Valencia Cathedral. Home of the Holy Chalice
Valencia Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks thanks to its emblematic bell tower: El Miguelete. Visiting it is like taking a journey through 2,000 years of history.
It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the remains of a Roman temple that later became the mosque of Arab Balansiya. The cathedral features a rich blend of architectural styles: from Romanesque elements at the Almoina Gate to the predominant Gothic style, with some Baroque touches.
What truly makes it special, however, are the treasures it houses, ranging from paintings from the early Spanish Renaissance to the Holy Chalice itself. Legend has it that Saint Peter kept it in Rome, Pope Saint Sixtus II took it to Huesca, and Alfonso the Magnanimous brought it to Valencia after the Reconquest. Since the 15th century, it has been kept in the chapel that was named after it inside the Cathedral. Are you going to miss it?
Why visit Valencia Cathedral
- It houses the chalice believed to have been used by Jesus at the Last Supper, according to various documents, archaeological studies and the Vatican
- From the top of the El Miguelete, you can enjoy excellent panoramic views of Valencia
- For pregnant women, a Valencian tradition is to walk around the Cathedral nine times while praying to the Virgin of the Good Delivery
- The Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Court), a thousand-year-old institution declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, meets every Thursday at the Apostles’ Gate
What to see in Valencia Cathedral
To visit Valencia Cathedral, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket offices located at the entrance to the building. The tour is carried out using individual audio guides, allowing you to discover its history and artistic heritage in great detail.
Chapel of the Holy Chalice.
Whether you are a believer or not, you shouldn’t miss the chance to see the Holy Chalice at Valencia Cathedral. It is a beautiful cup carved from oriental agate with a fascinating history.
Cathedral Museum.
It houses paintings by Maella and Goya, as well as relics from the former Crown of Aragon, among many other treasures. Admission is included in the cultural tour.
El Miguelete
The effort of climbing the tower’s 207 steps is more than rewarded by the views of the city from its viewpoint. A separate ticket is required
Free entry to the Cathedral with the Valencia Tourist Card
With the 7-day Valencia Tourist Card, your ticket to the Cathedral, including a visit to the Holy Chalice and the Cathedral Museum, is included. And that’s not all… in addition to free access to the IVAM and 14 museums and monuments such as the Silk Exchange, the Serranos and Quart Towers, the Fallas Museum or La Almoina, among other treasures, you also get up to 50% discount on more than 130 tourist services, leisure activities, shops and restaurants, including major must-sees like the Oceanogràfic, the City of Arts and Sciences, the Bioparc and the Tourist Bus, so you can make the most of your visit.
