Archaelogical Crypt of the Prison of San Vicente

Set within a magnificent archaeological treasure, a legacy of a Visigothic past, visitors can take an audiovisual journey through the history of València, guided by an ancestor who revives the city's origins.

The entire complex is completed by a valuable exhibition of pieces related to the site: Roman mural painting, a Visigothic altar and chancel screen, Islamic materials, and a sculpture of Saint Vincent the Martyr. An archaeological ensemble worthy of admiration.

The Archaeological Crypt of the Prison of Saint Vincent the Martyr is an ancient Visigothic building, dating back to the 6th century, which originally served as a funerary chapel intended to house the remains of a prelate.

The building features a mixed construction of reused ashlar and masonry, highlighting the attention to detail on its exterior, with mortar pointing that emphasizes the ashlars. The nave is covered by a barrel vault, and there are indications that it may have had a second floor. In the lower part of the nave, arcosolia were built, which were likely used for the placement of sarcophagi. In the transept, a tomb containing the remains of an adult male was found, suggesting a secondary burial—that is, a subsequent transfer of the remains from another location.

Furthermore, the excavation has revealed important findings such as the Cardo Maximus, an extension of the Via Augusta within the city, and various Roman remains, including fragments of a mural painting of the god Mercury. The Crypt was also part of an episcopal complex that included the cathedral and other chapels. Over the centuries, the building was transformed, and during the Islamic period, it was used as palatial baths, which left its mark on the structure. The excavation has recovered valuable objects, such as decorated ceramics and bronze jugs, making this site a key point in the archaeological heritage of València.