Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados

The Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados, the Basilica of the Virgin for the Hopeless is a small (by Valencian standards), structure. But the inside is quite exquisite.



A good place to begin is always with the ceiling. In this case it is oval and filled with clouds and angels. I was struck by the amount of green in the image. This is not a common color in painted ceilings. Usually the dominant color is blue.

Looking at the ceiling and the altar, you can see that the green continues in the marble and is complemented nicely by the gold.

Here it is again in landscape orientation showing more of the side chapels.

Opposite the altar is a set of doors with windows that permit viewing inside even when the building is closed.

On one side is a chapel with a another painted ceiling with lots of greens. This room was a silent place inhabited in the moment only by a couple priests - one in this photo and one in the back corner.

There is a delicacy to the painting and icons that is missing in the other churches and the cathedral. This give the place a kind of lightness and airiness that seems to fit well.