Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken), Valencia

Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken), Valencia

Next to the Cathedral, the Basilica is the most popular religious site in Valencia. Thousands visit its halls every year. It was built in 1652 and dedicated to the Mother of Jesus. It is located in the Virgin Square.

The building is a Baroque architecture, as one might note from the side chapel attached to the main complex. In fact, this is one of the first examples of such architecture in Spain. It can be accessed from a staircase located on the side of the main building.

The Basilica was built on the same site where various other churches, mosques and chapels once stood. The floors have an elliptical shape, which also makes for a quite beautiful building. If you look closely, you will also notice the dome is not centered. It is slightly forward of center, towards the Cathedral.

There are many beautiful pieces of artwork as well as sculptures here. The frescoes are among the best in Spain. One statue of note is the statue of the little Hunchback. Designed in Gothic styling, it depicts a local virgin who was known for her work with the poor and destitute. The face of the statue is Byzantine and is adorned beautifully with jewelry from the faithful.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valencia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken) on Map

Sight Name: Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Valencia

Create Your Own Walk in Valencia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Valencia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Valencia Introduction Walking Tour

Valencia Introduction Walking Tour

Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, boasts an ancient lineage dating back to 138 BC when it was established as a colony for Roman war veterans. Originally christened "Valentia," which means valor, a tribute to the battle-hardened soldiers, it eventually evolved into Valencia through gradual phonetic changes.

In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Contemporary Architecture Walk

Contemporary Architecture Walk

With one foot in the past and the other one in the future, it is hard to find a European city more architecturally intriguing than Valencia. Among the multitude of styles, Valencia particularly excels at the cutting-edge contemporary architecture. She owes it to her own born and bred architect, Santiago Calatrava, renowned for his hyper-modern-surreal designs.

In the course of nearly two...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

Home to most of Valencia's main tourist attractions, the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is undoubtedly the most charming part of the city, reflecting its history and retaining its star-shaped medieval layout. Formerly a walled town from the Roman period, this area saw its major development commence in the 14th-15th centuries, the most tangible remains of which now are Torres de Serranos (Serranos...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Valencia's Classical Architecture Tour

Valencia's Classical Architecture Tour

Gazing upon the multitude of styles on the facades of Valencia – Renaissance, Baroque, Modernist, Beaux-Art, Art Nouveau, and more – makes one realize that this is more than just a Mediterranean coastal destination with beautiful beaches. Colorful and diverse, the “capital of Turia” boasts a wealth of architectural treasures that make it more contrasting and delicate than any other city in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles