San Miguel del los Reyes

Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes
Avda. de la Constitución, 284
46019 VALENCIA
Phone 96 387 4000 - Fax 96 387 4037

 
 One of the most impressive architectural sights in all of Valencia is seen by few tourists as it is situated a bit off the beaten path. This building is well worth the trip out to Valencia's northern edge. 

The monastery as we know it was built in 1546 by Fernando of Aragon (whose tomb is inside) for the monasterial orden of Santo Geronimo. There was a smaller monastery of XIII century on this site before, in turn built on the ruins of a Moorish mosque of XI century. Some of those remains can be viewed in the North wing (accessible with a guided tour only). The monastery kept functioning until 1879, when it was converted into a prison. During the Franco regime it became a political prison (big srupirse!). These days it is a conservation library (not the one where you come to borrow books, but where valuable historic documents are kept and restored).

Bus: 11, 16 and 36. Tramway T6

Visiting times:
Tuesdays: at 10, 11 and 12;
Saturdays and Sundays at 12 and 13.

Library openings:
Monday to Friday: 9 to 20.30;
Saturdays: 9 to 13.30.