Cathedral of Granada
The Cathedral of Granada, officially known as the Holy and Apostolic Metropolitan Cathedral Church Basilica of the Incarnation of Granada, is the most important temple in the city. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Granada and is considered the crowning work of the Spanish Renaissance in Andalusia.
The origin of the cathedral is strongly linked to the reconquest and the Renaissance period. That is why it was built on the foundations of an old mosque, and an important artistic and architectural movement was formed around it.
The construction of the temple involved a significant amount of work that began in 1506. It was not until the beginning of the 18th century that its construction was finally completed, under the direction of Francisco Hurtado Izquierdo. For this reason, the temple – though unmistakably Renaissance – presents many details that combine Gothic and Baroque styles.
Among its many interesting details are its Baroque façade, of which the semicircular arches are part of its Renaissance structure, and the incredible magnificence of its dimensions as a church – itself a declaration of principles regarding the importance of the reconquest.
In addition to its enormous artistic and heritage wealth, the Cathedral of Granada houses a large number of chapels, including the Main Chapel, the Chapel of the Virgin of the Pillar and especially the Royal Chapel, in Gothic style, which forms a special annex to the cathedral.
The importance of the Royal Chapel lies in the fact that it is the place where the remains of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Catholic Monarchs, rest. It is also the resting place of Joanna I of Castile and Philip the Fair. For this reason, it is the largest chapel in the temple and the most visited in the city.
The origin of the cathedral is strongly linked to the reconquest and the Renaissance period. That is why it was built on the foundations of an old mosque, and an important artistic and architectural movement was formed around it.
The construction of the temple involved a significant amount of work that began in 1506. It was not until the beginning of the 18th century that its construction was finally completed, under the direction of Francisco Hurtado Izquierdo. For this reason, the temple – though unmistakably Renaissance – presents many details that combine Gothic and Baroque styles.
Among its many interesting details are its Baroque façade, of which the semicircular arches are part of its Renaissance structure, and the incredible magnificence of its dimensions as a church – itself a declaration of principles regarding the importance of the reconquest.
In addition to its enormous artistic and heritage wealth, the Cathedral of Granada houses a large number of chapels, including the Main Chapel, the Chapel of the Virgin of the Pillar and especially the Royal Chapel, in Gothic style, which forms a special annex to the cathedral.
The importance of the Royal Chapel lies in the fact that it is the place where the remains of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Catholic Monarchs, rest. It is also the resting place of Joanna I of Castile and Philip the Fair. For this reason, it is the largest chapel in the temple and the most visited in the city.
Location
What to see in Granada
