The Holy Grail is kept in a glass case in the Chapel of the Cathedral of Valencia. Although you may not be able to see all its details up close, here we explain what makes this piece unique.
Three parts in one piece
The cup is made up of three elements: the upper bowl of agate, the base, and the handles.
The original bowl
The upper part, made of polished agate, is the authentic relic. According to studies by Professor Antonio Beltrán, it was crafted between the 4th century BC and 1st century AD in an Eastern workshop, likely in Egypt, Syria, or Palestine.
The base, handles, and decorations
The base was added around the 12th century and comes from an Egyptian or Caliphate cup from the 10th or 11th century. The pearls and precious stones that adorn it were added later, possibly when the Holy Chalice was venerated at the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
6 curiosities you should know about the Holy Grail
Good Friday of 1744
The chalice survived an accidental fall on Good Friday of 1744, and emerged unscathed from the War of Independence, being moved from Valencia to Alicante, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca. It was also saved from the desecration of the Cathedral during the Civil War, thanks to a family who first hid it in their home on Avellanas Street in Valencia and later in Carlet, until the conflict ended.
It only leaves its chapel twice a year
The Holy Grail only leaves its chapel twice a year to be carried in procession to the High Altar of the Cathedral. The first occasion is on Maundy Thursday, during the “In Coena Domini” Mass; the second is on the last Thursday of October, for the celebration of the Annual Feast of the Holy Grail.
The replica of the Holy Grail
But if you don’t have the chance to see it in person on those two occasions, you can visit the Valencian Community Craft Center to get a close look at the replica of the Holy Grail, created by the expert goldsmiths Piro.
Only seven cities celebrate a Jubilee Year
Only seven places in the world celebrate a perpetual Jubilee Year: Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, Camaleño (Cantabria), Urda (Toledo), Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia), Rome, and Jerusalem.
The album El Grial
What does the Holy Grail sound like? You can find out on the album El Grial by the group specialized in early music, Capella de Ministrers. It is a collection of crusade songs, chants from pilgrimage centers, reflections of medieval literature in music, and the symbolic significance it acquired under Alfonso the Magnanimous. In this album, Capella de Ministrers brings together music and poetry from the Middle Ages inspired by Chrétien de Troyes, Robert de Boron, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Hélinand de Froidmont.
The Holy Grail has a hat
Our chalice also gives its name to a hat. It is the Grial model, available at Sombreros Albero on Xàtiva Street, 21, or in their online store. It is inspired by the Fedora hat worn by Indiana Jones in his last crusade.
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