The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, commonly known as the Seville Cathedral, is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church in total area. Constructed between 1401 and 1506, it was built on the site of the 12th-century Almohad Mosque to demonstrate the city's wealth and power following the Reconquista.
The structure incorporates the Giralda, a former minaret converted into a bell tower, and features a vast interior with five naves and numerous side chapels. It serves as the final resting place for several historical figures, most notably Christopher Columbus, whose tomb is housed within the cathedral's transept.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Stone, Marble, Gold leaf
- Civilization
- Castilian
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible via designated entrances
- Date(s)
- 1401-1506
- Condition
- Active place of worship and museum
- Original Function
- Catholic Cathedral
- Key Figures
- Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand III of Castile, Alonso Cano
Almohad Origins
1172-1248The site originally housed the Great Mosque of Seville, commissioned by the Almohad Caliphate. The Giralda tower was completed in 1198 as a minaret, serving as the architectural foundation for the later Christian structure.
Gothic Construction
1401-1506Following the Reconquista, the mosque was repurposed as a church before being demolished to make way for the current Gothic cathedral. The project was intended to be so grand that the builders famously declared, 'Let us build a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it finished will think we are mad.'
Renaissance Additions
16th centuryThe cathedral underwent significant interior modifications during the Renaissance, including the addition of the Royal Chapel and the completion of the main altarpiece, which remains one of the largest and most complex in Christendom.
Modern Preservation
19th century - presentThe cathedral has undergone extensive restoration efforts to preserve its structural integrity, particularly following the 1755 Lisbon earthquake which caused damage to the Giralda. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.