THE CATHEDRAL (Download PDF)

SIf we had to define the Cathedral of Murcia in one word perhaps it would be HUELLAS (footprints), as this was the name of the important exhibition which took place during the first half of the year 2002. However, above all, this is the best name because of the Cathedral's past -as there is nothing better than this extraordinary building to reflect the memory, time, art and history of Murcia- and also its present and future. For the Murcians the name is apt as they love and feel proud of the cathedral -and for the visitors, because it leaves an unforgettable image in their minds.

The building was constructed on the land occupied by the old Arabic mosque. In 1385, the foundations were laid, in 1388 the first stone was laid, and in 1394 the new building was under way, and finished in October 1467. The passing of the centuries have brought together different styles: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, which, with their own features, have turned the cathedral into an eclectic work.

The bell tower (1521-1791) is 90 metres high (95 with the weathervane), with each of the five parts which make it up measuring a different width. It is a magnificent and harmonious meeting of diverse styles. Francisco and Jacobo Florentino were the masterminds behind the first part, which is square and in the Renaissance style, with Hispanic Plateresque ornamentation. The second part, completed by Jerónimo Quijano, proceeds from a more purist phase of the same style. The third part is in the Baroque style, the body of the bell tower is Rococo and the final domed part has a neo-classical touch and was designed by Ventura Rodriguez. In the fourth part, the so-called "conjuratorios", from which the storms were invoked with the "Lignum Crucis", stand out.

The bells, with the exception of the so-called "Mora" (XIV century), which is kept in the museum of "Bellas Artes", are from the XVII and XVIII centuries. They all have a name: "la de los Conjuros", "la Catalana", "la de la oración", "la Fuensanta", "la Concepción", "la Segundilla"… the most important of these being the largest, Ageda Martillo. The 25 bells have served us since time immemorial to warn the Murcians of the terrible floods and wars, but also to remind them of celebrations, happiness and holidays.

The interior is mainly Gothic, with a layout of three naves, an apse surrounded by a nave and chapels. These chapels are dedicated to the patron saints of the different guilds, and tombs of the bishops and nobles who collaborated or promoted their construction. Of the 23 chapels, the Chapel of Girola, known as "Los Vélez" is particularly noteworthy. It is built in the "Flamígero" Gothic style and has an impressive dome forming a ten-pointed star. The chapel of "Junterones", one of the largest Spanish Renaissance works, and the baroque chapel of "La Inmaculada" also stand out, as do the Plateresque masonry of the choir, the area behind the choir, the doorway of the antesacristy, etc. In the main altar, the heart and entrails of Alfonso X are kept, according to his will as proof of his love of Murcia and gratitude for the loyalty shown to him by the city.


The outside

The door of the Apostles (Puerta de los Apóstoles), 1488, Diego Sánchez de Almazán. Built in a Gothic style, its name comes from the sculptures of the four apostles on the door jambs. There is a shield in honour of Queen Isabel the Catholic.

The chapel of the "Marqués de los Vélez" is outstanding. In the shape of a polygon, it is adorned by the coat of arms of the "Chacones" and the "Fajardos", held by two wild men. The stone chain, which runs around the chapel is also remarkable.

The Door of the Chains (Puerta de las Cadenas): made of two parts, the lower part from the XVI century and the upper part from the XVIII century. In the Renaissance facade, there are three reliefs of the brothers San Leandro, San Isidro and San Fulgencio.

The main facade: an exceptionally beautiful jewel of the international baroque style, it is like the front of an altarpiece, bringing together originality and synthesis of the typical baroque concepts. Unique in its genre, it was raised with the initiative of the cathedral council, the help of Cardinal Belluga -Cardinal in Rome and a great benefactor of the city- and the intervention of the crown and it was carried out by Jaime Bort in the Baroque-Rococo style.

The Exaltation of the Virgin Mary -who the temple is dedicated to, and the glorification of the church come together in the impressive imafront. It consists of two horizontal parts divided by great Corinthian columns on high pedestals, with an enormous central exedra and three vertical aisles each of which has a door.

The central niche of the Coronation of the Virgin stands out, as do the large window of the second part, the upper relief of the Assumption, the figures of the four Saints of Cartagena (Fulgencio, Leandro, Isidoro y Florentina), the statue of Fernando III, the Saint…
A catalogue in stone of the history and art of Murcia, "Murcia is the Cathedral, the Cathedral is Murcia, without one the other is impossible".

www.diocesisdecartagena.org/historia_patrimonio/catedral/catedral.htm