The Cathedral of
Seville, also known as the Catedral de
Sevilla by the residents of Spain, is known as the third largest church and
the largest Gothic building in Europe.
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| Catedral de Sevilla as seen from a distance. |
The cathedral was built on the
site of the great Aljama mosque, built in the late 12th century by
the Almohads, the
ruling Moorish dynasty. Seville’s cathedral was built to demonstrate the city’s
power and wealth after the Reconquista.
Construction of the cathedral lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506; nevertheless, the
result is an astonishing large building that breaks several size records,
surpassing the volume of St.
Paul’s Cathedral in London and St.
Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Today, the only remains of the mosque preserved
were the Moorish entrance court (Patio de los Naranjos) and the Giralda,
orinigally a minaret, converted into a bell tower.
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| Patio de los Naranjos - the preserved entrance from the former Aljama mosque. |
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| The Giralda - the preserved minaret from the former Aljama mosque. Now serves as a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville. |
During the planning stages of the cathedral, it is said that one of the church elders and planners stated: “Hagamos una iglesia tan hermosa y tan grandiosa que los que la vieran labrada no tengan por locos.” (Translation: Let us build a church so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it finished will think we are mad). Inspired by this goal, the canons of Seville abandoned all but a survival level of their incomes to fund the construction.2
The design of the cathedral was allegedly designed by the French master architect, Juan de Castillo. His design covers an area of 124,000 square feet and rising approximately 138 feet above the ground. Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance architecture amplified throughout, tell the story, not only of the cathedral, but of Seville itself.
Upon entering the huge interior of the cathedral, the first feature to catch the visitor’s eye is the lavishly decorated large central nave. The interior is immensely decorated with gold, but still holds a sense of overall simplicity and restraint in decoration. In the center is a great box-like structure of the choir, which opens onto the Capilla Mayor (Major Chapel) which is dominated by an incredible Gothic ratablo (a votive offering made in the form of a religious picture typically portraying Christian saints, painted on a panel, and hung in a church or chapel). This astonishing masterpiece of the cathedral was all the works of a single craftsman – Fleming Pieter Dancart. He composed 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ carved into wood and covered it in overwhelming amounts of gold. This altarpiece is now considered the largest and richest altarpiece in the world.1 Other notable works of art in the cathedral include 15th-century stained-glass windows and the iron screens closing off the chapels.
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| Fleming Pieter Dancer's Gothic retalbo featuring 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ, covered in gold. |
The northeast
corner of the cathedral contains the domed Capilla
Real (Royal Chapel). The Royal Chapel was original built on the site of
the original royal burial chapel, therefore it holds the body of Fernando
III (El Santo) in a rich, silver shrine. The tombs alongside his are those
belonging to his wife, Beatrice of Swabia, and his son, Alfonso the Wise.1
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| Floor plan of the Seville Cathedral. |
Essentially, the Gothic style of architecture governed this cathedral with common Gothic characteristics such as pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, light and airy interiors, and emphasis upon the decorative style and the ornate are seen throughout the structure. Today, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as Seville Cathedral, is the third-largest church known, but the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.
1 "Seville Cathedral." Sacred
Destinations. Sacred Destinations, n.d. Web.
2 Quintero, Josephine. "An Insiders Guide to Seville
Cathedral | Andalucia.com." Andalucia. Andalucia, n.d. Web.
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