Murcia Cathedral de Santa Maria sightseeing and information

The Church of the Virgin Mary in the Spanish city of Murcia is one of the biggest attractions of the city and an undeniable symbol of it. Furthermore, the impressive building, known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, is considered one of the most precious historical landmarks in the region.

Murcia is a rapidly developing city, filled with modern buildings and many daring architectural solutions. However, it is the historical monuments that draw true crowds of tourists to the city, with the Church of the Virgin Mary being the most significant among them.

The cathedral in Murcia is considered the most beautiful in Spain

The Cathedral in Murcia is not the largest or oldest church in Spain; however, for many, it is considered the most important and beautiful cathedral in the country. You can easily grasp the love of the Spaniards for it by simply strolling around, and once you step inside, all doubts will disappear.

One of the reasons for its beauty and uniqueness is that the cathedral was constructed over a long period, making it a work of various styles and visions of its builders. Additionally, the Cathedral in Murcia reflects the history of the southern coast of Spain. This place has been strongly connected to two powerful cultures over the centuries: Arabic and Christian. The influence of both is clearly visible, even here, in the stone walls of the cathedral.

Church of Our Lady in Murcia and its history

The history of the cathedral in Murcia is as complicated as it is fascinating. The magnificent structure we see today originated from the remains of a large Arabic mosque, Aljama, which previously stood on the same site.

In 1266, James I of Aragon, Conqueror, the king of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, and count of Barcelona. After prolonged battles and sharp negotiations with the Arab rulers of the surrounding lands, took control of the city and triumphantly entered through the gates of Murcia. The Muslim city fell, but, based on earlier agreements, guarantees of freedom and maintenance of existing privileges were promised to its residents.

However, as often happened in history, reality differed significantly from what was written in the documents. After occupying the palace, King James ordered the takeover of the nearby, massive, and very popular Aljama mosque, thereby breaking the treaty signed in Alcaraz. He justified it by saying that he could not allow the “cries of Muslims to distract him during the evening prayer“.

Over time, the Arab residents of the city were pushed into the poorest district known as Arrixaca, and the grand mosque was transformed into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Of course, this did not sit well with the Muslim inhabitants, but they yielded when the king declared that in case of disobedience, he would allow his soldiers to plunder the Arab quarter.

In the following years, Christians strengthened their presence on the coast, gradually conquering new territories and populating them with settlers from other parts of Spain.

Murcia Cathedral de Santa Maria architecture, style, and construction

The Cathedral of Murcia stands in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga in the oldest, historic part of the city, precisely where the grand Aljama mosque stood centuries ago. The earlier Arabic form of the temple was replaced with a Gothic style.

The decision to build the cathedral was made when the episcopal seat was moved from Cartagena to Murcia. The initial work on the new cathedral began in 1388, but it wasn’t until 1394 that the project gained full momentum.

Construction was completed in 1467, followed by the solemn consecration of the church. Over the subsequent years, the cathedral underwent multiple renovations, with additional elements incorporated and previous ones modified. The most significant transformation occurred in the 19th century after a powerful fire erupted, destroying the entire interior of the church and some of its walls. During the reconstruction, the cathedral was given its current neoclassical appearance.

Today, it’s easy to observe elements from various eras and styles in the venerable walls of the beautiful church. This imparts a unique charm to the entire structure, making the Cathedral of Murcia one of the more intriguing landmarks in all of Spain.

Baroque facade of the cathedral in Murcia and an almost 100-meter high tower

Interior and monuments of the cathedral in Murcia

The interior of the Cathedral in Murcia is vast and overwhelmingly rich. It houses twenty-three chapels, dedicated to various saints and Spanish patrons, as well as numerous lavishly decorated tombs of distinguished bishops and nobility. Some chapels are so rich and beautiful that they could be attractions on their own.

Each chapel is dedicated to a different individual, providing an opportunity to learn a significant part of the history not only of the church but also of the city and its surroundings while walking through the cathedral.

The main chapel with its enormous neo-Gothic altar is truly impressive. One can only imagine the impact such views had on the city’s inhabitants in the past.

An interesting element in the cathedral’s interior is the tomb located to the right of the main altar, containing the remains of King Alfonso X the Wise. This ruler earned his nickname due to his dedication to learning and support for art and culture. The richly adorned tomb holds the heart and entrails of the king.

In my opinion, one cannot visit Murcia without exploring the cathedral. I assure you that the experience is worth every moment spent there.

Murcia Cathedral practical information

• The address of the cathedral is: Calle Santa Maria, 3 – 01001 – Vitoria-Gasteiz.
• For any information related to the cathedral, you can contact them at: +34 945 255 135.
• The visiting time for the cathedral is approximately one hour, plus additional time if you choose to visit the tower. The view, especially in the evening, is gorgeous, so I recommend it.
• You can explore the cathedral with both live and electronic guides.
• When planning your visit, it’s worth checking the cathedral’s website in advance, as various performances by artists are often organized there. You may have the opportunity to witness folk performances or attend cool concerts. Due to the excellent acoustics of the cathedral, classical music concerts are organized, but you can also find blues and jazz performances.
• You can also explore the cathedral virtually through a special website. Interestingly, on YouTube, you can find videos showcasing the historical life inside the church.
• The city of Murcia is away from:
  • Alicante: 80 km.
  • Torrevieja: 70 km.
  • La Mata: 75 km.
  • San Pedro del Pinatar: 40 km.

Murcia Cathedral facts and curiosities

• The beautiful baroque facade of the cathedral was designed by Jaime Bort, a Spanish architect and sculptor. Its construction took place from 1737 to 1754, and it is now considered a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque.
• The tower of the Cathedral in Murcia is the second-tallest church tower in Spain. The tallest is La Giralda in Seville, with a height of just over 104 meters. Interestingly, La Giralda’s tower doesn’t have stairs; instead, there is a sloping ramp that allowed people to ride horses to the top.
• The church tower in Murcia consists of five levels, each designed in different architectural styles, including Neoclassicism, Plateresque, Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance.
• There are 25 bells on the tower, dating from the late 17th to the 18th century. The oldest among them is named Mora, and it can be seen in the museum.
• Each bell on the tower has its name, and many residents of the city can recognize them by their sound.
• In 1854, a massive fire broke out in the cathedral, consuming the oldest part of the church and destroying many priceless works of art, including organs, wooden decorative elements, and historic altars. The losses were significant, but with the help of people from all over Spain, the cathedral was restored to its former glory.
• The cathedral houses over 20 different chapels dedicated to individuals who have made significant contributions to the church and the city.

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