New Cathedral of Salamanca facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids New Cathedral of Salamanca Catedral Nueva de Salamanca
Tower and dome of the New Cathedral.
Religion
Affiliation	Catholic Church
Location
Location	Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain
Architecture
Architectural type	Cathedral church
Architectural style	Late Gothic, Plateresque, Baroque
General contractor	(1513–1733)

Plateresque South facade

The New Cathedral of Salamanca (its full name is Catedral de la Asunción de la Virgen) is one of two cathedrals in Salamanca, Spain. It stands next to the Old Cathedral. This amazing building is the main church for the diocese of Salamanca.

Construction started in 1513 and finished in 1733. It mixes different building styles like late Gothic, Plateresque, and Baroque. King Ferdinand V of Castile asked for it to be built. It is one of the biggest cathedrals in Spain. Its bell tower is 92 meters (about 300 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest.

History of the New Cathedral

Plateresque Western facade

The New Cathedral was built between 1513 and 1733. Builders decided to keep the Old Cathedral instead of tearing it down. This meant people could still use the old church while the new one was being built.

When the new cathedral was finished in the 1700s, they decided to keep the old one too. The New Cathedral's south wall actually rests on the Old Cathedral's north wall. This part of the old church had to be made stronger. The new cathedral's tower was also built right over the bell tower of the Old Cathedral.

The idea for a new cathedral came up in the 1400s. Salamanca was growing, especially because of the popular University. The Old Cathedral seemed "small, dark, and low" back then. King Ferdinand the Catholic supported the idea. In 1509, he asked famous architects to design the new church.

After many talks, the cathedral was designed to be parallel to the old one. It was built using freestone from Villamayor in the Gothic architecture style. It has a rectangular shape with three main sections (naves) and two side chapels. The first stone was laid in 1512.

Work stopped for most of the 1600s because there wasn't enough money. It started again in the 1700s and was completed in 1733.

The Great Earthquake

The cathedral was badly damaged by the Lisbon earthquake on November 1, 1755. This huge earthquake caused cracks and broke many stained-glass windows. The dome had to be rebuilt by Juan de Sagarvinaga. The bell tower also needed to be made stronger. It was leaning and looked like it might fall.

Architects suggested tearing it down, but Baltasar Dreveton found a way to save it. He suggested wrapping it with strong chains and covering it with stone. This is why the tower looks the way it does today, leaning slightly. Every year on October 31, a tradition called "Mariquelo" remembers this earthquake.

Changes from War

Around 1812, the French army destroyed buildings north of the cathedral. This created the Plaza de Anaya. It also showed off the north side of the cathedral, which wasn't meant to be seen so clearly. This is why many photos of the cathedral are taken from this side.

The New Cathedral was named a national monument in 1887. In 1999, it became a Protected Environment.

New Cathedral of Salamanca and Roman Bridge in 1878.
New Cathedral of Salamanca in 1895.
New cathedral of Salamanca between 1880-1926.
Western facade of the New cathedral of Salamanca, in 1890.
A family posing at the entrance in 1984.
View of the facade.

What Makes the Cathedral Special?

Plan of the New cathedral of Salamanca.

The New Cathedral of Salamanca is one of the last two cathedrals in Spain built in the Gothic style. It was built from the 1500s to the 1700s, keeping its Gothic look. However, in the 1700s, two new parts were added that changed its style. These were a Baroque dome over the center and the top parts of the bell tower. The bell tower is 93 meters (about 305 feet) tall.

The inside of the cathedral looks a lot like the Cathedral of Seville. Even though the side sections (naves) are not as tall as the central one, the church feels very big and bright. This is because of how tall it is and how the space is designed.

Instead of a triforium (a gallery common in older churches), this cathedral has two upper walkways. These walkways go all around the cathedral at two different heights. This makes the side aisles seem even taller. The pillars inside support the weight of the ceilings, called vaults. These vaults have many different patterns, making them very beautiful and complex.

The tower seen at night

The New Cathedral has three main sections (naves) and two extra chapels. These chapels were finished in 1520 by Juan Gil de Hontañón and Juan de Álava. Later, Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón became the master builder.

The original dome was built by Joaquín de Churriguera in 1725. It was similar to the dome of the Cathedral of Burgos. But the earthquake of 1755 cracked it. A new, more modern-looking dome was then built by Juan de Sagarvinaga. This is the dome you see today.

Main Chapel

Gothic vault of the Main Chapel

The Main Chapel is rectangular and has a beautiful, colorful ceiling (vault). It doesn't have a large altarpiece (a decorated screen behind the altar). The one that was there was taken down in 1743.

Above the altar, there is a crimson velvet cloth. On it is a statue of the Virgin of the Assumption from 1624. Angels made by Francisco Sánchez are also there. You can also see marble and jasper decorations by Simón Gavilán Tomé from 1750. Silver containers hold the remains of Saint John of Sahagún and Saint Thomas of Villanova.

Choir

The choir area was built between 1730 and 1740 by Joaquín de Churriguera. The wooden seats, called choir stalls, were made by several artists. The beautiful metal screens (grilles) that close off the choir and the Main Chapel were made by Duperier.

Organs

Choir stalls

The New Cathedral has two large organs:

The Epistle Organ: This organ is from the 1500s and has a Renaissance style.
The Gospel Organ: This organ was built in 1744. It was changed in the 1800s. In 1992, with help from the Japanese monarchy, it was restored. It now has its original sound and an electric system for its air pumps.

