Guide to Malaga's 16thC Cathedral
The Magnificent Graeco-Roman style Catedral de Malaga in Spain
Oct 14, 2008
The Cathedral stands in the heart of the old city of Malaga in Spain’s Andalucia, surrounded by narrow winding streets crowded with enticingly cool bars and street cafes. It’s within easy walking distance of other Malaga attractions, including the Alcazaba Palace, the Picasso Museum and the Roman Amphitheatre. The Cathedral is celebrated not only for the splendour of its architecture and richly ornate interior, but also for its lopsided appearance, resulting from the failure to finish building its planned second tower. This gives rise to it’s local name “ La Manquita” - “the One Armed Lady”.
History of Malaga Cathedral
Building started on the site of a Moorish Mosque in 1528, forty one years after Malaga fell to Los Reyes Catolicos in the closing stages of the Reconquest. Work went slowly. This first phase consisting of the North Entrance and the central cruciform around the High Altar lasted a full century, and was followed by a hundred year pause.
Further building, extending the Cathedral to its present size, and adding the magnificent West Façade and entrance, began in the 18th century, and in 1764 the two parts were joined.
However, the tower to the right of the West Façade was never completed. There are many local legends to explain La Manquita’s unbalanced appearance. One, which can clearly be ruled out on the basis of dates alone, holds that the money was diverted to pay for a Crusade. Other versions claim that the money was used to support the American colonists in their War of Independence, to build new roads to Antequera and Velez Malaga - or was simply embezzled.
Architecture of the Cathedral
The East and South walls are relatively unadorned, but impressive for their siaze and the impression of huge strength.
The North Façade and Entrance
La Puerta de Las Cadenas North Entrance passes through a large arch flanked by two massive portals “los Cubillos”. Representing the portals of heaven these are decorated with carvings of holy scenes and images.
This façade mainly dates to the original 16th Century building.
The West Entrance and Façade
This is the most elaborate and impressive approach to the Cathedral, dating to the 18th century.
A great flight of balustered steps sweep up to the entrance level. Here, there is a large central arch, topped by an ornate carved medallion and flanked by marble pillars and further stone pillars. Two similar but slightly smaller arches stand on either side.
Above the entrance are three huge panels of arched windows.
On either side of the facade stand the cathedral’s two massive square towers, the left tower soaring up to a domed pinnacle, the right hand one unfinished and amputated level with the top of the main building.
The Old Mosque
The simple square building of the original Mosque stands alongside the North entrance, and is used as a chapel.
The Interior of the Cathedral
The large, cool area of the central Choir and Naves contains a series of massive and ornate marble pillars supporting the eight richly carved and painted domes which make up th cathedral roof.
The High Altar, raised high above floor of the Choir and Naves, is surmounted by a white marble domed tabernacle in classical Roman style, topped by a figure representing Faith.
Surrounding the Naves are 14 Side Chapels, some resplendent in colour and gold leaf , others sombre and brooding.
In the Cathedral are a number of famous paintings and statues, and a memorial to some of the Malagenos killed in the Spanish Civil War.
Otheric Historic Buildings in Malaga
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