Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza |
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Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza
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La Seo at night
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Catholic |
| Province | Archdiocese of Zaragoza |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral |
| Year consecrated | 1318 |
| Location | |
| Location | Zaragoza, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iv) |
| Designated | 2001 (25th session) |
| Parent listing | Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon |
| Reference no. | 378-010 |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| 3 June 1931 | |
| RI-51-0001028 | |
The Cathedral of the Savior, also known as La Seo de Zaragoza, is a beautiful Catholic cathedral in the city of Zaragoza, Spain. It is so special that it's part of a World Heritage Site called the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon.
The cathedral is often called La Seo, which means "the see" in the old Aragonese language. A "see" is the official home of a bishop. This helps people tell it apart from the other major church in the city, the El Pilar. Both churches are so important that they share the status of co-cathedral for Zaragoza.
Contents
A Place of Worship for Centuries
The spot where La Seo stands has been an important place for a very long time. It all started with the ancient Roman city of Caesaraugusta.
From Roman Temple to Mosque
Long ago, this location was the center of the Roman city, called the forum. The forum was like a big public square with markets and the main temple.
Later, when Muslims ruled the area, they built the city's main mosque on this same spot. The mosque was built by Hanas ben Abdallah as San'ani, a student of one of Mohammed's companions. It was one of the oldest mosques in Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain). The mosque was expanded twice over the centuries. When the cathedral was restored in 1999, workers found parts of the old mosque's floor and tower.
Becoming a Christian Cathedral
In 1118, the Christian king Alfonso I conquered Zaragoza. He gave the Muslims a year to leave the city. In 1121, the mosque was officially turned into a Christian church called San Salvador (Saint Savior).
The old mosque was eventually torn down to build a new cathedral. Construction on this new church began in 1140 in the Romanesque style, which featured thick stone walls and rounded arches. For centuries, this cathedral was where the kings of Aragon were crowned. The king would spend the night before his coronation at the Aljafería palace and then travel to La Seo for the ceremony.
A Mix of Amazing Styles
La Seo is famous because it's not built in just one style. Over hundreds of years, different people added to it, creating a unique mix of architecture.
- Romanesque: The oldest parts of the cathedral are from the 12th century. You can still see the original rounded ends of the church, called apses, on the outside.
- Gothic: In the 14th century, the church was rebuilt to be taller and more elegant in the Gothic style. This style is known for its pointed arches and large windows.
- Mudéjar: This is a special style found only in Spain. It was created by Muslim craftsmen who stayed in Spain after the Christian reconquest. They used brick and colorful ceramic tiles to create beautiful geometric patterns. The outer wall of the San Miguel chapel and a dome built in 1376 are amazing examples of Mudéjar art.
- Renaissance: During the Renaissance period (15th-16th centuries), a new dome shaped like a papal tiara (the Pope's crown) was added. The main altarpiece, a huge, detailed sculpture behind the altar, was also created during this time.
- Baroque: The tall, fancy bell tower was built in the Baroque style between 1686 and 1704. This style is known for being very grand and decorative.
- Neoclassical: The main entrance you see today was built in the 18th century. It has a simpler, more classical look inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art.
What's Inside the Cathedral?
The inside of La Seo is just as impressive as the outside. It is filled with art and history.
The Main Altarpiece
One of the most stunning features is the main altarpiece. It is dedicated to the Savior, Jesus Christ. It was carved mostly from alabaster, a soft, white stone, between 1434 and 1480. Artists like Pere Johan and Hans de Suabia worked on this masterpiece, which is considered one of the greatest examples of Gothic sculpture in Europe.
Chapels and Tombs
The cathedral has many small chapels along its sides. Each one is like a mini-church with its own art and history. Some were built as private chapels for wealthy families or as funeral chapels for archbishops.
One famous event happened here in 1485. A church official named Pedro de Arbués, who was also a leader of the Spanish Inquisition, was attacked and killed in the cathedral. The Inquisition was a powerful court that was not popular in Aragon. Arbués was later made a saint, and his tomb is in one of the chapels.
The Choir and Organ
In the center of the cathedral is the choir area, which has 117 beautifully carved oak seats for the church singers. The large pipe organ is also amazing. It has parts that date all the way back to a Gothic organ from 1469.
The Tapestry Museum
La Seo is also home to a world-famous museum of Flemish tapestries. These are huge, woven pictures that tell stories. The collection has tapestries from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries and is one of the best in the world.
Images for kids
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The rounded Romanesque apse with later Mudéjar and Gothic additions on top.
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A view of the two apses from the front.
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This painting from 1647 shows the city of Zaragoza. You can see the cathedral's dome in the center.
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The cathedral's main facade, dome, and bell tower show a mix of different architectural styles.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral del Salvador (Zaragoza) para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
- Aljafería
- History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes
