Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine's Church and Tower), Valencia
The Church of Santa Catalina stands in one of the most architecturally striking areas of Valencia, right off La Paz Street and just a short walk from Queen鈥檚 Plaza. It鈥檚 among the city鈥檚 oldest places of worship, with roots going back to the 13th century. Built on the former site of a mosque after the Christian reconquest of 1238, the structure we see today is a testament to centuries of change.
What immediately catches the eye is the Baroque bell tower鈥攁dded much later, in the 18th century鈥攔ising above the mainly Gothic body of the church. Its hexagonal shape and ornate style set it apart from the rest of the building, creating a dramatic contrast. Local lore says this tower is 鈥渕arried鈥� to the Cathedral鈥檚 Miguelete tower, and at 56 meters high, it鈥檚 a familiar figure on the city鈥檚 skyline.
Over time, Santa Catalina has faced its share of hardships. A devastating fire in 1548 led to a Baroque-style reconstruction of much of the interior. Later, during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the building was damaged once again. In the 1950s, a restoration campaign sought to peel back the layers of time and restore its original Gothic character.
One curious detail to look out for is a sculpted head of Saint Eligius, embedded in the wall near the entrance. As the patron saint of metalworkers and goldsmiths, his presence hints at the church鈥檚 past ties with the local silversmiths鈥� guild, who once maintained a chapel here. Beyond that, take your time to step inside, explore the side chapels, and admire the craftsmanship that has endured through the centuries.
What immediately catches the eye is the Baroque bell tower鈥攁dded much later, in the 18th century鈥攔ising above the mainly Gothic body of the church. Its hexagonal shape and ornate style set it apart from the rest of the building, creating a dramatic contrast. Local lore says this tower is 鈥渕arried鈥� to the Cathedral鈥檚 Miguelete tower, and at 56 meters high, it鈥檚 a familiar figure on the city鈥檚 skyline.
Over time, Santa Catalina has faced its share of hardships. A devastating fire in 1548 led to a Baroque-style reconstruction of much of the interior. Later, during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the building was damaged once again. In the 1950s, a restoration campaign sought to peel back the layers of time and restore its original Gothic character.
One curious detail to look out for is a sculpted head of Saint Eligius, embedded in the wall near the entrance. As the patron saint of metalworkers and goldsmiths, his presence hints at the church鈥檚 past ties with the local silversmiths鈥� guild, who once maintained a chapel here. Beyond that, take your time to step inside, explore the side chapels, and admire the craftsmanship that has endured through the centuries.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valencia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine's Church and Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine's Church and Tower)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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