Cathedral of Valencia and the Holy Chalice
Gothic cathedral begun in the 13th century with Renaissance frescoes from 1472 and an agate cup traditionally identified with the Holy Grail.
- Opening hours
- Mon-Sat 10:30–18:30 · Sun 14:00–18:30 · Last admission 17:30 (summer season, until 30 September)
- Languages
- 10 languages
- Where
- Valencia
What you will see
The cathedral was built from the 13th century onwards and is predominantly Gothic: three naves, a transept topped by a dome, an ambulatory and a polygonal apse. Each door is from a different era. The Palau door is Romanesque, from the second half of the 13th century, and is the oldest in the temple. The Hierros door, facing the Plaza de la Reina, is Baroque: it was made by German architect Konrad Rudolf between 1713 and 1728.
In the high altar are the musical angels painted by Paolo da San Leocadio and Francesco Pagano in 1472, commissioned by Cardinal Rodrigo de Borja. They were covered by a Baroque vault from 1674 and were not rediscovered until 2004. In the chapel of San Francisco de Borja there is a work by Goya.
The Holy Chalice is in its own chapel, the former Sala Capitular (Chapter House). It is an agate cup of oriental art from the 1st century BC, with medieval handles and base. It arrived in Valencia in 1437 with Alfonso the Magnanimous from the monastery of San Juan de la Peña, and tradition identifies it with the cup of the Last Supper.
How much it costs
General admission is €12. Reduced admission is €6 for pensioners, people with disabilities, young people aged 8–17, students and the unemployed. If you live in Valencia capital and can prove it, you pay €1. Family admission is €22 and covers two adults and up to three children aged 8–17. Children under 8 enter free. Admission includes a museum and audioguide in 10 languages; the Miguelete tower is charged separately.
Opening hours
From 1 July to 30 September it is open Monday to Saturday 10:30–18:30 and Sunday 14:00–18:30. From 1 October to 30 June, Monday to Friday 10:30–18:30, Saturday 10:30–17:30 and Sunday 14:00–17:30. Last admission is 17:30 on weekdays and 16:30 on winter weekends. Outside visiting hours, the temple is open free of charge 07:30–09:30 and 18:30–20:30, and Sunday 07:30–13:30 and 18:30–20:30. There are days with no cultural visits, such as 1 and 6 January, Good Friday or 25 December: check the website before going on a public holiday.
How to get there
It is in the heart of the old town, between the Plaza de la Reina, where the Hierros door faces, and the Plaza de la Almoina.
Worth a visit if…
…you are interested in seeing Romanesque through to Baroque architecture in one building, or you want to see the Holy Chalice up close.
