Basilica of St. Paschal Baylon, Catholic pilgrimage church in Vila-real, Spain.
The Basilica of St. Paschal Baylon is a baroque church in Vila-real, in the Valencia region, with two bell towers rising above the town. The complex includes a chapel with a decorated altar and several rooms used as a museum, displaying religious artworks and objects related to the saint's life.
The chapel was built in 1591 on the spot where Paschal Baylon had died, shortly after he was beatified in 1592. Over the following centuries, the complex was expanded and rebuilt several times until it eventually received the rank of a minor basilica.
Paschal Baylon was a Franciscan lay brother who lived and worked in this region during the second half of the 16th century. Pilgrims from across Spain and beyond come here to pray at his tomb, which sits inside the chapel of the basilica.
The museum section requires an arranged visit, so it is worth planning ahead to access all parts of the complex. The chapel and outdoor areas are generally easier to enter and can be visited without prior arrangement.
The basilica houses a carillon of around 80 bells that plays melodies automatically during religious services. This kind of system is very rare in Spain and makes the church a destination for people who are curious about historic musical instruments.
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