The golden dome that guards the charming Cádiz

The Cathedral of La Santa Cruz is located on the top of the city of Cádiz. It is known as the “Holy Cross over the sea”, or “Holy Cross over the Waters”, precisely because it stands out among the mass of water that surrounds the capital of Cádiz.

Plan your visit to the Cádiz Cathedral

The people of Cádiz know this cathedral as the “New Cathedral“. Before its construction, a Gothic temple built by Alfonso X the Wise had been the cathedral’s headquarters. 

Work on the cathedral began in 1722 under the orders of the architect Vicente Acero. His project shows the influence of his work on the Cathedral of Granada, as well as that of Guadix. 

With the resignation of Acero, different architects like Gaspar Cayón, Miguel Olivares or Manuel Machuca directed the works. In 1838 the construction is finished by Juan Daura.

The extensive construction period, 116 years, made visible the changes in taste and style. Thus, we find ourselves with baroque, rococo and neoclassical features.

Cádiz Cathedral
Main facade

The main facade has a pronounced baroque air. It is made up of a series of concave and convex forms that generate a great sensation of dynamism. 

It has three doors. The central door is made up of two bodies. The first one has four Corinthian columns. As for the second one, it has a window finished off by a triangular pediment. On both sides are the patron saints, St. German and St. Servando.

The whole body is inscribed in a large splayed arch, topped by a classicist pediment.

The side doors are finished off by very baroque pediments. In addition, they are flanked by two octagonal towers that house the bells.

The facades of the sides follow the same pattern as the main façade. One is dedicated to Saint Germain, and the other to Saint Servando.

The Clock Tower of Cádiz Cathedral is one of its most popular attractions. From the top you can enjoy wonderful views of the city and the Bay of Cádiz.

It is a neoclassical structure that bears witness to the most prosperous period of the city of Cádiz. 

Around the middle of the 19th century a clock made by José Miguel de Zugasti was added, giving it its name. 

In its interior, the beautiful vaults with classical decoration stand out. In the transept there is a fascinating hemispherical dome covered with yellow ceramics and sculptures by Cosme Velázquez.

Cádiz Cathedral
Vaults of the central nave
Cádiz Cathedral
Main dome

The Cádiz Cathedral has about fifteen chapels, in which the baroque and neoclassical styles can be seen. 

It is worth mentioning the intervention of the sculptor Luisa Roldán, known as “La Roldana” in some of them. One of them is the Chapel of San Sebastián, where there is an image of Ecce Homo made by the artist in 1684. 

Another of the most important chapels in Cádiz Cathedral is the Chapel of La Asunción. It has a marble altarpiece in Italian Baroque style, with Solomonic columns, and a magnificent sculpture of the Virgin.

Cádiz Cathedral
San Sebastián Chapel
Cádiz Cathedral
La Anunciación Chapel

The choir of the Cádiz headquarters is another of its attractions. The choir stalls have two bodies: a high one, which came from the Cartuja de las Cuevas in Seville; a low one, made later.

Other admirable elements of the choir are the two monumental organs, and the grille made in Manuel Grosso’s workshop.

Cádiz Cathedral
Detail of the choir stalls

Crypt of the Cádiz Cathedral

Cádiz Cathedral
Crypt of the Cádiz Cathedral

Before finishing the visit to the Cádiz Cathedral, it is necessary to go into La Cripta, which was built around 1732. Its stone construction contrasts with the whitish marble outside.

It has an almost flat vault, recreating a completely circular space. You can even hear a certain amount of sound because of its proximity to the sea.

A marble image of the Our Lady of the Rosary presides over the central room of the Crypt. The relics of Santa Victoria can also be found here. Her face is covered by a wax mask.

The crypt of the Cádiz Cathedral also serves as a mausoleum for two distinguished personalities from Cádiz: the musician Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) and the poet José María Pemán (1898-1981).

Location: Plaza de la Catedral, s/n, 11005 Cádiz.
Telephone956 28 66 20.
The schedules vary according to the time of year, but you can check them updated here.

If you want to enjoy the capital of Cádiz for longer, we recommend restaurants and places to stay.


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