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.ht
