Palau dels Català de Valeriola

Palau dels Català de Valeriola is a Gothic city palace in Valencia, tucked away on the small Plaza de Nules just a short walk from the cathedral and the Lonja de la Seda. It's easy to walk past it on the way to the bigger-name landmarks of the old town, which is a shame, since it hides a facade and courtyard that trace back to the era of the Crown of Aragon.

Where does the name come from and who lived here?

The building went up in the 15th and 16th centuries on a plot with houses of Islamic origin — a common pattern for palaces in Valencia's historic center, many of which were built on older foundations after the Reconquest. The name comes from the Català de Valeriola family, who owned it during its most significant period. The palace is also known as Palau dels Escofet, after the last family to hold it before it passed into public hands.

The most interesting chapter in its history dates to the end of the 16th century. This is where the Academia de los Nocturnos was based — a literary circle founded in 1591 by Bernardo Guillem Català de Valeriola. Its gatherings were attended by, among others, Guillem de Castro, one of the leading playwrights of Spain's Golden Age. That makes the palace a real touchstone of Valencia's cultural history, not just its architecture.

What will you see inside and out?

The facade's current look comes from an 18th-century neoclassical remodel, which partially reshaped the original Gothic structure to match the architectural fashions of the time. The last full restoration took place in 2006, so the building is in solid condition today.

At the heart of the palace is an interior courtyard with a cobblestone floor, a feature typical of Valencian Gothic palaces. Worth knowing: the courtyard in its current neo-Gothic form actually dates from a 19th-century renovation laid over the original Gothic layout. It's a good example of how layered the history of old Valencia's buildings can be — each century added its own touches rather than erasing what came before.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Palau dels Català de Valeriola sits right in the heart of Ciutat Vella, Valencia's historic quarter, within walking distance of the Cathedral, Plaza del Mercado and the UNESCO-listed Lonja de la Seda. The easiest way to reach it is on foot, or by tram or metro to a stop within the old town, followed by a short walk through the district's narrow streets.

Today the building serves as an administrative headquarters — it houses the Vice-Presidency and Ministry of Equality and Inclusive Policies of the regional Valencian government. That means interior access is generally limited to office hours and specific occasions, so it's worth checking current visiting options before you go. Still, the facade and courtyard, where visible from outside, make a worthwhile stop on a walk through the historic center — mornings or late afternoon are best, when the light flatters the stonework.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the palace? Since the building functions as an administrative office for a regional government department, interior access is limited — it's best to check current visiting arrangements locally or at a tourist information point.

Why does the palace have two names? Palau dels Català de Valeriola and Palau dels Escofet refer to the same building — the first name comes from the family that owned it during its 16th-century heyday, the second from the last private owners.

What's the palace's connection to literature? At the end of the 16th century it hosted the Academia de los Nocturnos, a literary circle of Golden Age writers that included Guillem de Castro — the playwright who later inspired Corneille's "Le Cid."

How does the palace fit into a Valencia sightseeing route? It sits within a few hundred meters of the Cathedral, the Lonja de la Seda, and Plaza del Mercado, so it fits naturally into a walk through Ciutat Vella without requiring a special detour.