The Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken

This square opens up with a beautiful cathedral on your right. In front of you stands an elegant pink building—a Baroque sanctuary dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Forsaken. With a name like that, you can probably guess there’s a powerful story behind it. It’s been one of the most important religious sites in Valencia since the 17th century. In 1885, the Catholic Church officially elevated it to the status of a basilica, and in 1923, Our Lady of the Forsaken was canonised in a grand ceremony attended by the King and Queen of Spain. That alone gives you a sense of just how important this site is to Valencians. To understand the origin of its name, we need to go further back. In 1407, a priest called Juan Gilabert Jofré witnessed a violent assault on his way to the cathedral. A group of young men were attacking someone with a mental illness. At the time, such individuals were believed to be possessed by the devil. After intervening and protecting the man, the priest gave a powerful sermon in the cathedral, denouncing the “irrational and cruel persecution of the most innocent—those without defence or responsibility.” At the end of his sermon, he proposed the creation of a safe place to shelter the most vulnerable. Local merchants and artisans provided the funds to build a hospice here. It welcomed the sick, the orphaned, and the abandoned. This is where Our Lady of the Forsaken began—protector of the vulnerable, and eventually, patron saint of the city of Valencia. The "forsaken" were those who had found refuge in the hospice. Every May, there are grand processions that celebrate her, and pay tribute to her compassion and care. Let’s return to the basilica standing before you. Construction began in 1652 by Diego Martinez Ponce de Urrana, on the site of the original hospice. The basilica has several unique features. Firstly, it wasn’t built on the site of a former parish church or convent, which is quite rare for a religious building. Secondly, its dome isn’t in the centre, as is customary, but angled towards the neighbouring cathedral. To see it clearly, you’ll need to step back and stand in the middle of the façade. Its architecture is a beautiful mix of Baroque with some Renaissance touches that add to its charm. Inside, you’ll be drawn to the vibrant frescoes painted by Antonio Palomino, alongside a side chapel devoted to the Virgin, accessed by a staircase. As with the other monuments in the city, we encourage you to step inside and see it for yourself. There, you’ll meet the beloved patron saint, known here as la Geperudeta—the “little hunchback”—a nickname inspired by her slightly bowed head, always leaning forward, ready to help those most in need. A quiet, powerful symbol of compassion, and a true treasure of Valencia.