Lugo Cathedral

Lugo, Spain

Saint Mary's Cathedral in Lugo was erected in the early 12th century in a Romanesque style, with Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassicist elements.

A church existed in the site from 755. In 1129 Bishop Peter III commissioned a new edifice in the latest architectural style from Raimundo, a local architect and builder. This Romanesque structure was completed in 1273.

Later renovations and restorations added elements in other styles, such as the Renaissance retablo at the high altar. It was destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and fragments of it are housed in the church.

Architecture

The cathedral has a Latin Cross structure, with a length of 85 m. It has a nave, covered by a barrel vault, and two aisles, with an ambulatory and five apse chapels. The triforium features triple ogival mullioned windows. The apse houses a calvary sculpture from an unknown date.

The façade is a Renaissance design by Julián Sánchez Bort inspired by a plan proposed by Ventura Rodríguez for the Cathedral of Pamplona. Its construction was finished in the late 19th century, with the completion of the two side towers.

The northern entrance's narthex is in Gothic style, dating to 1510-1530. Internally showing a starred vault, it is formed by three archivolts with a lintel showing Christ Pantocrator and with a pinjante (glove-shaped decorative pendant) that features a depiction of the Last Supper.

To the right of the entrance is the Gothic Torre Vella (bell tower), surmounted by a Renaissance top floor finished by Gaspar de Arce in 1580. The sacristy (1678) and the cloister (1714) are in the Baroque style, as is the central chapel of the triforium (1726). The chapel of St. Froilán is in Renaissance style, dating to the 17th century. Notable is the choir, built by Francisco de Moure (early 17th century).

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Address

Praza Santa María 1, Lugo, Spain
See all sites in Lugo

Details

Founded: 1129
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dale Buckton (6 months ago)
Wow! Amazing cathedral. Wonderful guided tour. Interesting museum. Don’t miss it!
r1ca3d0_ h (13 months ago)
Beautiful cathedral. The time I visited was quiet and there were not many people around. The entrance was free.
Vista Artista (13 months ago)
Need to buy a ticket to enter. Not allowed take photos inside. You can join misa by its schedule, if misa is going, need to wait for it, but you can visit meseum at first. I enjoied the moment inside, felt peace and quiet even I am not a believer.
deckywalsh1 (15 months ago)
This is a magnificent Cathedral with beautiful towers and a magnificent bell tower. The bells are rang on Easter Sunday and on Corpus Christi Sunday. It is possible to enter one of the towers of the Cathedral under special circumstances through the guided tours, which boasts breathtaking views over Lugo. The marvelous work of Architect Fernando Casas Novoa is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Big Eyes, a beautiful circular chapel to the rear of the cathedral, and faces Lugo's Main Square. The cathedral is a must visit. The exterior architecture of the cathedral is spectacular, both inside and outside.
Stuart McCleane (2 years ago)
Romanic cathedral that dominates the south western side of the walled city and is certainly well worth a visit. It has an impressive main altar as well as some interesting chapels and you can also visit the cloister. Don't miss the small museum upstairs that exhibits religious paintings and artefacts including some exquisitely carved crosses.
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