The Amazing Blondin in Valencia

Most people remember him as the tightrope walker who crossed the Niagara Falls in 1859, but Charles Blondin, also performed in Valencia.

Valencia was a different place in April 1863, with the city walls still intact and the first train recently inaugurated, as was the bullring, where Jean François Gravelet-Blondin (1824-1897) did the deed.

His feat was not only on his feet, the performance included headstands, lying down, sitting on a chair eating and drinking, riding a bike and even cooking an omelette, although he chickened out like a scared rabbit when it came to cooking a paella.