El Micalet

El Miguelete, known in Castilian as El Miguelete and in Valencian as Torre del Micalet, is the distinctive bell tower of Valencia Cathedral. Construction of this Valencian Gothic structure began in 1381 and was completed in 1429, with several master builders, including Andreu Juliá, Pedro Balaguer, and Martí Llobet, taking part in overseeing the work. Originally conceived as a freestanding tower, it was not connected to the cathedral until the end of the 15th century. The octagonal structure stands 63 meters (207 feet) tall in total, with the terrace at 51 meters (167 feet), reached by 207 steps. The facade is shaped by diagonal buttresses and fine cornices that separate the different levels from one another.

Inside, the tower is divided into several functional areas. The first level is solid and houses only the spiral staircase, while the second served as an old prison cell or cathedral sanctuary. The third floor was traditionally the residence of the bell ringer, a role that continued into the early 20th century. The top level forms the bell chamber with eight windows, seven of which are used for the bells. The famous hour bell, which gave the tower its name, was recast several times, most recently in 1539, and is one of the largest of its kind in the Crown of Aragon. Altogether, the tower holds one of the richest collections of Gothic bells in Spain, including the historic bell Catalina from 1305.

The tower is open to visitors daily, with admission purchased through the cathedral. After the climb, the terrace offers sweeping views over the city. Particularly impressive is the chance to visit the bell chamber, where you can see the historic bells behind barred doors. The ringing of the bells follows a complex system that includes both automatic signals for prayers and the closing of the city gates, as well as manual ringing patterns for liturgical feasts and special occasions. This tradition is kept alive by the cathedral's present-day bell ringers, who work with ropes and so preserve Valencia's historic soundscape.