Its Great to Visit the Sacred Seville Cathedral Famous for its Superlative Features
Largest Sacred Sites and Artifacts | June 8, 2010What is so exciting about the Cathedral of Seville (Catedral de Sevilla) is that it the largest Gothic church in the continent of Europe, boasts the longest vane in Spain, and holds the largest and richest altarpiece on the planet. Not only this, but it ranks third in Europe among the largest Gothic buildings. The great edifice was built to mark the wealth and supremacy after the Reconquest and that it was later designated as a UNESCO Heritage site.
Attractions
I entered the cathedral through the Puerta de San Cristóbal from the south side that holds the burial chamber of Christopher Columbus who was originally buried in the cathedral of Havana. A monumental tomb acting as the Christopher’s final resting place was built herein in the Late Romantic style. Strangely, it is held upwards via the four big symbolic portrayals signifying the kingdoms of Leon, Castile, Aragon, and Navarra. However, a tour guide standing nearby said that the genuineness of the remains in Columbus’ tomb is undergoing DNA tests.
The huge church’s central nave is as high as 42 m, but is empty and its four aisles at the side are amazing. The flanking chapels are also big enough such that it seems that they can encompass a church. Though I could see gold everywhere, I could feel a general simplicity in its embellishment.
In the center, you will see a box-like choir that has ornate stalls belonging to the 15th century, which leads to the Capilla Mayor ruled by an outstanding masterpiece of Gothic retablo (altarpiece). The 45 episodes depicting the life of Christ carved in wood and decorated with gold is simply alluring. Some more wonders in the church are the stained glass windows of the 15th century and the iron screens (rejas) off the chapels.
Next, I saw the extravagant Sacristia Mayor that is the home of the treasury. What I could see on the exhibit were the silver reliquaries and monstrances; art pieces of Goya, Murillo, and Zurbaran; and a few skulls. What was most worthy was the keys to Fernando given by the Jewish and Moorish folk while giving the city. Here, an Arabic script on the metal reads: “May Allah render eternal the dominion of Islam in this city.”
Then, I went ahead towards the northeast corner that is the home of the domed Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) that originally hold the Royal Burial Chapel. However, do not expect it to be open anytime and on any day, which is uncertain. When I went, it was open wherein I could see the silver shrine holding the body of Fernando III (El Santo). On its sides, there are crypts of his wife, Beatrice of Swabia, and his son, Alfonso.
Built on the location of a previous mosque, the church has generously maintained the two parts of the mosque namely, the Moorish entrance court (Patio de los Naranjos) and the La Giralda – actually a Moorish minaret and now altered to be a bell tower. This bell tower is to the left of the Capilla Real. Do not miss the joy of climbing this tower and reach the top where the bell is the cathedral’s bell.
Admission and Timings
- Jul-Aug: Mon-Sat 9:30 am – 4:30 pm; Sun 2:30 – 6:30 pm
- Sep-Jun: Mon-Sat 11 am – 5:30 pm; Sun 2:30 – 6:30 pm
The last entry is before 30 min. The admission fee along with the bell tower climb is €8 for adults, €2 for students under 26, and is free for all under 11. On Sundays, there is no fee.
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The Cathedral of Seville is a religious building in Seville, Andalusia, southern Spain: it is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world.
At the time of its completion in the 16th century, it supplanted the Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world.
Previously, the Hagia Sophia had held the title for more than a thousand years. The cathedral also serves as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.