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Valencia Cathedral facts for kids

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Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia
Cimbori almoina abril 1.jpg
Northern View
Religion
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Cathedral, minor basilica
Location
Location Valencia, Spain
Architecture
Architectural style Gothic
Groundbreaking 22 June 1262
Completed 9 October 1238
Porta apòstols maigb
Western View (Our Lady Square): Apostles Gate, cimbori and Obra Nova

The Cathedral of Valencia (Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral) is dedicated to Saint Mary. The church was started in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia Pere d'Albalat. It was built on a mosque. The mosque had been built where the former Visigothic cathedral had stood. A Mediterranean version of Gothic architecture is the main style of this cathedral. The cathedral also contains Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance art, Baroque and neoclassical elements.

There are several chalices that are claimed to be the Holy Grail spread over the world. One of them is in a chapel of the Cathedral. Several Christian historians claim that the one in the chapel is most likely the authentic cup used at the Last Supper. It was the official papal chalice for many popes, and has been used by many others, most recently by Pope Benedict XVI, on July 9, 2006. This chalice dates from the 1st century. It was given to the cathedral by king Alfons el Magnànim in 1436.

The cathedral also contains examples of some of the earliest and best Quattrocento paintings of the Iberian Peninsula. These were brought from Rome via artists commissioned by the Valencian Pope Alexander VI. Alexander VI made the request to make Valencia the seat of an archbishop when he was still a cardinal. This was granted by Pope Innocent VIII in 1492.

Images for kids

  • Catedral de Valencia, Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 149

    Chancel of the cathedral.

  • Valenciacatedralplanol

    Building development.

  • Catedral de Valencia, Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 154-156 HDR

    Alabaster window in Valencia Cathedral. Note the asymmetrical, slanted left side of the wall-frame, which lets sun rays reach the chancel.

  • Catedral de Valencia, Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 144

    "Door of the Irons"

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de Valencia para niños

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