Badajoz Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Badajoz Cathedral |
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| Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist | |
| Catedral Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista | |
West façade.
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| 38°52′42.40″N 6°58′9.89″W / 38.8784444°N 6.9694139°W | |
| Location | Badajoz |
| Country | Spain |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Metropolitan Cathedral |
| Dedication | John the Baptist |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 15th Century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 70 m (229 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 40 m (131 ft 3 in) |
| Tower height | 40 m (131 ft 3 in) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Mérida–Badajoz |
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is a large Catholic church in Badajoz, a city in western Spain. It is also known as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Since 1994, it has been one of the main churches for the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz.
Contents
History of the Badajoz Cathedral
Building a New Church in Badajoz
After King Alfonso IX of León took back Badajoz in 1230, the first bishop, Pedro Pérez, used an old mosque as the main church. However, they soon decided to build a brand new cathedral. They chose a spot outside the city's old fortress walls, where an even older church used to stand.
Construction of the new cathedral began in the mid-1200s. Even though it wasn't fully finished, the church was officially dedicated to St. John the Baptist in 1270. Building work continued for many years, even into the 15th century, as they added more parts. Later, in the 16th and 17th centuries, some sections were updated or changed.
Recognizing its Importance
In 1931, the church was officially named a national historical monument. This means it's a very important building in Spain's history. On July 28, 1994, Pope John Paul II created the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz. This made the Church of Saint John the Baptist its main cathedral.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
Outside the Cathedral
Because the cathedral was built outside the city's main fortress, it looks a bit like a strong castle. It has thick walls and sturdy towers, just like a fort. The main tower is square, measuring 11 meters (about 36 feet) on each side and standing 40 meters (about 131 feet) tall. It has four sections, with the bells located in the very top part. The original plan was to build two such towers.
The front of the church has a simple, rectangular shape. Its main entrance, built in 1619, is made of marble. This entrance is decorated with two tall columns and a small statue of Saint John the Baptist above it. On the south side, there's another old entrance called the Portal of St. Blaise. It has two flat columns and a small image of Saint Blaise. All the walls and the tower have pointed tops called Gothic merlons, which also make it look like a fortress.
Inside the Cathedral
The inside of the cathedral is built in a style called late Gothic. It has a main area called a nave and two side aisles. There are also smaller chapels along the sides. The main altar is very decorative, with a large, fancy altarpiece in a Baroque style. The choir area has beautifully carved wooden seats, known as Plateresque stalls, and a large Baroque organ.
The cloister, which is an open courtyard surrounded by covered walkways, is built in a unique style called Manueline. This style comes from Portugal.
