Hotels near Plaza de la Virgen

Plaza de la Virgen is the most beautiful square in Valencia's Old Town - a triangular plaza framed by the Basilica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats (Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken), the back of the cathedral, and the Palau de la Generalitat, the regional government headquarters since the 15th century. The reclining Turia Fountain at the centre depicts the river god surrounded by eight female figures representing the historical irrigation channels of the surrounding huerta farmland.

Every Thursday at noon, in front of the cathedral's Apostles' Door, the Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Tribunal) convenes. Eight elected farmer-judges hand down rulings on irrigation disputes in Valencian dialect - a court that has met without interruption for over 1,000 years and is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Sessions take 5-15 minutes and are open to the public, with a multilingual leaflet handed out at the start.

Pro Tip: Take a horchata at one of the cafe terraces and stay through the evening - musicians regularly play in the square after sunset, and the basilica's facade is dramatically lit. The square is at its emptiest at 8am for photography and most lively from 22:00 onwards.