Construction of the parish church began in the early 17th century and was completed in 1620. Several master builders were involved in the project, including Juan de Lacambra and his disciple Pedro Ambuesa. The building, which has served as the religious center ofRubielos de Moraever since, features a floor plan with elements of the Gothic architecture typical of the Levante region.

Exterior

The building has a tower with three square sections and a fourth octagonal section, which houses the bells (one of which dates from 1476). The tower is topped by a small lantern. The entrance is protected by a grille, crafted by Manuel Baselga, which leads to a portico with ribbed vaults and a two-part façade: the first section features Doric columns, and the second has niches housing the patron saint of the church and the coat of arms of Rubielos.

Interior

The church has a rectangular floor plan with a single nave and side chapels—six in total—dedicated to different purposes or saints. It also features a 19th-century Chapter House, where the Collegiate Chapter met, and a choir with Baroque stalls.

The high altar suffered a fire in 1844 that destroyed the main altarpiece; it was rebuilt in 1859 in the Neoclassical style with a painting of the Coronation, a copy of Velázquez’s work. In 1619, the stucco artist Francisco Miliqueta created the cross-vault of the narthex.

The six chapels located within the church are: the Baptismal Chapel, with 14th-century ironwork; the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; the Chapel of the Savior; the Chapel of the Rosary; and the Chapel of St. Joseph. The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is an extension of the church built in the 19th century, housing our patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She is depicted in an 18th-century painting of the Last Supper, and this is where Masses are typically held.

For three centuries, the Chapel of the Rosary housed an altarpiece by Juan Miguel de Orliens, which was destroyed during the Civil War. The Chapel of the Savior holds one of the most valuable treasures: the large altarpiece of the Virgin, in the International Gothic style, attributed to Gonçal Peris, who belonged to the Valencian school of Pere Nicolau.

Altarpiece of the Virgin

This spectacular altarpiece is a work measuring 7 meters high by 5 meters wide. It features 53 small works of art depicting the Life of the Virgin, the Passion of Christ, the evangelists, various saints venerated in Rubielos, our original coat of arms, and prophets and patriarchs. All of this is rendered in a rich palette of colors, making it one of Rubielos’ must-see attractions.

Ex-Colegiate Church of Santa María La Mayor