Iglesia de San Lorenzo (Church of St. Lawrence), Valencia

This may not be Valencia’s headline-grabbing church, but it has been around long enough to deserve a respectful nod—and possibly a very good dusting. Records mention it as early as 1245, placing it among the city’s historic parishes from the age of the Reconquest. Its exact origins remain a little hazy, though it was likely built in the 13th or 14th century, possibly over the site of a former Arab mosque. The hexagonal bell tower came later, in 1746—because even medieval churches occasionally got an upgrade...

Inside, the church has a single nave running parallel to the square. It began with Gothic bones, then received a full Baroque makeover in the 1680s—think less monk-like modesty, and more ecclesiastical theater. The main altarpiece is the star attraction, and one of the few in Valencia to survive the Spanish Civil War in 1936. With its twisting Solomonic columns and layered sculptural design, it brings depth, movement, and just enough theatrical flair to keep the eyes busy.

By 1902, the church had stopped serving as a parish and was handed over to the Franciscan order. Their convent stands next door, making the whole block feel like a long-running religious ensemble cast.