Valencia Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia |
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North-west façade, at dawn.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral, minor basilica |
| Location | |
| Location | Valencia, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | church |
| Architectural style | Valencian Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 22 June 1262 |
The Valencia Cathedral, also known as St Mary's Cathedral, is a large Catholic church in Valencia, Spain. Its full name is the Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia.
The cathedral was officially opened in 1238. This happened after the Reconquista, which was when Christian kingdoms took back control of Spain from Muslim rule. The church was dedicated to Saint Mary. It was built on the site of an older church from the Visigothic period. This older church had been turned into a mosque when the Moors ruled the area.
The main style of the cathedral is Valencian Gothic. However, because it was built over many centuries, you can also see parts that look Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical.
Inside the cathedral, there are many beautiful paintings from the 1400s. Some were made by local artists. Others were painted by artists from Rome. These artists were hired by Pope Alexander VI, who was from Valencia. He helped the Valencia church become a very important religious center.
One of the most special things about the cathedral is a cup called the Holy Chalice. Many people believe this cup is the true Holy Grail. It is kept safe in one of the cathedral's chapels.
Contents
A Look Back: The Cathedral's History
Most of the Valencia Cathedral was built between the 1200s and 1400s. The main style used was Gothic. However, building continued for hundreds of years. This is why the cathedral shows a mix of different art styles. You can see early Romanesque, Valencian Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements.
Archaeologists have dug up parts of the old Visigothic church beneath the cathedral. This church later became a mosque. Records show that the mosque-cathedral was still standing for some decades after Christians took over the city in 1238. But on June 22, 1262, the bishop decided to tear it down. He wanted to build a new cathedral in its place.
Stones for the cathedral came from nearby quarries. Some even came from farther away, like Benidorm and Xàbia. These stones were brought by boat. The cathedral was built quite quickly. This was partly to show Christian control over the area. It was also built by local citizens, not just by a king. This might be why it looks simpler in some ways.
How the Cathedral Was Built
Even though it has many styles, the cathedral is mostly a Gothic building. It has a cross shape, with arms (called transepts) on the north and south sides. The center part has an eight-sided tower called a cimbori. It also has a walkway around the altar (an ambulatory) and a rounded end (a polygonal apse).
Building started in the late 1200s (around 1270–1300). This was happening as the old mosque was being taken down. The first part finished was the ambulatory with its eight small chapels. The Romanesque-style Almoina gate was also completed then.
Between 1300 and 1350, the central crossing area was finished. The west side was built up to the Baroque Apostles' Gate. Three of the four main sections of the church were also built. The central eight-sided dome, or cimbori, was also started.
The old meeting room for the church leaders (now the Holy Grail Chapel) and the Miguelete Tower were first separate from the main church. But in 1459, architects Francesc Baldomar and Pere Compte expanded the church. They added a new section called Arcada Nova. This finally connected the chapel and the Micalet Tower to the rest of the cathedral. This made the cathedral about 94 meters (308 feet) long and 53.65 meters (176 feet) wide.
The Renaissance period (1400s-1500s) didn't change the cathedral's structure much. But it added a lot to its art. For example, there are beautiful paintings at the main altar and sculptures in the Resurrection chapel.
During the Baroque period, a German designer named Konrad Rudolf created the main door in 1703. It's known as the Iron gate because of its cast-iron fence. He couldn't finish it due to a war. Other sculptors, Francisco Vergara and Ignacio Vergara, completed the work. This door has a curved shape that creates a cool visual effect.
In the late 1700s, there was a plan to update the building. The goal was to make the church look more uniform and Neoclassical. This style was popular then, and the original Gothic style was seen as less fancy. Work began in 1774. Many Gothic features were covered up with stucco and other classical-looking decorations.
In 1931, the Spanish government declared the church a historic landmark. But during the Spanish Civil War, parts of it were burned. This caused some decorative elements to be lost. The choir section, which was in the middle, was moved in 1940. The musical organs were badly damaged and never rebuilt.
In 1970, some buildings attached to the cathedral were torn down. This was done to help the cathedral look more like it did before. Also, parts that weren't very important architecturally were removed.
In 1972, work began to remove the Neoclassical additions. The goal was to bring back the original Gothic look. Only a few Neoclassical parts were kept, like most of the chapels around the altar and some sculptures.
Today, after several repairs, the cathedral is in good condition. It was again declared a cultural landmark by the local Valencian government.
Special Relics: The Holy Chalice
A very special item in the cathedral is the Holy Chalice. Many people believe this is the real Holy Grail. It is kept and honored in one of the cathedral's chapels. This chalice has been used by many popes, including Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. The chalice dates back to the 1st century. It was given to the cathedral by King Alfonso V of Aragon in 1436.
Hidden Treasures and Old Finds
Next to the Chapter Room, there is a round chapel. Inside, there are three closets filled with old religious items. You can also see paintings from the main altar that were hidden for many years. They were only discovered in 1874 when the altar was being cleaned.
At the front of Valencia Cathedral, there is an arch called the Barchilla Arch. It connects the cathedral to the Archbishop's Palace. On the right side of this arch, there is an old Roman stone. This stone shows the official measurements used during Roman times. Also, during digs to make the cathedral bigger, workers found remains of old Roman buildings and streets.
Images for kids
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Round view of the Holy Chalice chapel.
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Alabaster window in Valencia Cathedral.
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Dome of the Cathedral of Valencia.
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Bell Tower, Miguelete Tower.
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"Door of the Irons".
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María (Valencia) para niños
