GUIDED VISITS EASTER  2012

In 1783, seventeen years alter the consecration of the church, work was started on the tower, which is now the most outstanding monument in the town, designed and supervised by the architect Joan Barceló.

The octagonal tower rises up from the right side of the church, freestanding and independent of the main building, with four sections separated by string courses and the top.

On the top of the tower there is an image of St John the Baptist, in wood covered with lead. The access portal is framed in Doric columns and capped with a niche containing the image of St Barbara.

The belltower measures 68 m high from base to top, making it one of the tallest in the entire Valencia Region. The whole building is built in white limestone with no quarry masters' signs or marks. A spiral stairway ascends to the bell chamber.

According to legend, the foundations of the belltower are said to be set over vine shoots. This is to prevent the strong winds blowing through the valley from moving or toppling the tower. From the top there is a spectacular view of the town, the valley and the surrounding mountains, forming the so-called Corridor of Alcalà