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 Cádiz Cathedral is a large and beautiful Catholic church in Cádiz, a city in southern Spain. Its full name is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross over the Waters (which in Spanish is Catedral de Santa Cruz sobre las Aguas). This important building is the main church for the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta.

Building the cathedral took a very long time, from 1722 to 1838. Because of its historical importance, it was named a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931. This means it's a protected historical site in Spain. The cathedral stands in a main square called Plaza de la Catedral, right next to another old church called Santiago church, which was built in 1635.

Why Cádiz Cathedral is Special
How the Cathedral Was Built
Famous People Buried Here
Climb the Levante Tower
Gallery
See also

Why Cádiz Cathedral is Special

The Cádiz Cathedral was often called "The Cathedral of The Americas." This is because much of the money used to build it came from the busy trade between Spain and the Americas. The 18th century was a very rich time for Cádiz. The city's old cathedral, Santa Cruz, was too small for this new, wealthy era. So, they decided to build a much bigger and grander one.

How the Cathedral Was Built

The construction of the new cathedral began in 1722. The first architect who designed it was Vicente Acero. He had also designed the famous Granada Cathedral. However, Acero left the project before it was finished. Many other architects took over the work after him.

Because so many different architects worked on it over 116 years, the cathedral's design changed a lot. It started with a Baroque style, which is known for being very grand and detailed. Then, some Rococo elements were added, which are lighter and more decorative. Finally, it was completed in the Neoclassical style, which is simpler and inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

Inside the cathedral, you can find many chapels. These chapels hold beautiful paintings and special items. Many of these treasures came from the old cathedral and other monasteries across Spain.

Famous People Buried Here

The cathedral has a special underground area called a crypt. Two famous people from Cádiz are buried there:

Manuel de Falla: A well-known composer.
José María Pemán: A famous poet and playwright.

Climb the Levante Tower

One of the best parts of visiting the Cádiz Cathedral is climbing the Levante Tower. This tower is open to the public. From the top, you can see amazing panoramic views of the entire city of Cádiz and its port. It's a great way to see the city from above!