The largest cathedrals in Spain

largest cathedrals in Spain They are a consummate representation of The wonderful religious architecture of our countryThroughout its territory we find impressive churches, convents and monasteries that respond to different architectural styles.

If we talk about cathedrals, moreover, several of these styles overlap in them. For example, in the cathedral Seville, which we will see, include, among others, Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque features. In this sense, these temples also synthesize the different artistic currents that have occurred in Europe from the Middle Ages. Now, without further ado, we are going to present to you the largest cathedrals in Spain.

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar

With its 130 meters in length and almost seventy in width, it is the largest cathedral in SpainIts construction, as we see it today, dates back to the 17th century, but it was built on the remains of an old Gothic-Mudejar temple. It owes its name to a jasper pillar or column that, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary left to the apostle Santiago as proof of having appeared to him in this place.

In addition to its size, the temple stands out for its beauty. Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical elements. It is distributed in three naves covered with barrel vaults between which domes and plate vaults are interspersed. Most of the interior is plastered with stucco and, in the central nave is the main altar with the altarpiece of the Assumption, a work in polychrome alabaster with a wooden dust cover created by Damien Forment.

Also, under the other two domes of this nave are the Holy Chapel of the Virgin of Pilar and the choir and organ. All of this comes from the previous church. But the chapel of the Virgin is not the only one that the temple has. Also noteworthy are those dedicated to San Juan Bautista, in Bolognese late Baroque style; the one Santa Ana, whose altarpiece is the work of Antonio Palao and Marco; that of Rosario, with Renaissance carvings of Roland of Moses or of San Lorenzo, whose altar was designed by Ventura Rodríguez. Regarding the paintings that adorn the interior of the temple, they are the work of Antonio Gonzalez Velazquez, brothers Ramón and Francisco Bayeu and a young man Francisco de Goya.

As for the exterior, the basilica stands out, as we said, for its majesty. The towers, added mostly in the mid-twentieth century, reach 98 meters in height. In addition, it has eleven roofed domes with tiles of different colors and the porticos are framed with pediments.

San Antolín de Palencia, a great unknown among the largest cathedrals in Spain

If we were asked which are the largest cathedrals in Spain, few of us would include the one in Palencia. It is not as well known as the one in Burgos, the one in Seville or the one in Pilar (in fact, it is also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption). «The Beautiful Unknown»). However, with its 130 metres in length, 50 in width and 43 in height at the apse, it is the second largest in our country.

As with other temples of this type, it is mostly gothic, but it preserves elements of another previous Romanesque construction and even from the Visigoth period. Its oldest part, the Crypt of San Antolin, dates back to the 7th century. It also has Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical decorative features. On the outside, it is a construction austere whose most prominent element is tower 55 meters long, which previously had a military character. Another peculiarity is that it has double cruise, although none of them stand out in their Latin cross plan.

Regarding the interior, it contrasts with the sobriety of its external appearance. The decoration is Gothic with flamboyant elements, but, above all, the most notable elements are: Its Renaissance, Plateresque and Baroque chapels and altarpiecesIn the Gospel nave, you can see the tombs of the dean Rodrigo Enriquez and the Abbot of Husillos, as well as a gilded and polychrome altarpiece attributed to Alonso de Berruguete (others attribute it to Juan de Villoldo).

On the Epistle nave you have the tomb of the Archdeacon of Campos, a large stone altarpiece attributed to Diego of Siloam and paintings of John of Ruesga. As for the chapels, we recommend that you pay special attention, in addition to the aforementioned Crypt of San Antolín, to that of the Tabernacle, which houses the remains of Queen Lady Magpie; The Greater, with sculptures of Gregory Fernandez and tapestries from Brussels; the one from Our Lady of the White, with alabaster carving; the one of the Monument, with its blue-hued stained glass windows, and that of the Kings, with its exquisite Plateresque plasterwork.

Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo

With its 120 meters in length and 59 in width, Toledo is the third largest cathedral in Spain. Its construction, commissioned by King Ferdinand III of Castile, began in 1226 and continued until the XNUMXth century. Consequently, although it is a Gothic masterpiece, it also features other architectural styles.

