See the supposed Holy Grail, marvel at Renaissance frescoes and admire city views from a bell tower at one of Valencia’s most iconic landmarks.
Valencia Cathedral (Catedral de Valencia) is a breathtaking monument that presides over Plaza de la Reina, in the beating heart of Valencia Old Town. Built in the 1200s, the cathedral stands on a site that was once home to a Roman church and Moorish mosque. Inspect the varying architectural styles of Valencia Cathedral’s grandiose exterior. Then explore its venerated chapels, paintings and reliquary.
Walk around the perimeter of the cathedral to see some of the different design styles. Notable features include the Gothic Puerta de los Apostles and the Romanesque Puerta del Palau. The Puerta de los Hierros is a Baroque doorway decorated with pillars and sculptures of religious subjects. Adjacent to here is the 167-feet (51-meter) tall Miguelete Tower, which has a 207-step spiral staircase that opens out onto a viewpoint offering vistas over the city.
The vast interior has a cruciform layout with a vaulted ceiling and a nave flanked by lofty arches. There are over 20 chapels, each decorated with figurines, icons and canvases by artists such as Francisco Goya. Most noteworthy of all the chapels is the Chapel of the Holy Chalice. It stores a 1st-century chalice that is believed to be the Holy Grail used by Jesus at the Last Supper.
Spend some time studying the restored Renaissance-era frescoes at the main chapel. In the reliquary is a collection of relics that belonged to Aragon monarchs St. John de Ribera and St. Louis Bertrand. The Diocesan Cathedral Museum is a treasure trove of ancient art featuring pieces by Juan de Juanes and Hernando de los Llanos.
The cathedral has a central location on the Old Town square of Plaza de la Reina. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Central Market and Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Valencia’s main square.
Valencia Cathedral is open daily year-round. The admission fee includes an audioguide and entrance to the museum. There is a separate fee to access the tower. Visit the cathedral’s official website to see a schedule of Mass services and evensongs.
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