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Seville Cathedral

Coordinates: 37°23′9″N 5°59′35″W / 37.38583°N 5.99306°W / 37.38583; -5.99306
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Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (or Seat, as in the Bishop's office)
Catedral de Santa María de la Sede Template:Es icon
View of the southeastern side of the Cathedral
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMetropolitan cathedral
LeadershipArchbishop Juan Asenjo Pelegrina
Year consecrated1507
Location
LocationSeville, Andalusia, Spain
Geographic coordinates37°23′9″N 5°59′35″W / 37.38583°N 5.99306°W / 37.38583; -5.99306
Architecture
Architect(s)Alonso Martínez, Pedro Dancart, Carles Galtés de Ruan, Alonso Rodríguez
TypeChurch
StyleGothic
Groundbreaking1401
Completed1528
Specifications
Length135 metres (443 ft)
Width100 metres (330 ft)
Width (nave)15 metres (49 ft)
Height (max)42 metres (138 ft)
Spire(s)1
Spire height105 metres (344 ft)
Official name: Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
TypeCultural
Criteriai, ii, iii, vi
Designated1987 (11th session)
Reference no.383
State Party Spain
RegionEurope and North America
Official name: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede de Sevilla
TypeReal property
CriteriaMonument
Designated29 December 1928
Reference no.(R.I.) - 51 - 0000329 - 00000
Website
www.catedraldesevilla.es

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), better known as Seville Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville (Andalusia, Spain). It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world.[1]

After its completion in the early 16th century, Seville Cathedral supplanted Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world, a title the Byzantine church had held for nearly a thousand years. The cathedral also serves as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.[2] The Archbishop's Palace is located on the northeastern side of the cathedral.

Description

The Sacristía Mayor dome.

The cathedral was built to demonstrate Seville's wealth, as it had become a major trading center in the years after the Reconquista in 1248. In July 1401 it was decided to build a new cathedral, since the ancient Muslim mosque was in bad shape after a 1356 earthquake. According to the oral tradition of Seville, the decision of members of the chapter was: "Let a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it built will think we were mad". According to the minutes of that day, the new church should be: "a work so good, like no other." Construction began in 1402; it continued until 1506. Church workers gave half their salaries to pay for architects, builders and other expenses.[3]

Five years after construction ended, in 1511, the dome collapsed and work on the cathedral re-commenced. The dome again collapsed in 1888, and work was still being performed on the dome until at least 1903.[3] The 1888 collapse occurred due to an earthquake and resulted in the destruction of "every precious object below" the dome at that time.[4]

The interior has the longest nave in Spain. The central nave rises to a height of 42 meters and is lavishly decorated with a large quantity of gilding. In the main body of the cathedral, the only feature that stands out is the great boxlike choir loft, which fills the central portion of the nave. It is also dominated by a vast Gothic retablo of carved scenes from the life of Christ. The altarpiece was the lifetime work of a single craftsman, Pierre Dancart.

The builders used some columns and elements from the mosque, and most famously the Giralda, a minaret converted into a bell tower. The Giralda is the city's most famous symbol. Its square base is 13.61 metres and a height of 105 metres. It was built as a minaret of the old mosque, although the bell tower and spire top, is Renaissance.

Interior of the cathedral

Giralda

Main article: Giralda
La Giralda

The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville. Its height is 343 feets. Its square base is 23 feets above sea level and is 44 feet long per side. It was built to resemble the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech (Morocco), although the top section of the bell tower is from the Renaissance. The work began in 1184 under the direction of architect Ben Ahmad Baso for the ancient mosque. According to the chronicler Ibn Sahib al-Salah, the works were completed on March 10 of 1198, with the placement of four gilt bronze balls in the top section of the tower. After a big earthquake in 1365, the spheres were missing. In the 16th century the belfry was added by the architect Hernán Ruiz and the statue on, el "Giraldillo", was installed in 1568 representing the triumph of the Christian faith.

