Valencia Cathedral

Valencia Cathedral ( Catedral de Santa María de Valencia) is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Valencia. It is located in the northeastern part of the historic center of Valencia and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Architectural History

Was located at the site of the church was once a Roman temple and later a mosque. Construction on the currently existing building in the Gothic style began in 1262 and was completed in the 15th century. As an architect Antoni Dalmau and Martí Llobet be mentioned in the documentation under different Pere Balaguer, Francesc Baldomar, Pere Compte. The octagonal dome is attested from the time of Bishop Blanes ( 1356-1369 ); It was rebuilt at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1418 visited the builder of La Catedral in Barcelona Valencia to visit the dome.

The portal Puerta del Palau was built before the year 1270. The portal Puerta de los Apóstoles dates from the 14th century.

As early as the 1470s - years, the influence of the Renaissance under the supervision of Paolo and San Francisco Leocadio Pagano was noticeable. Later, some reconstruction measures in the styles of the Renaissance, Baroque (especially the completed in the years 1703-1741 West facade, which is considered one of the most important works of Spanish baroque ) and classicism made ​​.

The on Valencian as El Micalet (Spanish: El Miguelete ) designated octagonal bell tower was built on the site of an older tower in the 14th century. Its height is 51 meters, which also corresponds to its periphery. It has been divided into four equal parts high, of which the upper - ornate - Part contains the bells.

The cathedral suffered during the Spanish Civil War, some damage, especially in the choir area whose installations were dismantled after the war. During this time also the organ was moved. Since the year 1972, the Gothic buildings of the nave, the transept and the dome is restored and cleaned up stylistically.

Interior decoration

In known as Capilla del Santo Caliz chapter house from the 15th century in the southeast of the building of the Holy Chalice is kept, there is the - is since the year 1506 - with interruptions. It was probably made in the time period from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century BC.