This vast cathedral is one of Valencia’s most imposing landmarks. It dominates Plaça de la Reina, a long, elegant square surrounded by terrace cafés and palm trees. The cathedral was built to proclaim the conquest of the city by the Christian armies of Jaume 1. A mosque on the same site was destroyed to make way for it. Begun in the late 13th century and completed at the end of the 15th century, it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a mixture of various architectural styles. Its intricately sculpted baroque façade was added in the 1700s.

In contrast to this, the interior features a surprisingly light and elegant Gothic design, with alabaster windows and a 14th century cupola. However, there is also a broodingly gloomy, heavily perfumed chapel – the Capilla del Santo Cáliz – which contains the cathedral’s most celebrated artefact: a jewel encrusted chalice carved from agate that is reputed to be the Holy Grail. If you wish, you can drop one Euro into a slot and the altarpiece will light up for full ecclesiastical effect!

The cathedral’s other great feature is the 60 metre high Micalet, a delightful, Gothic octagonal belltower which has become Valencia’s much loved symbol. To reach the top you have to climb 270 steps. You might be staggering when you get to the top, but then so is the view across the cupolas, baroque towers and higgledy-piggledy maze of the Old City.