Church of the Assumption (Bocairent)

Few village churches carry such a telling nickname. In Bocairent, the parish church of the Assumption of Our Lady is called, quite simply, the Cathedral of the Mariola – not because it is the seat of any bishop, but because people across the district regard it as one of the most remarkable buildings anywhere around these mountains. That popular nickname is, for a start, the best possible invitation to come and see it.

The church is the town's main Catholic building and the heart of its religious life. Bocairent sits right in the Serra de Mariola, within the Vall d’Albaida district in the south of the province of Valencia, so a visit to the church fits naturally into any trip through these mountains and the villages around them.

Its value is not merely sentimental. The Church of the Assumption is listed in the General Inventory of Valencian Cultural Heritage as a Site of Local Importance (Bien de Relevancia Local), an official recognition that underlines its significance within the heritage of the Valencian Community and more than justifies spending some unhurried time there.

It is worth stepping inside with in mind what it represents for the place: a building that the people of an entire mountain range have raised, at least in name, to the rank of cathedral. Seeing it in that light helps you understand the pride with which Bocairent shows it off, and why it has become one of the must-see stops for anyone exploring the Mariola.