Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital (Church of San Juan del Hospital), Valencia

This house of worship is one of the oldest to be found anywhere in Valencia. It was built in the year 1261 A.D., located in the old quarter of the town, between Plaza San Vicente Ferrer and Plaza de Napoles y Sicilia. You can reach the church by way of La Paz Street. This religious institution is dedicated to John the Baptist.

The land for the building was donated by King Jaime I after the reclaim of Valencia and Malta from the Moors. The structure also had a hospital, convent and church cemetery.

The original church – done in the Gothic style – is almost completely gone now. In more modern times, the church is mainly Baroque, having a pointed vault. Make sure you visit the exquisite Chapel of Santa Barbara which is located here. The church is open every day of the week.

Why You Should Visit:
Modest but dignified and always worth visiting – if not for the church itself, then for the charming little patio you go through on your way to the actual church entrance.