Iglesia de El Salvador

The Church of El Salvador is one of the oldest churches in the diocese of Valencia and a landmark of the historic centre of Sagunto. It was built in the 13th century, after the conquest by Jaume I, on the remains of an earlier place of worship, and keeps the sober character of the first churches of the reconquest, when Romanesque forms still coexisted with the solutions that would soon give way to the Gothic.

History

Its foundation dates from the years after the kingdom's incorporation into the Crown of Aragon, when the religious life of the territory was reorganised and new Christian churches were raised. Reusing an earlier site of worship was common among these medieval churches, and that is the case with El Salvador.

What to see

The building has a broad single nave, a hallmark of Valencian churches of the period, covered with a coffered ceiling of Mudéjar inspiration. The Romanesque-style doorway and the robust bell tower on a rectangular plan complete the whole.

Tips for your visit

• Pair it with a stroll through the old Jewish quarter and the rest of the old town.
• Opening hours are usually tied to services, so it is worth checking before you go.
• Come early to enjoy the neighbourhood at its quietest.