Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital

The Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital is one of the most spiritually significant and oldest churches in the city of Valencia, Spain. Founded in 1238, shortly after the Christian reconquest of the city by King James I of Aragon, this church was established by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. Its foundation marked a sacred turning point in Valencia’s religious history, becoming a center for healing, faith, and pilgrimage for travelers, soldiers, and the faithful who sought divine intercession and protection.

Built on the grounds of a former mosque, the church preserves a rare blend of early Romanesque and Gothic architecture with clear influences from the military and spiritual orders that helped shape medieval Europe. The interior offers a peaceful, intimate atmosphere ideal for contemplation, and includes several chapels, relics, and ancient tombstones. Pilgrims and locals alike come here to connect with a sense of timeless devotion. Angelic imagery and references to spiritual healing through divine guidance are woven throughout its iconography and layout, reinforcing its role as a sacred refuge. Today, it remains a living temple of prayer, offering daily masses, confession, and spiritual counseling for those seeking light in moments of uncertainty.