Church of Santa Catalina, Valencia, Gothic church in La Seu district, Valencia, Spain
The Church of Santa Catalina is a Gothic structure with three naves, several side chapels, and barrel vaults running across its interior. Its distinctive hexagonal tower rises through five clearly defined levels and forms the dominant feature of the building's outline.
The building was constructed in 1238 on the site of a former mosque and has shaped the urban landscape since then. After a major fire in 1548, its interior was fundamentally redesigned and gained the Baroque style it displays today.
The bells in the tower were cast in London in 1729 and still ring out today for residents of the historic La Seu neighborhood. They mark the daily rhythm of this ancient part of the city through their regular chiming.
The church sits on Plaza de Santa Catalina in La Seu and welcomes visitors on most days throughout the year. Plan a brief visit to walk through the interior and appreciate the mix of architectural styles without needing to spend hours on the site.
The bell tower was designed by Juan Bautista Viñes between 1688 and 1705 and echoes a pattern also seen on Valencia Cathedral's Miguelete tower. This visual connection links the two churches and shows how the city shared a common architectural language across its main religious buildings.
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