Granada Cathedral

In front of you rises one of the most original facades in Spain. It looks like a gigantic Roman triumphal arch: three huge recessed arches, pilasters and medallions. It was conceived by Granada-born Alonso Cano, painter, sculptor and architect, appointed master of works of the cathedral in 1667, the year he died; the facade was completed afterwards following his design.

1On the site of the great mosque

Like so many Andalusian cathedrals, this one was built on the site of the old great mosque. The first stone was laid on 25 March 1523, to a Gothic design by Enrique Egas, the same architect as the Royal Chapel, which adjoins the church on its south side. In 1528 Diego de Siloé took over and changed the plan completely: he imagined a circular main chapel, surrounded by an ambulatory and joined to a body of five naves. It became one of the great Renaissance churches of its time.

Construction dragged on for almost two centuries. Siloé directed the work until his death in 1563, other masters followed, and the vaults were not closed until 1704. The tower, planned to be much taller, was left halfway.

Inside, seven large canvases by Alonso Cano on the life of the Virgin, painted between 1652 and 1664, hang high up in the main chapel.

Visits to the interior have their own opening hours and tickets, which change with the season and with religious celebrations: check the cathedral’s official website if you want to go in after the route.

2What to look for

• The Ave Maria medallion, above the central door.
• The three great arches that turn the facade into a triumphal arch.
• The tower, to one side of the facade, lower than originally planned.