In fact, it is considered one of the best examples of French Gothic adapted to Spanish taste. The main facade is the one facing west, located in the Town Hall square, where the archiepiscopal palace. In it you have several doors, among which stands out That of Forgiveness, dating from the 15th century and featuring magnificent carved archivolts.

For its part, the famous Clock Gate It is located on the north facade and is the oldest. However, that of the Lions It is the last one to be built and stands out for its spectacular Hispano-Flemish statuary ensemble. As for the imposing tower, its construction dates back to 1425 and is due to the architect Alvar Martinez, who also intervened in many other parts of the temple. Although it is also Gothic, it has some Mudejar decoration.

No less spectacular is the interior of the Toledo Cathedral. Its main chapels are located around the head of the temple, according to the original project of Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Archbishop of Toledo who commissioned their construction. Some of them have disappeared, but you can still visit them those of Santa Ana and San Gil among the minors and those of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Leocadia, Saint Lucia and the Old Kings among the majors.

However, the most spectacular is the Capilla Mayor, a work of art in itself, starting with its stone railing. It also houses the burial sites of Sancho III y Sancho IV of Castile. But it also has extensive ornamental decoration with statues such as the famous one of Shepherd of Las Navas next to those of Alfonso VII of Leon and other characters.

Cathedral of Sevilla

Not only is it among the largest cathedrals in Spain, but it is also the largest in the world by surface area. This was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1988. Its dimensions are 116 meters long by 76 meters wide. In addition, like some of the previous ones, it is Heritage, in this case together with the Archivo de Indias and Real Alcazar.

La Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See and of the Assumption It is in the Gothic style, although, as we said before, it also has Almohad, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque elements. Its construction began at the beginning of the 15th century and the remains of an old mosque were used for it.

In fact, one of its most famous elements, the Giralda, was the minaret of that one. Also the well-known Courtyard of the Orange trees It was the ablutions hall for the Arab faithful. Also, on the outside of the Seville Cathedral there are doors such as those of Baptism, that of the Assumption, that of Saint Christopher, that of the Tabernacle or that of Bells.

As for the interior of the temple, it consists of five naves with an apse without an ambulatory at the head. In the central one, there are the choir and the main chapel. The first consists of 127 seats made of marquetry and with reliefs depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament. The second houses the so-called largest altarpiece in Christianity, a marvel created by the Flemish artist Pedro Dancart in 1481.

You also have beautiful chapels in the side naves. Among them, there are the Alabaster one (because it is made of that material); that of the Immaculate, with a size of Martinez Montanes; The of San Pedro, where the bishop's mausoleum is located Diego de Deza and which has paintings of Zurbaran, the realwhere kings are buried Alfonso X y Peter I along with other characters of lineage.

The New Cathedral of Salamanca, fifth among the largest cathedrals in Spain

We end our tour of the largest cathedrals in Spain in the one known as the New Cathedral of Salamanca. In this case, it is 100 meters long. But, in addition, Its tower is the highest among this type of temple., as it measures 110 metres, which is just slightly higher than the Giralda in Seville.

La Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Therefore, it responds to several styles, mainly to late Gothic, Renaissance and BaroqueIts construction was carried out with plans drawn up by the Gil de Hontañón familyHowever, other architects such as Juan Ribero de Rada and Joaquín de Churriguera also participated.

The temple is distributed in a similar way to the Seville one we have just seen. It consists of three naves, plus two lateral ones with chapels. Among these, the most notable is the biggest, but also those of a niche type, due to Juan Gil de Hontanon y John of Alava.

Even more beautiful are the Chapels of Solitude, with altarpiece of Joaquin de Churriguera; the one the Sorrows, with a neoclassical altarpiece John of Sagarvinaga o the golden, with its spectacular ironwork. We cannot forget the choir, also made by Churriguera, nor of the two organs, one Renaissance from the 16th century and the other Baroque from the 18th century.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of The largest cathedrals in Spain. After those we have seen, come those of Santiago de Compostela, with 100 meters in length and 70 in width; the one The Assumption of Jaén, with identical dimensions, and the one from Barcelona, 90 meters long by 40 meters wide. Come and visit these beautiful temples.