The cathedral of Seville is one of the most precious monuments we have in our city. For this reason, in LOCK & enjoy! we will explain the history of the cathedral of Seville, its curiosities and some frequently asked questions that may be of interest to you to encourage you to visit it.
Did you know that we have Lockers in Seville so you can leave your backpack while you get to know the city? We are located at:
- Zaragoza Street, 34.
- 9 Teniente Borges Street.
- Águilas Street, 27.
- Pablo Iglesias Avenue, 7.
- 95 Feria Street.
Historical stages
The following is a brief review of the most important historical moments in the construction of Seville’s cathedral. construction of the cathedral of Seville.
XII Century
On the same site where the cathedral is located there was a mosque, however, Ferdinand II Christianized it once he took the city in the reconquest of Seville. However, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. For this reason, Charles V ordered the construction of a cathedral in the same place.
XV Century
The exact moment when the works began is still unknown, the great majority of historians agree that it was in 1434. Until it was finished, various authors and masters were the ones who configured the most important lines of action.
Sixteenth century and subsequent centuries
In 1506 the works were finished, although there were no celebrations, since two weeks before Philip I of Castile died. The result was one of the largest Gothic temples in the world due to its enormous dimensions and rigorous design.
From this moment on, the cathedral of Seville underwent a series of modifications that are worth mentioning:
- Renaissance. In 1528 the Main Sacristy, the Chapter House and the Royal Chapel were built and, in addition, the Sacristy of the Chalices and the Chapels of Alabaster were completed.
- Baroque. Although the Church of the Sagrario is independent of the cathedral, it is annexed, since it communicates with it. Construction began in 1618 and ended in 1758.
- Neo-Gothic. From 1825 to 1928 a series of works that had been left unfinished were completed. For example, the doors of the Concepción, San Cristóbal or the Prince. In addition, the first restoration works were also carried out.
XXI Century
One of the main changes undertaken in recent years was the pedestrianization of Avenida de la Constitución, the main direct access road to the city center. The reason was that black crusts were detected on certain walls and stones as a consequence of the intense pollution caused by the fumes from the cars that circulated along the avenue.
On the other hand, restoration work has continued, more specifically on the almost 150 meters of the façade. Numerous elements that are part of this architectural ensemble, such as the pinnacles or the gargoyles, have also been repaired.
And finally, in 2011, the main altarpiece was restored, a work that lasted a total of 30 months.
Curiosities
After centuries of history, the curiosities surrounding this temple are numerous. On LOCK & enjoy! we have selected the most original and some rather unknown to the vast majority of tourists.
Do you know that it is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world? It is 116 meters long and 76 meters wide. On the other hand, it is the third largest in the world in general terms, only surpassed by St. Paul’s in London and the famous St. Peter’s in the Vatican. Another curious fact that we have discovered is that it is the only cathedral in the world that does not have a Latin cross and its floor plan is square.
The cathedral of Seville is also known for being the burial place of very illustrious historical figures. The royal pantheon is located in the Royal Chapel and, therefore, in a very prominent place. The monarchs Fernando III of Castile, Alfonso X of Castile and Pedro I of Castile rest in this temple, as well as their wives. In spite of the misfortune that befell Christopher Columbus in the last years of his life, his tomb is also located here.
Find the lizard!
We recommend that on your visit you look at the ceiling, since there is a lizard hanging. Legend has it that this living animal arrived in the city in the middle of the 13th century. It was part of a retinue sent by the Sultan of Egypt to convince the monarch (Alfonso X the Wise) to arrange a marriage between the firstborn of the former and one of the king’s daughters. However, the king refused due to religious differences. As a result of this fact, when the animal died it was stuffed and hung in the area of the Plaza de los Naranjos, although it was eventually replaced by a wooden one.
We would also like to point out that the Sevillian cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. UNESCO in 1987, making it one of the hallmarks of both Seville and Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
When visiting monuments of this type, there are always frequent questions that we answer below so that you can plan your visit much better.
What are the visiting hours? It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Sundays, however, the visiting hours are reduced, starting at 12:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.
Price? You have all kinds of tickets, as there are general visits and other more special or more focused on other areas. For example, the one that includes a visit to the temple and the Giralda; the general rate is 12 €.
With audio guide? We recommend having a support to help you in your visit to have a basic notion about each space. In this case, the price of the tickets increases, although it is well worth it.
Get to know Seville! The cathedral is a must-see if you are traveling in the city, and even if you only have 1 day. Book a Luggage storage in Seville with us and enjoy the city while we take care of your belongings. with us and enjoy the city while we take care of your belongings, we are waiting for you!
