Vicente Acero facts for kids
.jpg)
Vicente Acero y Arebo (born around 1675 or 1680 – died 1739) was a very important Spanish architect. He was known for his work in the Baroque style, which is a fancy and dramatic way of building. He helped design and build several big cathedrals in Spain.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Vicente Acero was born in a place called Cabárceno, in Cantabria, Spain. This was around the years 1675 or 1680. He learned how to be an architect from a famous teacher named Francisco Hurtado Izquierdo. Acero really admired another architect named Diego de Siloe, and he often worked in a similar style.
Amazing Cathedrals and Buildings
Vicente Acero worked on many impressive buildings. His most famous projects were the cathedrals in:
He didn't just build churches! He also designed other important structures:
- The palace for the Dukes of Medinaceli in Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (built in 1724).
- A special shrine at the Santa Maria de El Paular monastery in Rascafría, Madrid.
- The collegiate church of San Sebastián in Antequera (finished in 1738).
The Story of Cádiz Cathedral
One of the most interesting projects Vicente Acero worked on was the Cádiz Cathedral. This huge church is also known as Catedral de Santa Cruz de Cádiz. It's a Roman Catholic church located in Cádiz, southern Spain.
The building of this cathedral took a very long time – from 1722 all the way to 1838! That's 116 years! Because it took so long, many different architects worked on it, and the design changed over time.
How the Cathedral Changed Styles
The original plan for Cádiz Cathedral was to be completely in the Baroque style, which was popular when construction started. However, as the years passed, new styles became popular. So, the cathedral ended up having parts that are:
- Baroque: The original dramatic and decorative style.
- Rococo: A lighter, more playful style that came after Baroque.
- Neoclassical: A style that looked back to ancient Greek and Roman designs, which was popular when the cathedral was finally finished.
This mix of styles makes Cádiz Cathedral very unique!
Inside the Cathedral
Inside the cathedral, you can find many chapels. These chapels hold beautiful paintings and important relics (special items) that came from older cathedrals and monasteries all over Spain.
The crypt, which is an underground room, is the resting place for some famous people born in Cádiz. These include the composer Manuel de Falla and the poet and playwright José María Pemán.
You can even visit one of the towers, called Poniente Tower. From the top, you get amazing views of the whole city of Cádiz!
Later Life and Death
Vicente Acero died in Seville in 1739. At the time of his death, he was working on the design for the Royal Tobacco Factory, another important building project.
See also
- In Spanish: Vicente Acero para niños
