Basilica of St. James the Apostle, Algemesí, Spain Verified listing

Basilica of St. James the Apostle, Algemesí, Spain

The Basilica of Saint James the Apostle was built between 1550 and 1582. Domingo Gamieta led the project. Juan de Alicante and Juan Matalí also contributed. In 1980, the basilica and its surroundings became a Site of Cultural Interest.

The church has a rectangular floor plan with a single nave. Small chapels sit between buttresses. It divides into five sections, each covered by ribbed vaults. At the eastern end, a polygonal sanctuary stands. It has a star-shaped vault. Visitors enter from the Gospel side.

Notably, the Communion Chapel sits at the church's foot. It runs perpendicular to the main axis. This chapel may have been the original church, commissioned by Gonzalo Pérez in 1423. It connects to the main church through three arches.

Over time, renovations have altered the chapel. In the early 18th century, workers added a Baroque covering. Later, artisans introduced Neoclassical elements to enhance the church.

One striking feature is the Renaissance portal. It follows the triumphal arch design. The portal has paired columns and niches. In addition, it displays three niches between Corinthian columns. A curved pediment crowns the portal. Above, the town's coat of arms sits.

Furthermore, the basilica has a bell tower above the entrance. Remarkably, the church supports the bell tower without pillars. As a result, the tower stands independently. Even today, visitors notice a slight tilt. This tilt adds to the church’s historic charm.

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