Doors

The Seville Cathedral has fifteen doors on its four facades. The major doors are:

West facade

Door of Baptism, on the left, was built in the 15th century and is decorated with the baptism of Jesus and was created by the workshop of Lorenzo Mercadante of Britain. It is of gothic style with a pointed archivolt decorated with tracery. There are also sculptures of the bishops of Seville, Saint Leando and Saint Isidore, Saint Justa and Saint Rufina, works of Lorenzo Mecadante and a series of angels and propheets from the artisan Pedro Millán.

Main Door or Door of Assumption, in the center, finished in the 19th century when Cardinal Cienfuegos y Jovellanos ordered sculptures of the Apostles by the artist Ricardo Bellver between 1877 and 1898.

Door of Saint Michael or Door of the Birth, because of its representation of the birth of Jesus. It was built in the 15th century and is decorated with terracotta sculptures of Saint Laureano, Saint Hermengildo and the Four Evangelists. Today, this door is used by the processions of Holy Week.

South facade

Door of Saint Cristobal or Door of the Prince (1887-1895), is the same as the south transept, was designed by Adolfo Fernandez Casanova and completed in 1917, but his first design was made by the architect Demetrio de los Rios in 1866. Currently, in front of this gate, lies a replica of the "Giraldillo".

North facade

Door of Conception (1895-1927), opens onto the Patio de los Naranjos. The design was done by Demetrio de los Rios and designed and finished by Adolfo Fernandez Casanova in 1895. It was built imitating the Gothic style to harmonize with the rest of the building.

Door of the Lizard communicates with the cover of the Patio de los Naranjos, whose gallery also receives the same name for a crocodile hanging from the ceiling.

Door of the Tabernacle provides access to the Tabernacle. It's was designed by Pedro Sanchez Falconete in the last third of the 17th century. It is framed by Corinthian columns and on the top there is a sculpture representing King Fernando III of Castille, next to Saint Isidore, Saint Justa and Saint Rufina and Saint Leandro.

Door of Forgiveness. This door gives access to the Patio de los Naranjos from Calle Alemanes and therefore is not really a door of the cathedral. It had belonged to the ancient mosque and kept from that time a horseshoe arch. In early XVI century works were carried out, decorating with terracotta sculptures by the sculptor Miguel Perrin, highlighting the great relief of the Purification of the entrance arch. The plaster ornaments were made by Bartolomé López.

East facade

Door of Sticks or Gate of the Adoration of the Magi. It has a relief with the Adoration of the Magi to Jesus on the top, modeled by Miguel Perrin in 1520. The name "Palos" or "Sticks" is more popular and it's due to the wooden railings which separated that area from the rest of the builing.

Door of the Bells, so named because at the time of its construction was from where it touched the bells to call the workers. The Renaissance sculptures and the relief of the tympanum representing Christ's Entry into Jerusalem were made by Michael Perrin in the early XVI century.

  • Door of the Baptism.
    Door of the Baptism.
  • Main Door or Door of Assumption.
    Main Door or Door of Assumption.
  • Main Door or Door of Assumption.
    Main Door or Door of Assumption.
  • Door of Saint Miguel.
    Door of Saint Miguel.
  • Door of the Prince.
    Door of the Prince.
  • Door of Conception.
    Door of Conception.
  • Door of Palos.
    Door of Palos.
  • Detail of Door of Palos.
    Detail of Door of Palos.
  • Door of the Forgiveness.
    Door of the Forgiveness.

Chapels

The cathedral has 80 chapels, in which 500 masses were said daily as reported in 1896.[5] The baptistery Chapel of Saint Anthony contains the painting of The Vision of St. Anthony (1656) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. In November 1874, it was discovered that thieves had cut out the portion depicting Saint Anthony. Then in January 1875, a Spanish immigrant attempted to sell the same painting at a New York City art gallery. The man stated the portion was a complete original by Murillo, Saint Anthony one of his favorite subjects. The owner of the gallery negotiated a price of $250 for the portion and contacted the Spanish consulate.[6]

