The Cathedral
The Cathedral of Valencia was built on the former major mosque. The works began in the year 1262 and its construction lasted several centuries, therefore many different styles (Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque) can be appreciated. Its Romanesque gateway is the most ancient one of the three entrances to the Cathedral. It is ornamented with archivolts based on settings of the Old Testament, and sculpted little heads that looks from the cornice of which, traditionally, it is said that they represent the seven husbands and seven wives that took to Valencia, from Lérida, seven hundred maidens to marry the first Christian settlers during the age of the king Jaume I. The Apostles gate is from the Gothic period and the twelve apostles are represented there, as well as other images of saints and musician angels. Over it, there is a rose window with tracery ornamentation which main motif is popularly known as the “Salomó de la Seu”. By the Cathedral the belfry is erected, known as the Miquelet as the biggest bell is called “la Miguel”, that weighs ten tons and was melted in 1532.

The Cathedral shows an octagonal shape ground plan and measures 50.85 metres high, and the same distance has its perimeter. The tower can be accessed by an spiral staircase that leads to the balcony where a magnificent view of the city can be appreciated. Some parts of the interior are from the Renaissance period as well as the arch gallery at the top. The altarpiece, devoted to the Virgin Mary, is a true jewel of the Valencian Renaissance style. Surrounding the altar by its right, just behind it, we can find the Chapel of the Resurrection, called like this due to the relief of Bartolomé Ordóñez that presides it. It is one of the first Renaissance architectural works of the Iberian Peninsula, made of alabaster and ornamented with columns, garlands, cherubs and eagles.

The cathedral can be visited from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30.