Saint Bartholomew’s Tower

The Tower of San Bartolomé, in Valencia

The Tower of San Bartolomé is a medieval vestige of Valencia, heritage of the former church of the same name. The Valencia audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this tower, whose origin dates back to the thirteenth century and the Christian Reconquest of the town.

The tower of the former medieval church

You glimpse from afar the Tower of San Bartolomé. To understand its origin, you must go back to the thirteenth century, at the moment when Valencia, dominated for centuries by the Muslims, was reconquered by King James I of Aragon in 1238. After this Reconquest, the Christians established new parishes in the town, often on the location of former mosques, and San Bartolomé was one of these first Christian parishes. The church, reworked several times over the centuries, was largely destroyed in the nineteenth century, but its tower survived, a precious witness of this history. This stone tower, with a robust and old appearance, thus recalls the major turning point that constituted the passage of Valencia from the Muslim world to the Christian world, and the birth of the Christian medieval town. A history-laden vestige and a witness of the Reconquest, the Tower of San Bartolomé is an interesting stop of the discovery of Valencia.

What to see

You admire the robust and old stone tower, heritage of the former church of San Bartolomé, one of the first Christian parishes established after the reconquest of Valencia by James I of Aragon in 1238, often on the location of former mosques; the church was destroyed but its tower survived, a witness of the Reconquest. The Tower of San Bartolomé is a history-laden vestige of Valencia. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tower of San Bartolomé lies in the old town of Valencia, reachable on foot. It is an open-air vestige, freely visible from the street. You discover it during a walk in the historic centre.

What is the origin of the Tower of San Bartolomé in Valencia?

It dates back to the thirteenth century: after the reconquest of Valencia by James I of Aragon in 1238, the Christians established new parishes, including San Bartolomé, one of the first; the church was destroyed in the nineteenth century but its tower survived, a witness of the Reconquest.

Where is the Tower of San Bartolomé of Valencia?

In the old town of Valencia, in Spain.