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Granada Cathedral |
The Cathedral is located in the centre
of the Muslim area and dates back to 1523. It has a nave and four
aisles, a crossing and circular apse. Alonso Cano built the main
façade with sculptures by Duque Cornejo, Risueño and
Verdiguier while the only tower of the two planned ended up half
finished. On the northern side, there is La Puerta del Perdón,
a magnificent work of Diego de Siloé who also built La Puerta
de San Jerónimo. The chancel is not only stunning, but includes
skilful architectural solutions provided by Siloé. Its circular
plan and great height contain semi-circular arches upon which a
double series of balconies rest.
The glass windows of the upper part add light and
colour to the whole. Medrano and Mena sculpted the statues of the
Catholic Monarchs and Alonso Cano the busts of Adam and Eve. The
side chapels contain marvellous works of art. In the sacristy, there
is a figure of Christ by Martinez Montañes, an Annunciation
and a valued image of the Virgin Mary by Alonso Cano, together with
other valuable objects of the Cathedral Museum and Treasure.
The Church of El Sagrario, the Episcopal Palace
and the Episcopal Curia flank the square.
Royal Hospital
This hospital was founded by the Catholic Monarchs
has a Renaissance façade with Plateresque decoration and
a Baroque portico as well as beautiful courtyards and coffered ceilings.
The Royal Chapel
The Catholic Monarchs founded the Royal Chapel for
their own tombs. It was started in 1505 following a design by Enrique
Egas and was completed in 1521. The northern façade is Gothic
Isabeline and years later became part of the above-mentioned cathedral.
Its façade is by Garcia Pradas and provides access to the
interior, a plan in the shape of a Latin cross with four side chapels.
The crossing with the royal mausoleums is separated
from the rest of the nave by a wrought iron screen, a real work
of art by Master Bartolomé. The tomb of the Catholic Monarchs
on the right was built by Doménico Fancelli, on the left
by Bartolomé Ordoñez using carrara marble. The chapel
has a museum in the sacristy with paintings by Memling, van der
Weyden, Botticelli and Berruguete. The paintings belonged to the
collection of Queen Isabel whose crown and sceptre, together with
King Fernando's sword are kept here.
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