About Puçol

Cultural Heritage

The two churches, the tower and the mill are the most noteworthy elements of Puçol’s cultural heritage

Church of Santos Juanes:

The construction of the main façade of the Church of Santos Juanes started in 1587, when the tasks of measuring and staking-out the perimeter were carried out, and they started digging the foundations.

In 1588 Juan de Ribera, Patriarch of Antioquia and Archbishop of Valencia, set the first stone in the Church of Santos Juanes of Puçol, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. At that time the population was approximately 400 and, even though the village did not need a temple of such magnitude, it was of major significance to the villagers, as it would be the first thing to be visible at a distance. The local inhabitants focussed all their efforts on building the temple, as there are hardly any other buildings dating from the seventeenth century.

The church was under construction until 1607. The Patriarch transferred the Holy Sacrament from the old church to the newly finished temple, and celebrated the first mass that same day, on 28 of October 1607. On the same day and in the same procession, before the Custodia of the Holy Sacrament, the image of Our Lady the Virgin at the Foot of the Cross, was transferred. This figure was found in 1570 on the hill of Cabeçol de El Puig. It is thought to have come from the sixth to eighth century Hispanic Church and that it was hidden in 714 and during the years of Arab rule to avoid its destruction, which leads us to believe this small piece could be the oldest remaining Christian iconography in the whole Region of Valencia.

The construction of the temple was financed by means of private donations and the alms collected at the kiln . Inside, it holds several sculptures and paintings, such as the image of Our Lady the Virgin at the Foot of the Cross, the Church’s main altarpiece, by Manuel Vergara, or the fifteenth century altarpiece representing the Mystery of the Trinity.

Church of Santos Juanes Virtual Tour:

[Visita Virtual Santos Juanes]

Walls of the Botanic Gardens:

The walls were built in 1607 next to the Church of Santos Juanes. These old baroque walls are all that remains of the Archbishop’s Palace. It is a masonry construction, with semi-circular turrets crowned by blue ceramic tiles.

It once contained a botanical garden, one of the first in Spain, the first university botanical garden, and the oldest in Europe. It is said peanuts were cultivated here for the first time in Spain.

Its condition was progressively deteriorating until, considering the importance of its conservation for its historical and architectonic (baroque style) interest, it was renovated in 1999.

Church of Santa Marta:

The other church in Puçol is the Church of Santa Marta. It was built in 1964 by its own parishioners, which adds to its appeal. It is a functional church, built in a modern style that plays with natural light and built during the final stage of the II Vatican Council.

Inside we can find several artistic works, such as the altarpiece representing a quote from the Gospel, the iconography of Saint Martha, patron of the church, as well as several sculptures including Mary Immaculate and the Christ of Hope.

Church of Santa Marta Virtual Tour:

[Visita Virtual Santa Marta]

‘La Torreta’ (The Tower):

Another important building we find here is the Talaia Tower, also known as ‘La Torreta’. Built in the fourteenth century, it is considered to be the oldest house in Puçol. Its purpose was to watch and protect the town from potential attacks. The tower is of Moorish style and was built in stone, tile and clay brick. Its location, in the old town (Calle de la Torreta), makes it more interesting and majestic.

It is currently a private dwelling and cannot be visited inside. However, it has been restored and is officially listed as a building of Cultural Interest due to its historical and cultural significance.

Molí de Vent (windmill):

In the outskirts of the town we can find the Windmill (Molí de Vent), approximately one kilometre west of the town centre, on the crest of hill, with a privileged view of the town and the sea. It is one of the few Arab windmills in the Region of Valencia with these characteristics.

It stopped functioning as a mill in the nineteenth century, and it doesn’t currently have a specific use, although nature and culture lovers may enjoy it whenever they wish. It is considered of environmental and popular interest, which raises the possibility of further restoration, however, its surroundings --with the nearby dual carriageway and power station-- are not favourable for tourist purposes.

Molí de Vent (Windmill) Virtual Tour:

[Visita Virtual Molí de Vent]

Altarpieces and old houses:

Altarpieces and old houses enjoy certain protections due to their architectural and historical value and their antiquity. There are 39 listed houses, mainly located in the old town. You can enjoy the harmony, tranquillity and beauty of the town’s streets as you follow this itinerary, discovering the different house façades as you go along.

In addition, you can enjoy 17 fully protected antique ceramic altarpieces, constructed for votive and decorative purposes on old town house façades.

Some of these houses and altarpieces are located mainly along the following streets: Sant Joan, Sant Pere, Sant Miquel, Cavallers, Sant Antoni, Morvedre, Els Horts, Castello and Mariano Amigo.

Traditional Crafts:

These two traditional crafts are part of Puçol’s cultural heritage, although nowadays we may rarely come across them, as these professions are in marked the decline and are being substituted by mass production:

The corretjers , in charge of manufacturing and repairing horse harnesses and other farm equipment made of leather.

Basketmaking, which consisted of making hand-crafted baskets, large farming baskets, espadrilles and other objects made of esparto.

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