Seville Cathedral

Artistic Introduction

The Seville Cathedral is considered nowadays as one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Architecture, and it is the third-largest church in Christendom. It maintains the Patio de las Abluciones (Courtyard of the Ablutions), the Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Pardon) and the Giralda from the Almohad period.

This cathedral has a rectangular floor. Its dimensions are 116 meters length by 76 meters wide. It has five naves, and is covered by seventy ogive vaults. On the side naves are distributed some chapels with rampants where there are several paintings of Spanish authors; nevertheless this cathedral is famous for having one of the richest artistic treasures of our country, with more than 550 pieces. Work of arts of authors such as Murillo, Valdés Leal, Goya or Ribera.

The Capilla Mayor (Major Chapel) is from the XVI Century. It was built in 1504 following Alonso Rodríguez´ s design. There, you can find the biggest altarpiece in the Christendom, a masterpiece that took almost a century to be made, between the XV Century and the XVI Century. In it, scenes of the life of Christ and the Virgin are represented. Its main authors were Pierre Dancart and the brothers Jorge and Alejo Fernández.

The Tomb of Christopher Colombus, from the year 1891, is located near the Capilla Mayor and it was created by Arturo Mélida. The Knights that carry the coffin represent the four kingdoms of Spain: Castilla, León, Navarra, and Aragón.

Capilla Real (Royal Chapel): it was planned by Martín de Gainza in 1541 and finished by José Roldán in 1770 to be used as a pantheon. It occupies the centre of the apse of the Church. It is important due to its huge Plateresque vault created by Hernán Ruiz el Joven. In one of the vaulted niches of the main altarpiece and under a silver canopy is located the Virgen de los Reyes (Kings´ Virgin), who is the patron saint of the city.

Sacristia de los Cálices (The Main Sacristy): It was designed by Don Diego de Riaño in 1529. Its art gallery has pieces of Alejo Fernández such as El abrazo de San Joaquin a Santa Ana (Saint Joaquin gives a hug to Saint Ana), La Virgen con el Niño (The Virgin with the Child) by Zubarán, Las Santas Junta y Rufina (The Saints Junta and Rufina) by Goya, La Adoración de los Reyes (Kings´ Adoration) by Jordanes in 1603, and finally the crucifix of the Cristo de la Clemencia, a sculpture, which is famous due to its beauty and serenity, is considered as a masterpiece of the Spanish Barroque sculpture.

Altar de la Concepción (Concepcion´ s altar): Better known as the altar of the “Gamba”, due to the altarpiece composed by eight boards. It was created by Luis de Vargas in 1561, and represents Christ´ s Genealogy.

Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Pardon): It is the main entrance to the Patio de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Courtyard). It has the form of a pointed horseshoe arch. The doors are made of bronze.

Patio de los Naranjos: It is the oratory of the old mosque, with pointed horseshoe arches supported by pillars. It has been reformed several times.

The Giralda Tower: It is the old minaret of the mosque. It has been decorated with sebka panels and polilobed horseshoe arches. In a certain Christian period, it is crowned with Renaissance windows and the monumental sculpture of the Fe Victoriosa (Victorious Faith) by Luis de Vargas, better known as the Giraldillo, is placed.

Seville Cathedral

Artistic Introduction

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