Cádiz Cathedral Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cádiz Cathedral
Cathedral of the Holy Cross over the Waters
Catedral de la Santa Cruz sobre las Aguas
North façade in 2015.
36°31′45″N 6°17′43″W / 36.529135°N 6.295254°W / 36.529135; -6.295254
Location	Cádiz
Country	Spain
Denomination	Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral
Dedication	Holy Cross
Architecture
Architect(s)	Vicente Acero, Gaspar Cayón and others
Style	Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical
Years built	1722—1838
Administration
Metropolis	Seville
Diocese	Cádiz and Ceuta

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross over the Waters (Spanish: Catedral de Santa Cruz sobre las Aguas) is a very important Catholic church in Cádiz, a city in southern Spain. It is the main church for the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta. A diocese is like a church district led by a bishop. This amazing building was constructed over many years, from 1722 to 1838. In 1931, it was recognized as a special historical monument in Spain, called a Bien de Interés Cultural.

The cathedral is located in a busy area called Plaza de la Catedral. Right next to it, you can also find the Baroque Santiago church, which was built much earlier in 1635.

Why Was a New Cathedral Built?
- The "Cathedral of The Americas"
- A Long Building Project
What Can You See Inside?
- Chapels and History
- Famous People Buried Here
Amazing Views from the Tower
Gallery
See also

Why Was a New Cathedral Built?

The "Cathedral of The Americas"

Cádiz Cathedral is sometimes called "The Cathedral of The Americas." This is because it was built using money that came from the busy trade between Spain and the Americas. The 1700s were a very successful time for Cádiz. The city was growing fast, and its older cathedral, Santa Cruz, was too small for all the people and wealth. So, a new, much larger cathedral was needed.

A Long Building Project

Building the new cathedral took a very long time, 116 years in total! It started in 1722 and finished in 1838. The first person to design the church was an architect named Vicente Acero. He had also worked on the famous Granada Cathedral.

However, Acero left the project, and many other architects took over after him. Because of this, the cathedral's design changed quite a bit over the years. It started with a Baroque style, which is known for being grand and dramatic. Then, some parts were built in the Rococo style, which is lighter and more decorative. Finally, it was completed in the Neoclassical style, which looks back to ancient Greek and Roman designs. This mix of styles makes the cathedral very unique!

What Can You See Inside?

Chapels and History

Inside the cathedral, there are many small chapels. These chapels hold beautiful paintings and special items called relics. Many of these treasures came from the old cathedral or from other monasteries across Spain.

Famous People Buried Here

The cathedral also has a crypt, which is an underground room often used for burials. Two famous people from Cádiz are buried in this crypt:

Manuel de Falla: A well-known composer who created beautiful music.
José María Pemán: A talented poet and playwright.

Amazing Views from the Tower

One of the towers of Cádiz Cathedral is called Levante Tower. You can climb up this tower and enjoy amazing views of the city and the port from high above. It's a great way to see Cádiz from a different perspective!