Seville cathedral is considered to be the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. It has truly breath-taking proportions and no less fascinating history.
How did Seville Cathedral Start?
Cathedral of Seville was first constructed as a mosque in the 12th century. This is because at that time Seville, like all Andalusia, was a seat of Muslim rulers for a few hundred years.
As you approach the cathedral, you’ll notice the main tell-tale sign of this Moorish history – the Giralda, a former minaret tower. After the Catholic Reconquista the tower was converted to the cathedral bell tower.
The other remnant from Cathedral’s Moorish past is the Patio de los Naranjos, the orange tree courtyard. Today the tired visitor stretches their legs here before tackling the next fascinating ‘must-see’ location.
The Seville cathedral seems to be a monument to the power and wealth of the Catholic church, its rulers and its long history.
Seville Cathedral Facade.
As you queue to enter Seville cathedral, lift up your eyes and admire the most intricate ornaments adorning the façade of the cathedral.
The décor reminds me of delicate Spanish lace that local women used to adorn their heads and dresses with.
What to Expect Inside Seville Cathedral?
Inside, apart from the enormous size of this church, you’ll immediately notice the intricate ceiling décor…
…. a 15-16th century luxurious high alter…
… as well as many other smaller alters, paintings and statues from various centuries dotted around the church.
The 18th century organ is immense and one can only imagine how gloriously it sounds when an organist touches its keys.
Did you know that the Cathedral of Seville is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus?
His tomb is a truly eye-catching work of art by a 19th-century artist Arturo Melida. So if you are a history buff, this tomb alone is a good reason to explore the cathedral.
When visiting various countries in Europe, the temptation is to skip all those churches and cathedrals since after a while they all start looking alike.
But I’d argue that these grand buildings are the ones that preserve a lot of local history. They display not only the might of religious rulers, but also the skill of the craftsmen, local and national politics, people of local significance and some intriguing stories.
The best way to visit the Cathedral is by taking a guided tour. Here’s one I found that’ll take you not only to the Cathedral, but also Giralda Tower and the Alcazar – great value for money!
So when you are next in Seville, visit the Cathedral!
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Hi, I am Vytenė, a travel blogger originally from Lithuania. Highlighting here European destinations worth exploring. You don’t have to go far to have the time of your life!
