A Brief History Of Granada Cathedral

Though it took over 180 years to build, Granada’s magnificent cathedral is still not finished: its original plans included two 80-metre towers but only one was ever started and even that remains half-finished. Nevertheless, its harmonious blend of architectural styles make it one of southern Spain’s greatest monuments.

Its first chief architect was Enrique Egas, who designed a cathedral in the Gothic style and oversaw construction of the foundations between 1523 and 1529. As with many other great cathedrals in Andalusia, the first stones of Granada’s were laid on the site of the city’s former mosque – a symbolic repudiation of the culture and faith that had dominated southern Spain for centuries. In 1529, Egas was replaced by Diego of Siloam, a Burgos-born sculptor and architect who had been influenced by the Italian Renaissance style on a trip to Naples in 1517. Siloam’s great challenge was to build a Renaissance cathedral on the Gothic foundations laid by his predecessor, a challenge he worked to overcome for the next four decades before his death in 1563.

After Siloam’s death, a succession of prestigious architects – including Juan de Maena, Juan de Orea and Ambrosio de Vico – worked on the Renaissance cathedral, but their predecessor’s ingenuity had already left its mark on the building. Siloam planned five naves instead of the more customary three and a circular Capilla Mayor, or main chapel. This beautiful chapel is home to some of the cathedral’s most important artworks, including effigies of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (the Catholic monarchs who seized Granada from the Moors in 1492) by Granadino sculptor Pedro de Mena. Busts of Adam and Eve by de Mena’s distinguished teacher, the (also Granadino) architect and sculptor Alonso Cano also have pride of place. Along with Siloam’s other great architectural achievement in Granada, the church of the monastery of Saint Jerome, his work on the city’s cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of the Renaissance style in Spain.

Cano was also quite a character and had a temper that he could seldom control. According to legend, he once smashed to pieces a statue of a saint he was trying to sell when the buyer refused to pay the price Cano demanded – an act for which he could have been executed. Thankfully he got away with this spontaneous outburst and was able to leave his mark on his hometown’s great cathedral – a Renaissance masterpiece built on Gothic foundations that is still not fully complete.
Catedral de Granada, 5 Gran Via de Colón, Granada, Spain, +34 958 22 29 59

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.