Valencia also has its own Sixtine Chapel!

The church of San Nicolás de Bari is located in the historic centre of Valencia, on Calle Caballeros. Funerary remains corresponding to a Roman temple were discovered in the area around the Plaça de San Nicolás. It was later transformed into a Visigothic Early Christian temple. With the arrival of the Muslims in the 8th century, a mosque was built in its place. But after King James I of Aragon reconquered Valencia in 1238, the mosque was transformed into a Christian parish. The Dominican Order, also known as the Preachers, renamed the church in honour of Saint Nicholas of Bari. A few years later, the order added another saint to the parish name, the first Dominican martyr, San Pedro Mártir.

Much later, during the Spanish Civil War, the church was badly damaged and looted. Fortunately, recent restoration work has restored the original frescoes to their former splendour. In the past, the building had already undergone major renovations, such as the one ordered by the Borja family between 1419 and 1455. It was at this time that the Gothic ribbed vaulting of the central nave was created.

If you come on a Monday, you may be surprised to see hundreds of visitors arriving. They perform the so-called "Caminatas a San Nicolás", otherwise known as the Devotion to San Judas Tadeo. The faithful flock to the chapel dedicated to the saint, who is known as the patron saint of lost causes. By touching his statue, believers hope to solve impossible cases. For their wishes to be granted, Christians must attend the church for three days in a row, remaining silent on the way.

The frescoes for which the church is famous were painted between 1690 and 1693. They depict scenes from the lives of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir, designed by Antonio Palomino and painted by Dionís Vidal. The paintings show scenes from their childhood, their preaching, the miracles they performed and their deaths.

Contemplating the chapels, altars and vaults of the church is bound to leave you in awe. Nearly 2,000 m2 of magnificently restored paintings are before your eyes. Take a moment to look at the paintings: you can see the fictitious openings that evoke the sky. As for the scenes from the lives of the saints, the vault is divided into two parts, corresponding to each of the saints.