The Seville Cathedral is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world and also the 3rd biggest one in terms of size, after Saint Peter (the Vatican) and Saint Paul (London, UK). Its construction started in 1401, after the Christians reconquered Seville, and it ended in 1506.
Initially, the Moors built a mosque exactly at the same location and the works lasted 26 years (1172-1198). The main part of the Giralda tower and the Courtyard of the Orange Trees (Patio de los Naranjos) are the only remaining parts of the original mosque. The bell tower was the minaret and the courtyard was the ablutions patio, where the faithful washed themselves as part of the Islamic rite.
The Seville Cathedral was built for two main reasons. The first one is that the old mosque was in very poor conditions after the 1356 earthquake. And the second one is because the rulers of Seville decided to build a new temple in 1401 to demonstrate the city wealth and the Christian’s domination over the Muslims.
Unfortunately, five years after its completion, one of the main pillars collapsed and the dome was almost completely destroyed. The recovery works ended in 1519. Over the centuries, chapels and other additions related to the Cathedral were built, resulting in the complex you can see today.
Where
Plaza Virgen de los Reyes
Entrance
It allows you to enter both the Cathedral and the Giralda
General ticket: 8 €
Reduced ticket (Seniors and Students under 26): 3 €
Free (Born or residing in Sevilla, Children under 16 accompanied by an adult, Disabled and an escort, Unemployed)
Opening hours
Winter (September to June)
Mondays 11:00 to 15:30
Tuesdays to Saturdays 11:00 to 17:00
Sundays 14:30 to 18:30
Summer (July & August)
Mondays 9:30 to 14:30
Tuesdays to Saturdays 9:30 to 16:30
Sundays 14:30 to 18:30pm