The old chapter house (today the Holy Grail Chapel, 1356–1369), where the canons met to discuss internal affairs, houses one of the most spectacular star vaults in Valencia. Architect Pere Compte (who also designed La Lonja in Valencia city and the fortified parish church of Xabia in Alicante) built the corridor to the old hall in 1496 when the nave was extended to link the Bell Tower and the Chapter House.
The entrance door features a Gothic portal carved by Pere Balaguer in 1424. On one side of the corridor, visitors can see the funeral monument of Bishop Vidal de Blanes, the founder of the Chapter House. Also displayed in the Chapter House is The Adoration of the Shepherds (1472), a fresco painting (now transferred to canvas) by Lorenzo Pagano de Neapoli and Paolo de San Leocadio. This artwork originally served as a trial piece for the decoration of the Great Chapel.
Inside the chapel, visitors can admire St Michael’s altarpiece (early 16th century) by Vincent Macip. While it retains the classical structure of 14th and 15th century altarpieces, the paintings themselves reflect the transition to the Renaissance.
In 1916, the Holy Chalice was moved for safekeeping to the Chapter House, which serves as its current chapel. Built under the orders of Bishop Vidal de Blanes between 1365 and 1369, this square chapel features a flamboyant Gothic style (14th century) with plain walls of carved stone. Historically, it hosted the Kingdom's courts as well as theology classes taught by Saint Vincent Ferrer, among others.
The room measures 13 metres square and 16 metres high. It features a star-like ribbed vault whose ribs extend into multicoloured severies. The keystones of the vault depict the twelve Apostles and the Coronation of the Virgin in heaven after the Assumption, the latter being the central mystery of this Cathedral.
This space was completely unaffected by the neoclassical restorations of the 18th century. The alabaster altarpiece, which originally served as the old choir entrance (15th century), was relocated here. It features twelve outstanding reliefs by the Florentine artist Giuliano Poggibonsi (a disciple of Ghiberti, famous for the Gates of Paradise in Florence). The scenes on the lower section depict the Old Testament, serving as a prophecy for the New Testament scenes shown on the upper section.
The Epiphany, a fresco by Nicolás Florentino (1472), is visible on the walls, alongside the historical chains once used to close off the port of Marseille. These chains were brought back to Valencia by Alfonso V the Magnanimous in the 15th century.
All photos property copyright - Karla Ingleton Darocas (KarlaDarocas.com)
