Cathedral of Santa María. Cathedral of Murcia

A cathedral is a Christian temple which contains the seat of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese

The most important temple in the region is a magnificent superposition of styles covering over 600 years of history and art. This monument sits on the old main mosque or aljama (the remains can be seen in the recently restored Cathedral Museum). The construction of this temple began in 1394 and was completed in 1467, although subsequent additions were made.

 

The cathedral combines different architectural styles. Its structure is Gothic, just like the Apostles gate (puerta de los Apóstoles), which has one single opening with pointed archivolts where apostle sculptures are fitted. The first floor of the tower and the Chain Gate (Puerta de las Cadenas) are of Renaissance style. During this period, the master builder was Francisco Florentín, replaced after his death by Jacobo Florentín (1522), disciple of Buonarotti and person who left traces of Italian art in the cathedral of Murcia. Florentín was in turn replaced by Jerónimo Quijano, whose architectonic style and training were more specialized and technical. In the 18^th century, Jaime Bort contributed to significant Baroque development in the cathedral. The main facade, considered the most symbolic feature of the temple, was built during this period, with a large iconographic development divided in two bodies and three streets (as if it were a reredos).

 

It has a structural floor of Latin cross, with a buttress and choir stall. The side chapels are dedicated to saints or patrons of old fraternities. One of the main chapels is Los Vélez (15^th century), covered with a ten-pointed star vault and abundant decoration, and Junterón, with an oval layout covered by an original vault.

 

Construction of the 5-part, 92-meter tower began in 1521. The fifth part of the tower is home to 25 bells, some of which have popular names such as Nona, Mª Fuensanta and Mª de la Encarnación, among others.