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Granada Cathedral is the first cathedral in the Renaissance style to be built in Spain. The first stone was laid in 1523. Construction properly got underway in 1526. The cathedral was usable within about 60 years, but the work dragged on for almost 200. The last chapel wasn't finished until the 19th century.
The project was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs. The initial idea was for a more modest Gothic cathedral on the site of the former mosque. The mosque's prayer hall was preserved (it's where the Church of the Sagrario stands today). That former oratory, later converted into a church, was left in ruins by an earthquake in the 18th century, which is what led to the Church of the Sagrario we know today.
The first design, commissioned from Enrique Egas, was never carried out because of the death of Queen Isabella. The project was postponed to build the Royal Chapel instead. Charles V then took it up again and wanted something more modern: the Renaissance. That's how the cathedral you see today came about, with five naves and side chapels. And there's one detail that explains a lot about the building: the project was never fully completed, because of unstable ground. The bell tower falls short of the 100 metres originally planned, reaching only about 60. The twin tower that was meant to frame Alonso Cano's façade was never built.
The first stone was laid in 1523. Construction properly began in 1526. The chief architect was Diego de Siloé, later succeeded by master builder Maeda.
Granada Cathedral was usable within about 60 years, but the work dragged on for almost 200. The last chapel wasn't finished until the 19th century.
Part of the delay came down to a change of plan. The project was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs, who wanted a more modest Gothic cathedral on the site of the former mosque. That plan, commissioned from Enrique Egas, was never carried out because of the Queen's death. It was postponed to build the Royal Chapel instead, and it was ultimately Charles V who took the project up again and steered it towards the Renaissance.
The rest of the delay came from everything that was added along the way: a cathedral with five naves and numerous chapels. Among them, the Chapel of San Miguel and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angustias, which houses the building's old choir. And in later phases, other key pieces were added too, such as the great Baroque paintings of the Life of the Virgin commissioned from Alonso Cano for the high altar.
There's one very specific reason some parts were left unfinished. The project could never be completed as originally planned because of problems with the stability of the ground. That's why the bell tower falls short of the 100 metres that had been planned, reaching only about 60. And the twin tower meant to frame Alonso Cano's façade was never built.
Granada Cathedral ended up with a Renaissance look. That shift came when Charles V took the project back over and decided it should be built in the Renaissance style, hence its basilica layout with five naves and its many chapels.
The cathedral rises as a grand Renaissance building. That decision shaped the final appearance it has today, with its five naves.
With so many chapels, two tend to stand out by name and by date.
The Chapel of San Miguel, completed in 1807
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Angustias, which houses the cathedral's old choir
The high altar was originally conceived as a royal mausoleum for the House of Austria, but that plan fell through when the capital moved to Madrid under Philip II.
Thanks to that change of plan, Alonso Cano was commissioned to paint the great Baroque paintings of the Life of the Virgin that decorate the high altar today, along with numerous other works throughout the building, the most important of which, the Immaculate Conception, is kept in the sacristy.
On the outside, the façade was built in the 17th century, also by Alonso Cano, his final great work as an architect.
To visit Granada Cathedral, the opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Sundays from 3 pm to 6 pm
Doors close at 6:45 pm
Opening hours may vary depending on services held in the cathedral. Ticket prices are as follows:
General €7
Students under 25 with valid ID: €5
Visitors with disabilities: €5
Children under 12, always accompanied: free
The cathedral project could never be completed as originally designed because of problems with the stability of the ground. That's why the bell tower doesn't reach the 100 metres it was meant to, standing at around 60 instead. Its twin tower, which should have helped frame Alonso Cano's façade, was never built.
The façade was built in the 17th century, also by the artist Alonso Cano, the swan song of this great architectural master.
The guided tour of Granada Cathedral lasts about 2 hours, split between a stop at the Church of the Sagrario of around 10 minutes, a look at the cathedral's exterior of around 5 minutes, and the rest of the time inside, up to 1 hour and 45 minutes, covering the construction from 1523 onward, the artwork and the different areas, usually finishing in the sacristy and leaving those who want to stay longer free to do so on their own.
The guided tour of Granada Cathedral lasts around 2 hours, covering the construction from 1523 onward, the changes to the original project, and how each area is used today.
Times: Monday to Saturday at 12 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm, because of the main Sunday Mass and because tourist access isn't allowed in the morning.
Meeting point: Plaza Bib-Rambla
Languages: Spanish and English, in separate groups.
Includes an official guide, entry to the cathedral, and wireless audio equipment if the group has more than 6 people.
Does not include transport or access to the tower, which is currently closed to visitors.
Photos are allowed, but not in the sacristy or the museum area.
Accessibility: the cathedral is accessible; the sacristy has limited access; the restrooms are not accessible; the tour can be done with a pushchair.
Pets are not allowed, except for accredited assistance dogs.
Want to see it with an official guide telling you in person?
See tours in Granada