In southern Spain, religious sentiment is more intense than in other parts of the country. This devotion served as the driving force behind the construction of grand temples throughout the region. In this article, we present what many consider to be the best cathedrals in Andalusia—places of pilgrimage for the faithful and authentic centers of art spanning a wide variety of styles.
Seville, Much More Than Its Giralda
The Cathedral of Seville is undoubtedly one of the finest cathedrals in Andalusia, and indeed in all of Spain. This is not only due to its magnificent bell tower, the Giralda—originally the minaret of a mosque—but also because of the richness and opulence of the rest of the temple. In this structure, which combines Almohad, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, visitors can explore fascinating sites such as the tombs of Christopher Columbus and Kings Saint Ferdinand and Alfonso X the Wise, an exuberant main altarpiece, and numerous chapels housing relics and sculptures of great local devotion.
Córdoba, a Crossroads of Cultures
Considering this temple as one of the best cathedrals in Andalusia is slightly misleading: in addition to being a cathedral, it is a mosque! Although it is no longer used for Muslim worship, its interior remains evocative: its majestic forest of columns and Caliphal arches belong to the prayer hall and represent one of the most striking images for tourism in the region. Furthermore, it preserves many other elements of the original temple. However, after the Reconquista, it passed into Christian hands, who added their own mark with elements of different styles, particularly Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
Granada and Its Royal Chapel
Although it is not among the oldest—as the temple’s origins date back ‘only’ to the 16th century—it is certainly one of the most beautiful and symbolic cathedrals in Andalusia. Beyond the monumental contributions of artists such as Diego de Siloé or Alonso Cano, this building is famous among Spaniards for housing the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, Joanna I of Castile (known as ‘the Mad’) and her husband Philip I the Handsome. They are located in the Royal Chapel, which also houses important works by Flemish and Italian artists.
Jaén, a Jewel of the Renaissance
The Cathedral of Jaén is likely the primary tourist attraction of this provincial capital. It is well-deserved: it is one of the most outstanding works of the Spanish Renaissance, based on a project by Andrés de Vandelvira. Its rich interior houses interesting chapels, such as the Main Chapel, which contains the relic of the Holy Face: the veil of Veronica which, according to belief, is imprinted with the face of Jesus.
Other cathedrals in Andalusia
We have highlighted four cathedrals in Andalusia, but there are actually many others; as there are more dioceses than provinces, the number of cathedral temples totals eleven. Special mention should be made of the cathedral in Cádiz, a reflection of the city’s prosperity from its trade with the New World, and that of its neighbor, Jerez.
The cathedral in Málaga houses world-class artistic works, such as the choir stalls by Pedro de Mena, while the one in Almería stands out for its fortress-like character. Other consistently interesting sites such as the cathedrals of Guadix and Huelva can also be added to this list.
