Chelva Castle, Chelva, Spain

The origins of the present Chelva town can be found in the 11th century, when the ruling Moors established a fortress. The original city center was developed adjacent to the castle. It was enclosed by a wall with four gates (one is still visible, San Cristobal). Because of these fortifications, Chelva was a town of considerable importance during the Muslim rule.

The castle was converted as a palace where the Viscount of Chelva stayed from the late 14th century. The building evolved architecturally, eventually presiding over the Main Plaza. An Iberian occupation from the 4th century B.C. has recently been discovered, and the location of Chelva’s first Christian church within the castle walls from the 13th century has been confirmed.

User Reviews

Sandra Morales López (6 months ago)
Good atmosphere in the square and surroundings. c

Aina Massanet (11 months ago)

Vicente P.M. (12 months ago)
Photos of the multiple water sources that we can find in the Valencian municipality of Chelva

Adolfo Moreno (2 years ago)
Beautiful, beautiful views and very picturesque, mountains, rivers to go with the family

Gokul Naath (2 years ago)

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Chelva Castle

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