Iglesia Santa María la Mayor in Ayora

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Discover a fascinating example of a Reconquista-era church in a setting steeped in history.

Located in the lower part of the castle grounds, Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, Santa María la Mayor Church, is a former Gothic church in Ayora, Valencia, which is now also known as the Hermitage of San Blas.

Things to see at Santa María la Mayor Church in Ayora

The church has a single nave divided by arches, with side chapels set between buttresses and an apse covered by a ribbed vault.

Inside, look out for the image of the Virgin beside the town’s coat of arms, while the exterior is topped by a pitched roof covered with traditional Arabic tiles.

In the 16th century, the church ceased to serve as the town’s parish church after a new one opened, although it continued to be used for worship over the centuries. It is well worth discovering during your visit to Ayora.