the chapel of the Holy Chalice is hardly decorated and also pretty dark.
inside the chapel of St Peter the Apostle
the main entrance is called the Iron Gate because of the iron fence
this is supposedly the right arm of Saint Vincent the martyr
outdoor diners have a nice view of the Micalet bell tower
over time some of the apostles have lost their head
colorful figures terminate the lower ends of the arches in the chapel
the main item of the chapel, the Holy Chalice is safely stored behind glass
the chancel with the blue dome ceiling
Later the
Visigoths build their St Vincent cathedral here, which under Moorish rule was
turned into a mosque.
After the Christian Reconquest in 1238 the mosque was consecrated as cathedral, only
to be knocked down in 1262 to make place for a brand new cathedral in Gothic style.
In the following centuries modifications
and reconstructions considerably changed the inside and outside of the building.
During the Spanish Civil War the interior of
the church was badly burned.
Since the 1970's efforts are under way to restore the original Gothic appearance.
The
Valencia Cathedral is famous for its
relics like the supposed right arm of Saint Vincent and the
Holy Chalice, the drinking vessel
Jesus is said to have used at the Last Supper.
Valencia's cathedral may not be Spain's most impressive
church, but it surely is worth a visit, if only to see that arm.
a view from the Plaza de la Virgen with the Micalet bell tower in the background
the elaborate entrance at the Plaza de la Virgen is called the door of the Apostles
the central nave of the Cathedral
a large mural depicting St Peter
one of the elaborate windows, this one depicts St Michael
