Spain is home to some of the best-preserved castles, as well as one of the largest pairs of diverse cathedrals in the world, with a total of 88 cathedrals of various styles, spread across major cities throughout the Spanish region. The significance of the church is not limited to religious beliefs, the church is able to transport us back to another era through its art, style and architecture, from austere Romanesque to Baroque details, from Renaissance features to the gradual flourishing of Gothic styles. All of these 10 cathedrals we are going to mention will invariably confirm to us one beautiful example after another, which are essential punch-in spots if visitors are to visit the city that owns them. Definitely worth a visit to the authentic artistic and architectural gems of Spanish heritage, how many of them have you visited?
01Catedral of Santiago de Compostela
In addition to its unique style, the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is also known for its long history, making it the first choice for many people to come to pilgrimage and Mass. The long course of history has weathered this ancient church, which was thought to be enough to allow a building to disappear at the end of the ages and buried deep in the dirt with the quicksand, and today, this majestic cathedral has not only withstood the pounding of time and stood there year after year, but also continues to attract thousands of pilgrims across the Camino de Santiago road year after year.
02Catedral of Oviedo (Asturias)
If you have the opportunity to visit Oviedo, then Oviedo's old town must not be missed, Oviedo Cathedral (also known as San Salvador Cathedral) is located in the city's old town location, is a place that can not be missed when visiting Oviedo. Why can't you miss it? Because it is one of the most important cathedrals in Spain and has a high artistic value, these unusual artistic values make the Oviedo Cathedral unique, especially due to the great historical significance it has accumulated over more than 1200 years of history, and has a variety of styles from Asturias Pre-Romanesque to Renaissance, Romanesque or Gothic, etc.
03Catedral of León (Castilla y León)
The Cathedral of León is considered by experts to be one of the most beautiful and perfect French Gothic cathedrals. A name called Puchra leonina (Beautiful Leon) originated in 916, when Ordoño II built a church for his royal palace in gratitude for defeating the Arabs at the Battle of San Esteban de Gormaz. If the Cathedral of León stands out in some way, then in addition to its perfect Gothic style, another such reason is undoubtedly the stained glass windows inside, the Cathedral of León is one of the best in the world with a collection of stained glass in the medieval (13th-20th centuries) style.
04Cabertal of La Almudena (Madrid)
The original plan for the church was to be built in 1879 by Francisco de Cubas, when the idea was to use it as the pantheon of the late Queen María de las Mercedes. Although the project began in 1883, it was not until 1885 with Pope Leo XIII that the project was officially transformed into a cathedral. From there, it became a more ambitious project, which began to be inspired by thirteenth-century French Gothic architecture, but due to financial problems, and many other reasons such as the Spanish Civil War, the project was difficult to move forward until the construction of the cathedral in 1993, which was not really completed until 1993, when Pope John Paul II visited Spain for the fourth time.
05 Cathedral of Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha)
In addition to the famous hanging houses and the best hostels in Spain, Cuenca also boasts another treasure: the Cuenca Cathedral. In addition to cuenca cathedral there is also the Cathedral of Avila, both of which are the earliest Gothic cathedrals in Castile. In addition to the strong influence of the French Gothic style of cuenca cathedral, another attraction is the abstract stained glass windows that it currently uses to replace the originals. Regarding its history, King Alfonso VIII, after conquering the city in 1177, ordered the construction of this cathedral on top of the Arab mosque. The church was built in a distinctly French style under the influence of the king's wife, Eleanor de Plantagenet.
06Catedral of Santa María de Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha)
The Basilica of Santa Maria (also known as the Catedral Primada de España), commissioned by Archbishop Don Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, was built in 1227 and built in the Visigothic style of the 6th century as the main church used for pilgrimage in the Toledo region. The floor plan of this Gothic cathedral with French influence is supported by five naves with 88 columns and 72 domes. The stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Toledo have undoubtedly become a very beautiful and significant work of art, its construction process is from the 14th century to the 17th century, coupled with the restoration of the 18th century, and with the development of many years and constantly changing in style.
07Catedral of The Savior of Zaragoza (Aragon)
What is particularly appealing about Salvador Cathedral is its amazing mix of styles, and those who come here will see in this church that it is supported by romantic ashlars and precious brick walls, which in turn consist of five star-shaped naves. The unique design and style, also known as "La Seo", which is directly related to its important history, is home to the vows of the Fueros and the Aragon Crown. From the outside, the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcángel is most impressive and draws attention to its walls, 17th-century Baroque towers and neoclassical façade. Inside the church, it is impossible not to notice the main Gothic colored alabaster altarpieces. A cathedral has been transformed into a work of art and was inscribed on unesco's World Heritage Declaration in 2001. It also has a tapestries museum with some of the best flamenco tapestries in the world from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
08 Cathedral of Barcelona (Catalonia)
If you come to Barcelona and its old town of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona Cathedral is well worth a visit, one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona and one of the oldest. The façade of the church, marked by a spike-like mane, was a great project and was completed in several towers that took a total of eight centuries. Inside you will find treasures such as the catacombs of St. Eularia, medieval cloisters or museums, and even gardens full of palm trees and magnolias. Barcelona Cathedral has extraordinary significance, as mentioned by the then Council of Barcelona since its founding in 576, the church was built to dedicate it to the Barcelona Red Cross.
09Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba (Andalusia)
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin mary in Córdoba is arguably one of the most unique cathedrals in Spain at present, containing both the style of an Islamic mosque and the combination of Gothic architecture, Renaissance style and Baroque style, so many distinctive architectural styles combined in the same church to give a very impactful and unique beauty, which is also an important reason for the Cathedral of Córdoba to become a World Heritage Site, and it is also an important reason why it is called one of the most beautiful monuments in Spain. This ancient mosque was once considered the second largest mosque in the world after Mecca, but was converted into a Christian church in 1236 after the reconquest of Fernando III. The large number of red and white arches responsible for supporting the roof is also an important attraction for visitors to this church.
10Caise de Mallorca Cathedral (Balearic Islands)
If you're visiting palma, attractions such as "La Seu" and "Catedral de la Luz" are essential excursions. Beyond that is the Catedral de Palma de Mallorca, the church not only because it is a work of art in itself, one of the most valuable Gothic buildings in Spain, but more importantly, its 400-year history. Construction began in 1230 along the coast, next to a mosque built during the reign of arab conquerors. In all the years of its construction, it underwent numerous reforms, the last of which was carried out by Antoni Gaudí himself between 1904 and 1914. If you visit it, it's worth stopping to take a closer look at its windows, also known as the "Rose Window" in the Catedral de Palma de Mallorca.