Segorbe Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Assumption of Our LadyCatedral de la Asunción de la Virgen |
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View of the façade of the Cathedral of Segorbe.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral, minor basilica |
| Leadership | B. Casimiro López Llorente |
| Year consecrated | 1534 |
| Location | |
| Location | Segorbe, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Valencian Gothic, Neoclassical |
| Groundbreaking | 1246 |
| Completed | 17th century |
| Official name: Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción | |
| Designated | 24 September 2002 |
| Reference no. | (R.I.)-51-0009270 |
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of Segorbe (Spanish: Catedral de la Asunción de la Virgen) is a beautiful church in Segorbe, a town in Spain. It's the main church for the Diocese of Segorbe-Castellon. In 1985, it was given the special title of a minor basilica. This means it's an important church with special ties to the Pope.
A Look Back in Time
The Segorbe Cathedral has a long and interesting history. It was built right next to the city's old walls. The church was once a mosque, but it was completely rebuilt in 1246. This new building was made in the Valencian Gothic style, which means it had tall, pointed arches and large windows. No parts of the old Arab building remain today.
From the 13th-century church, we can still see parts of the western front. Also, some of the arched ceilings in the chapels are original. The strong main walls, the Santa Barbara tower, and the bell tower are also from that time. The cloister, which is an open courtyard surrounded by covered walkways, also remains.
The church was officially opened on May 7, 1534. It has one main hall, called a nave, with a cross-vaulted ceiling. This means the ceiling has arches that cross each other. There is no transept, which is the part of a cross-shaped church that crosses the main nave. There is also no dome. Small chapels are built between the strong outer walls, called buttresses. A bridge connects the church to the old bishop's palace.
The bell tower is very solid and has a square shape. It looks simple, like buildings from the Romanesque period. It stands about 36 meters (118 feet) tall. The Gothic cloister has a unique trapezoid shape and two levels. The bottom level was built in the 14th or 15th century. The upper level was added later, in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The main front of the church was built in 1665.
In the 16th century, the area around the main altar, called the presbytery, was updated. This was done in the Renaissance style, which brought back ideas from ancient Rome and Greece. The main altar itself was added in 1530. It was designed by an artist named Vicente Juan Masip. The church also has beautiful paintings on its walls by Luis Planes.
The church was renovated again between 1791 and 1795. This time, it was changed to the Neo-classic style. This new style covered up most of the older Gothic parts. The main hall was made longer, and new altars were added.
Cathedral Museum
The Cathedral has a museum that displays many artworks. These pieces were created by artists from the local area and other countries. The collection includes art from the International Gothic period and 15th-century Flemish painting. There are also works from the 16th-century Valencian school and more recent art.
Some famous artists whose works are in the museum include Jaume Mateu. He created the St. Jerome Altarpiece around 1450. You can also see two altarpieces from the 16th century by Vicente Juan Masip and his son Juan. The museum even has a work that is believed to be by the famous Italian artist Donatello.
Images for kids
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An altarpiece inside the Cathedral.
