Christian Almería

The Cathedral

The Cathedral Square was designed in the XIX Century and has undergone remodelling several times, the last one in the year 2000. The XVI Century Façade of the Cathedral-fortress with its Renaissance Portal presides the Square.             

The construction of the Cathedral began in 1524, after the 1522 earthquake destroyed the first Cathedral, situated on the site of the Main Mosque in the Medina.   The prime characteristic of the Temple lies on the fact that it is a Cathedral-fortress; it had religious and defensive functions to protect the population from barbary pirates.  The Main Façade of the Cathedral denotes its defensive characteristic: strong walls and counterforts.  The decoration lies mainly on the Portal: the coat of arms of Charles I of Spain and V of Germany and the Bishop founder of the Cathedral, Fray Diego Fernandez de Villalan. The lateral Portal, “Los Perdones” on Velazquez street, is also of Renaissance style although the decoration is not as rich.

The interior is of Gothic style with a rectangular nave; The Sacristan and the masonry work of the Choir are of Renaissance style from the artist Juan de Orea. The Retro-choir and the Cloister are XVIII Century Neoclassic.  The Cloister is the best example of a Neoclassical cloister in Spain. The High Altar, modified in the XVII Century, is presided by a Tabernacle  decorated as a retable with scenes of the life of the Virgen Mary and there are two antique XVI engravings of La Anunciacion and el Calvario   de Cristo (the Annunciation and the Torment of Christ) in the middle of the ensemble. The most important chapels are situated behind the High Altar in the Girola: San Indalecio, El Cristo de la Escucha (Christ who listens) and la Virgen de la Piedad (Our Lady of Pity).

In the Cathedral Square opposite the Cathedral stands the XIX Century Episcopal Palace. The Emblem of the City “Sol de Portocarrero” is on the corner of one of the Cathedral is towers at Cubo Street which belongs to the Chapel Santo Cristo de la Escucha.      

Address: Catedral Square, 04001 Almeria.

Tel.: 950 232 600.

Open: Monday to Friday 10h to 14h and 16h to 18h.

MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED