The recently restored Cathedral between La Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza de la Reina was begun in 1262 shortly after the conquest of Valencia from the Moors. It is in fact built on the site of what was Valencia's main Mosque. The Capilla del Santo Cáliz (to the right of the main entrance) houses what is claimed to be The Holy Grail, the chalice from which Christ sipped from during the last supper. The distinctive octagonal Miguelette bell tower has 207 steps to the top and for a small admission fee you get a 360 degree view over the old city.
La Plaza de la Virgen with its elegant fountain and views of the cathedral makes for a great place to stop for a drink (albeit at a slightly inflated price!). On 17th and 18th of March the square is ablaze with colour as over 20,000 Falleros and Falleras bring flowers as an offering to the Virgin Mary. Some weeks later (on the 2nd of May) crowds fill the plaza once more, this time in a bid to touch the robes of the Virgin as she makes the journey from her basilica to the cathedral's baroque door.
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Also see Days out.
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