Timeline

  • 1184 - lda begun (Harvey 260)
  • 1198 - Completion of Almohad Mosque (Montiel 12) (Harvey 260)
  • 1248 - Conquest of Seville by Ferdinand III, mosque Christianized (Montiel 14)
  • 1376 - Earthquake destroys minaret, replaced by bell gable (Montiel 12)
  • 1401 - (8 July- Harvey 230) Decision made to replace former mosque (Montiel 15)
  • 1402 - Nave begun- SW corner (Harvey 260)
  • 1432 - Nave completed, east end started (Harvey 260)
  • 1466 - Demolition of Royal Chapel authorized by Juan II of Castile (Montiel 15)
  • 1467 - East end completed, vaults begun. Anchors added. (Harvey 260)
  • 1475 - Stalls begun (Harvey 260)
  • 1478 - Stalls completed (Harvey 260)
  • 1481 - Doorways in high altar completed (Montiel 16)
  • 1482 - Retablo Mayor begun (ALTARPIECE) (Harvey 260)
  • 1498 - Vaults completed, lantern begun (Harvey 260)*
  • 1506 - Main dome (lantern) completed (Montiel 16) (Harvey 260)
  • 1511 - Lantern collapses, rebuilding begins (Montiel 16) (Harvey 260)
  • 1515 - New choir vaults completed (Montiel 16)*
  • 1517 - New transept vaults completed (Montiel 16)*
  • 1519 - Lantern rebuilding completed (Harvey 260)
  • 1526 - Retablo Mayor completed (Harvey 260)
  • 1551 - Capilla Real begun (Harvey 260)
  • 1558 - Belfry replaces bell gable (Montiel 12)
  • 1568 - Giralda, top stages (Harvey 260)
  • 1575 - Capilla Real completed (Harvey 260)
  • 1888 - Main dome and vaults collapse (Montiel 16)
  • 1934 - Eduard Torres, priest and long-time choirmaster, dies

Burials

See also

  • Seville Cathedral.
    Seville Cathedral.
  • Exterior of the Cathedral (South view).
    Exterior of the Cathedral (South view).
  • View from inside of La Giralda.
    View from inside of La Giralda.
  • Façade of the Cathedral.
    Façade of the Cathedral.
  • Giralda as seen from the outside wall of the Patio de los Naranjos.
    Giralda as seen from the outside wall of the Patio de los Naranjos.
  • Giralda from Plaza Virgen de Los Reyes .
    Giralda from Plaza Virgen de Los Reyes .
  • Cathedral roofs as seen from the Giralda.
    Cathedral roofs as seen from the Giralda.
  • Interior of the Cathedral.
    Interior of the Cathedral.
  • Inside the Cathedral.
    Inside the Cathedral.
  • Inside the Cathedral.
    Inside the Cathedral.
  • Inside the Cathedral
    Inside the Cathedral
  • Tomb of Christopher Columbus.
    Tomb of Christopher Columbus.
  • Relics at the Cathedral.
    Relics at the Cathedral.
  • Gate to the Patio de los Naranjos, part of the old Almohad mosque, now annexed to the Cathedral.
    Gate to the Patio de los Naranjos, part of the old Almohad mosque, now annexed to the Cathedral.
  • Cathedral from the Patio de los Naranjos.
    Cathedral from the Patio de los Naranjos.
  • Pierre Dancart's masterpiece, considered one of the finest altarpieces in the world.
    Pierre Dancart's masterpiece, considered one of the finest altarpieces in the world.
  • Montañés' Cristo de los Cálices (1603), located in the Sacristy.
    Montañés' Cristo de los Cálices (1603), located in the Sacristy.
  • Seville Cathedral Roof Collapse 1 August 1888 after earthquake
    Seville Cathedral Roof Collapse 1 August 1888 after earthquake

Sources

  • John Harvey, The Cathedrals of Spain
  • Luis Martinez Montiel, The Cathedral of Seville

References

  1. ^ "The other Europe: Cinque Terre, Bruges, Rothenburg, Edinburgh, Seville". Dallas Morning News. 2009-05-31. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  2. ^ "Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville". UNESCO. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  3. ^ a b Gallichan, Walter Matthew (1903). The Story of Seville. J.M. Dent & Co.
  4. ^ Ellis, Havelock (1915). The soul of Spain. Houghton.
  5. ^ Dunton, Larkin (1896). The World and Its People. Silver, Burdett.
  6. ^ http://arttheftcentral.blogspot.com/2009/04/art-theft-history-murillos-vision-of-st.html
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