallery spaces. Exhibitions typically focus on photography, video art and digital installations, often displayed in deliberate contrast with the factory's raw industrial shell.

How do you get to Bombas Gens?

The centre is located at Av. de Burjassot 54, in the Marxalenes neighbourhood, just north of Valencia's historic centre. The nearest metro stop is Marxalenes, about a 6-minute walk from the entrance. Several bus lines also serve the area, and metro lines 1 and 2 stop nearby. Public transport is a comfortable way to reach the venue without needing a taxi or rental car.

When should you visit, and how does a tour work?

Bombas Gens is mainly visited through guided tours, held daily at 12:00 and 17:00, except on Tuesdays when the centre is closed. Booking ahead is recommended, since each tour has a limited number of spots. A standard heritage visit costs €9, with a reduced ticket at €6, and children under 3 enter free. Special exhibitions run on a separate ticket, usually starting around €9.50. Given the small group sizes and fixed tour times, arriving early in the day leaves more room to also enjoy the garden and explore the surrounding neighbourhood afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

What was Bombas Gens originally used for? It was a hydraulic pump factory owned by businessman Carlos Gens, built in the 1930s in Art Deco style. After standing unused for years, it was converted into a digital arts centre that opened in 2017.

Can you visit without joining a guided tour? The main way to see the site is through daily guided tours at set times, held every day except Tuesday. Guides give access to areas that aren't open on a walk-in basis, such as the shelter and the wine cellar.

What's the most unusual thing to see beyond the art exhibitions? Besides the factory architecture itself, the Civil War air-raid shelter and the 15th-century wine cellar uncovered during restoration stand out — an unexpected mix of historical layers in a single building.

What's the easiest way to reach it by public transport? Take the metro to Marxalenes station, then walk about 6 minutes to the entrance. Numerous bus routes also connect the neighbourhood to central Valencia.