Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados
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The Basilica de Virgen de Los Desamparados or The Basilica of the Forsaken and/or Forgotten is the second most important religious structure in Valencia (The Catedral is the first) and one of the earliest Baroque buildings in all of Spain. The Basilica was built between 1652 and 1667 on the site of a Roman temple and is the only church in old town Valencia not built on the site of a former parish church or convent. A renaissance arch leads from the Basilica on Plaza de la Virgen to Valencia cathedral.
Constructed in traditional Spanish style with a typical blue tiled dome, the Basilica is host to the hugely revered statue of Virgen of the Forsaken - the patron saint of Valencia. Depicted with a lily in one hand, her other hand holds the baby Jesus who bears the cross in his arms. The Virgin’s posture is characterized by a slight forward tilt for which she is known affectionately as the Geperudeta (hunchback) of Valencia.
The frescoes on the dome of the nave were painted by Antonio Palomino (1653 - 1726) and are quite stunning. Also noteworthy is the side-chapel, a characteristic element of the Baroque architectural style. This is one of the first side-chapels we know of in Spain and is accessible via a staircase.
Legend has it that on February 24, 1409 a priest by the name of Father Joan Gilabert Jofré was on his way from his convent to Santa Catalina church to deliver a sermon. On the way he witnessed the lynching of a mentally ill man and intervened to save him. Afterward Father Jofré preached on the subject of care of the mentally ill and established a hospital dedicated to caring for them. Five years later a brotherhood was founded under the invocation of Our Lady of the Insane and the Forsaken Innocents. The church’s mandate was expanded to include orphaned children and in 1416 the patroness was renamed Our Lady of the Forsaken.
With a history such as that is it any wonder that this Virgen is the patron saint of Valencia? If you are lucky enough to be in Valencia on the second Sunday in May you absolutely must watch the festivities celebrating the Saint Day of Our Lady of the Forsaken in Plaza de la Virgen.
A fun fact: if you look closely you’ll notice that the dome is off-center and leans toward the Cathedral. In deference, perhaps?
Hours of Operation: Access only during masses. Monday through Sunday: 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 13.30 (1:30pm); 17.30 (5:30pm); 18.30 (6:30pm); 19.30(7:30pm); 20.30 (8:30pm). Admission is free.
Constructed in traditional Spanish style with a typical blue tiled dome, the Basilica is host to the hugely revered statue of Virgen of the Forsaken - the patron saint of Valencia. Depicted with a lily in one hand, her other hand holds the baby Jesus who bears the cross in his arms. The Virgin’s posture is characterized by a slight forward tilt for which she is known affectionately as the Geperudeta (hunchback) of Valencia.
The frescoes on the dome of the nave were painted by Antonio Palomino (1653 - 1726) and are quite stunning. Also noteworthy is the side-chapel, a characteristic element of the Baroque architectural style. This is one of the first side-chapels we know of in Spain and is accessible via a staircase.
Legend has it that on February 24, 1409 a priest by the name of Father Joan Gilabert Jofré was on his way from his convent to Santa Catalina church to deliver a sermon. On the way he witnessed the lynching of a mentally ill man and intervened to save him. Afterward Father Jofré preached on the subject of care of the mentally ill and established a hospital dedicated to caring for them. Five years later a brotherhood was founded under the invocation of Our Lady of the Insane and the Forsaken Innocents. The church’s mandate was expanded to include orphaned children and in 1416 the patroness was renamed Our Lady of the Forsaken.
With a history such as that is it any wonder that this Virgen is the patron saint of Valencia? If you are lucky enough to be in Valencia on the second Sunday in May you absolutely must watch the festivities celebrating the Saint Day of Our Lady of the Forsaken in Plaza de la Virgen.
A fun fact: if you look closely you’ll notice that the dome is off-center and leans toward the Cathedral. In deference, perhaps?
Hours of Operation: Access only during masses. Monday through Sunday: 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 13.30 (1:30pm); 17.30 (5:30pm); 18.30 (6:30pm); 19.30(7:30pm); 20.30 (8:30pm). Admission is free.
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