Monasterio del Temple

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Discover El Temple monastery and church in València, a building that has three centuries of history behind it.

Sitting in Plaza del Temple, just steps from the former bed of the river Turia and Jardines de Viveros, is El Temple church, which is one of València’s best known monasteries. The site comprises the convent, the school and the church of the Order of Montesa, which is known as El Temple as it used to belong to the Knights Templar.

This religious building was constructed in the 18th century, between 1761 and 1770, and was commissioned by Charles III after an earthquake that destroyed the monastery that was previously located on the site.

The monastery is Neoclassical in style, inspired by the Italian movement; architect Miguel Fernández closely followed the teachings of his master, Sabatini.

The convent façade has an austere appearance. The windows of the main floor are topped with triangular pediments but there are no columns or pillars. The interior patio is defined by its stone arcades and balconies. The church, which sits on the western side of the complex, has one nave lined with chapels and a dome caps the crossing of the intersections. From the façade, you will see two towers, a triangular pediment and some huge pillars. The influence of Valencian tradition can be seen only in the glazed tiles covering the towers and the dome.

Currently, the convent houses the Government Delegation while the church, known as Santa María del Temple, remains a place of worship.