A former monastery, now a library, this giant is quite a way from the centre but if you have time, it may well be one of your favourite impressions of Valencia. Away from the buzz of the city, on the edge of a largely Latin American district, in front of a quiet large marbled square with a few lonely palms, it is an incredibly atmospheric experience, especially if you catch it in the last red rays of setting Sun.

It is a spectacular complex in Renaissance style, where you can wonder between the tranquil arches of the inner yard. The church in the centre is the second highest (41 m) in Valencia after the Cathedral, with amazing interior of coloured alabaster.

Normally, you can only view the outside and walk around the yard of the South wing. By having a guided tour (see below) you can also view the North wing, the church and the crypt.

History: The monastery as we know it was built in 1546 by Fernando of Aragon (whose tomb is inside) for the monasterial orden of Santo Geronimo. There was a smaller monastery of XIII century on this site before, in turn built on the ruins of a Moorish mosque of XI century. Some of those remains can be viewed in the North wing (accessible with a guided tour only). The monastery kept functioning until 1879, when it was converted into a prison. During the Franco regime it became a political prison. These days it is a conservation library (not the one where you come to borrow books, but where valuable historic documents are kept and restored).

Getting there: buses 36, 16, 11. Taxi will cost 6-7€ one way from the centre.

SERVICES

Guided tours are the only way to see the whole of the monastery. Due to this being a conservation library, at other times you are allowed only to the exterior and the inner yard of the South wing. Guided tours: Sat and Sun at 12.00 and 13.00. Duration - 45 min, free of charge. No reservation needed, just wait at the entrance to the South wing. For a minimum of 5 persons a tour can also booked for a Tuesday, at 10am, 11am and 12pm