Known to be one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Granada, Catedral de Granada offers an impressive design due to its simple facade, tinted glass windows and two enormous towers standing at a height of 81 metres. Catedral de Granada is considered the first-ever Renaissance church in Spain that features intricate architectural design, making it one of the most significant buildings in the city.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation popularly known as Catedral de Granada is a famous Roman Catholic Church in the heart of Granada city. Unlike many Cathedrals in Granada, the construction of this structure did not start until the 16th century. Whereas its foundation was laid somewhere between 1523 to 1708 as this church is one of the prime examples of Baroque architecture, Renaissance architecture, and Plateresque architecture.
Some prime architects involved in its construction include Diego Siloe, Felipe Bigarny, Enrique de Egas and Juan Gil de Hontañón. The facade of Catedral de Granada was completely different from the general standards of the Baroque architecture style.
Alonso Cano, a famous architect in Catedral de Granada, was more sympathetic towards the Classic style. He decided to follow the same architectural style as the rest of the Catedral. The place features a rectangular base of its five naves. All these are staggered in height, with the central one being the largest.
There are two towers located at the foot of the Cathedral. The facade consists of three pillars with semicircular arches, the same as San Andrés de Mantua of Leon Battista Alberti. The facade also features a bell tower which offers an incredible view to all tourists.
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Highlights
• Marvel in the heart of Granada, Catedral de Granada, is an architectural masterpiece whose foundation was laid in 1518.
• Check out the beautiful Catedral de Granada, which is one of the finest examples of Baroque, Renaissance and Plateresque style architecture.
• Explore its several artistic innovations placed in different corners of the Cathedral. This place hosts great importance for concepts like numbers, proportion, geometry and harmony.
• Explore the alluring exteriors of this historic Catedral, which makes it one of the most magnificently decorated Catedral in all of Granada.
• Catedral de Granada is a popular complex which comprises several interesting parts like the facade, the Cathedral's interior and the royal chapel.
How To Reach
By Bus- There are various buses which pass by this significant Cathedral of the city. You can take bus number 4, 8, 11, 21, 33 and reach the stop Gran Via 1' or Cathedral, which is the closest bus stop from the destination. Alternatively, you can board buses C31, C32, C34 and reach Plaza Isabel Catolica stop which is another nearby stop for you to reach Catedral De Granada.
By Taxi- You can take a taxi from anywhere and reach the destination, which is one of the most expensive modes of transport. Note, that people can not reach here by their own private car as it is not allowed.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Catedral de Granada will be during the early opening hours at 10:00 AM on weekdays. During that time, the crowd is less, and you will not need to wait in the queue for long for your turn. Also, the weather in the morning is pleasant for visiting the outdoor attraction; if you want to visit during the setting hours, visiting this place an hour before the sunset will be most ideal.
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Other Essential Information
Tips to Visit Catedral de Granada
- Book the tickets online in advance to reserve your slots, as this is a hyped attraction, and you might not get bookings on the same day.
- It is recommended that you cover your head with a hat, your eyes with sunglasses, and put on sunscreen lotion to protect yourself from the heat if you're visiting here during the summer season.
- When travelling to Catedral de Granada, wear shoulder and knee-covered clothes to respect the privacy of those who are worshipping here.
- Taking pictures and videos inside the cathedral premises is strictly forbidden. Avoid any such practices.
- Carry water with you to keep yourself hydrated. You can also take along a few snacks to munch in between.
- Check out nearby souvenir shops if you want to purchase some souvenirs.
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The Facade
The first thing to notice when travelling to Catedral de Granada is its magnificent facade. Constructed by a famous architect, Alonso Cano in 1667, this building was one of its kind as it followed the Gothic style of architecture. The facade of the building was constructed as a triumphal arch featuring three streets. Additionally, it is embellished with geometric motifs and greenery all around. Unlike most parts of the church, the facade is heavily decorated and strongly uses colours and contrasts.
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The Cathedral's Interior
The idea of Diego Siloé was highly inspired by the Cathedral of Toledo and Holy Sepulchre. The Cathedral's interiors feature intricate cravings and pillars, using white marble and fluted half-columns, which adds a classic touch to the entire building. Presently, the pieces of the Sacristy and the treasure of the Cathedral are on display.
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Royal Chapel
Another major characteristic of this magnificent structure is the 15 chapels which represent the continuous changes in the taste for art. These fifteen chapels are used for closing all side naves. Additionally, both sculptural and pictorial works are preserved inside the Royal Chapel. Out of all royal chapels, the two most important chapels are the Capilla de Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Antigua and the Main Chapel. These chapels also feature two famous paintings by Francisco Alonso Argüello.
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The Cupola
Another important part of Catedral de Granada is the Cupola. It is a massive stained glass window which adds great lighting to the Cathedral's premises. The Cupola's structure follows the mediaeval technique of buttressing along with flying buttresses and traditional buttresses. It adds more strength to the walls, which helped the Cathedral stay strong throughout various invasions of mother Earth.
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The Door of Forgiveness
The main entrance door inside the Catedral de Granada is also regarded as the door of forgiveness. It is the finest example of Siloé's knowledge in the field of architecture and design. Towards the end of the door, you will find the signature of Siloé as well, which holds great significance.
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Stained-Glass Windows
The Cathedral's stained-glass windows are full of complexities. During the renaissance period, these stained windows played a significant role and possessed extremely high value. One major feature which makes these glasses different is their high quality. It almost feels like painting a glass rather than working on a canvas. What adds more to the beauty is the direct reflection of light, colour and composition. The primary reason for adding these glass windows inside the main chapel was to create coloured light effects. Additionally, the Sancta Sanctorum, the place of the tabernacle and The main chapel need to have different coloured lighting from the rest of the Catedral de Granada.
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