Searching for the Holy Grail

VALENCIA, Spain — Indiana Jones went looking for it, so did the Monty Python troupe, not to mention a cast of serious archaeologists and academics. But no one, it seems, knows the whereabouts of the Holy Grail — the chalice Jesus used to serve wine at the Last Supper.

With the approach of Easter, some Christians may again ponder whether it will ever be found.

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At one time or another, Jerusalem, Genoa — and even the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York — have all claimed to have the authentic vessel. But American author, Janice Bennett believes the real chalice resides in Spain.

“Only the Holy Chalice of Valencia ... fits St. Jerome’s description of the cup used by Christ,” Bennett writes in her book, St. Laurence and the Holy Grail: The Story of the Holy Chalice of Valencia.

For most of the last 500 years, the chalice has been located in the city’s Cathedral where it is revered by the faithful and admired by tourists. Made of agate and mounted on a stem with two curved handles, it measures about 17 cm high and sits in a glass case in a side chapel.

Archaeologists believe it was produced in Palestine between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD.

It’s certainly a well travelled relic. Local guide Eva Crespo says the chalice arrived in Spain in the 3rd century, was hidden during the Muslim occupation, re-emerged in a monastery in Huesca, Spain, was passed down through several Spanish kings until it ended up in the hands of Alfonso the Magnanimous, who brought the cup to Valencia in the 15th century. It has remained in the city’s Cathedral ever since, except for two occasions when it was removed for safety reasons during the country’s Civil War in the 1930s.

It’s impossible to know if Valencia has the original chalice, Crespo says, because there are no ancient texts that could confirm its authenticity. Although a chalice that resembles the one held by Valencia does appear in many centuries-old paintings including one by 16th century artist Juan Juanes.

“It’s a question of faith. Do you believe it’s real or not?” Crespo asks.

“Nowadays, this place is much more important because many, many young people want to come here to get married (because of that chalice),” she explains.

“It’s a source of pride for them. There’s a queue for almost two years to get married here, imagine that!”

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