Interesting Side Chapels and Altars

Gothic central nave of the New cathedral

North side nave

The side chapels were all designed in a similar way. They have an area for an altar or altarpiece. The other walls have arched spaces (arcosolios) where people were originally buried. Each chapel has a unique star-shaped ceiling (vault). The metal screens (grilles) that close them off are all different. Some altars also have colorful azulejos (painted tiles).

Here are some of the notable chapels:

Chapel of San Clemente

This chapel has paintings of the Virgin del Socorro and Saint Clement. From this chapel, you can go out onto a terrace above the main entrance.

Chapel of Nuestra. Señora de la Verdad

This chapel is named after a story where the image of the Virgin Mary supposedly witnessed a disagreement between a Christian and a Jew. The Virgin statue, from the 1100s, was later re-carved and painted.

Altar of the Christ of the Redeeming Agony

This altar is in the north part of the church. The statue of Christ on the cross is very striking. It's an old work from the 1400s. It shows Christ with three nails, very realistic skin, and even visible veins. He is shown as dead, with open eyes and a slightly open mouth. It has real hair, which makes it look even more lifelike. This statue is carried in a procession during Holy Week in Salamanca. At the bottom of the cross are bones and a skull, which are said to represent Adam.

Chapel of the Virgin of la Cabeza

This chapel has a Gothic statue of the Virgin sitting with the Child. It also holds the "la Borriquilla" group of statues. This group is carried in a procession on Palm Sunday.

Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

Chapel of la Soledad during Easter.

This chapel has a Baroque altarpiece by Joaquín de Churriguera. It holds a statue of Our Lady of Solitude from 1941, made by Mariano Benlliure. This statue is also carried in a procession during Holy Week in Salamanca.

Chapel of the Christ of the Battles

This chapel holds a very old statue of the Christ of the Battles. It's from the early 1100s. Legend says that Bishop Jerome of Périgord carried this statue with El Cid during battles against the Muslims. The altarpiece around the Christ statue was made by Alberto de Churriguera in the 1700s.

Chapel of los Dolores or del Santísimo

This chapel has a Neoclassical altarpiece designed by Juan de Sagarvinaga. It features a beautiful statue of the Pietà (Mary holding the dead Christ) by Luis Salvador Carmona from 1760. This statue is known for its calm expression and realistic details. It is also carried in a procession during Holy Week in Salamanca.

Chapel of la Virgen del Desagravio

This chapel is special because it has one of the first altarpieces in Spain to use twisted columns. It was built in 1664 to honor a painting of the Immaculate Conception. This painting had been damaged by someone who disagreed with the idea of Mary's Immaculate Conception.

Chapel of la Virgen de Morales or de San Bartolomé

Retrochoir.

This chapel used to connect the New and Old Cathedrals. It has a painting of the Virgin with the Child and Saint John by Luis de Morales. Another painting by the same artist, showing Ecce Homo, is also here. This chapel also holds the statue of the Recumbent Christ of Mercy, which is carried in a Holy Week procession.

The Golden Chapel or of All Saints

Golden Chapel, also known as the chapel of All Saints

This chapel was built in 1515. Its walls are covered with about 110 golden statues. This is why it's called the Golden Chapel! These statues show people from the Old and New Testaments, like apostles, saints, and prophets. There are even statues of Adam and Eve. A unique detail is the image of death in a niche, with a toad between its legs. A beautiful scene of Calvary (Christ on the cross) is at the altar. The altar itself is decorated with colorful Talavera de la Reina tiles.

Chapel of San Lorenzo

This chapel has an altarpiece with a carving of Saint Lawrence's martyrdom. From this chapel, you can enter the Old Cathedral of Salamanca.

Architectural Style

Azulejos in the Golden Chapel from the Talavera de la Reina pottery.

The New Cathedral was started when the Gothic style was changing into the new Renaissance style. This mix created the Plateresque style in Spain. However, the cathedral kept more of its Gothic look. This was because the church leaders wanted it to blend in with the old cathedral.

So, the new cathedral was built in the Gothic style through the 1600s and 1700s. But in the 1700s, two parts were added that stood out. These were a Baroque cupola (dome) over the center and the top parts of the bell tower (92 meters tall).

The new cathedral was built without destroying the old one. But one wall of the new cathedral leans on the north wall of the old one. Because of this, the old cathedral had to be made stronger. The bell tower of the new cathedral was built on top of the old one. Two of the main architects were Juan Gil de Hontañón and his son Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón.

The main entrance has three beautifully decorated arches. Each arch leads into one of the three main sections (naves) of the church.

1992 Restoration: The Astronaut!

Astronaut sculpture

Astronaut. On the Puerta de Ramos (north door), you can find a very unusual carving: an astronaut! This figure was carved into the stone in 1992 by stonemason Miguel Romero. It's a tradition to add a modern element during restorations. The door was being repaired because it had worn down over time. In 2010, the astronaut's right arm was broken by vandals.
Other ornaments. Below the astronaut, you can see a lynx. To its right is a bull. Below the bull, there's a dragon holding a three-ball ice cream cone and smiling! Further right, near the door, are three more figures: a crayfish, a stork, and a hare. These represent water, sky, and earth in Salamanca.

Images for kids

Chapel of the Virgin of the Pilar
Romanesque Christ of the Battles, made in the 12th century.
Chapel of San José