Cathedral of Segovia

View from the Plaza Mayor

Method of Transportation: Walking

Transportation Time: Approximately 4 Minutes

Hours: 

     Monday - Saturday: 

     October - March 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

     April - September 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

     Sundays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Cost: 

     $4.09/€3

     Groups over 20 $2.73/€2

     Free on Sunday

The Cathedral of Segovia is one of the Segovia’s iconic structures. Located in the Plaza Mayor, construction of the cathedral began in 1525 to replace the old cathedral that had been destroyed in 1520[1]. Not consecrated until 1768, the cathedral is the last Gothic age cathedral built in Spain[2].  Due to its longevity, it  has a combination of both late Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Architecture

There are many key features of the cathedral that can be seen from the outside. At the main entrance from the Plaza Mayor is located the statue of the Virgin Mary. The entrance is known as “Puerta del Perdon,” or “Door of Forgiveness[3].”  There is an outer area extending from the cathedral, along with the tower. The tower was used as the home of the bell ringer until the mid-20^th century and today requires special permission to access[4]. The cathedral itself stands one hundred and five meters by fifty meters long and is thirty-three meters high at its tallest point, the center part of the church[5]. With its impressive size and height, the cathedral is one of the most recognizable structures in the Plaza Mayor. The central point is surrounded by “buttresses and pinnacles of ornate Gothic limestone,” which reflect its 16^th century origin[6].

"Puerta del Perdón"or Door of Forgiveness

Once inside the cathedral, photographs are not allowed unless in the outside walkway. Artifacts are sensitive to light, which can cause deterioration of the artifact. Deterioration is defined as when an “object reaches a state of physical and chemical equilibrium with its immediate environment,” and occurs inevitably[7]. It is important to preserve these artifacts and allowing photographs can cause damage over time. The artifacts must have consistently maintained light, temperature, and relative humidity in order to be properly conserved; inadequate light levels can cause physical and chemical deterioration to artifacts[8]. Specific to the cathedral are a number of old books, paintings, and tapestries that are extremely light-sensitive.

Inside the Late-Gothic Cloister

Inside, the cathedral is surrounded by historic artifacts. The inside of the cathedral alone includes eighteen chapels and an archive that contain various artifacts from various centuries, reflecting the history of Segovia. Some of these artifacts include 16^th century hymn books and tapestries, “el Cristo Yacente” or the Recumbent Christ statue by Gregorio Fernández, and two full size baroque pipe organs[9]. The 16^th century stain glass windows and altarpiece display the history of the prominent Catholic culture of Segovia. The archives of the cathedral also contain and preserve over five hundred early printed books, including Sinodal de Aguilafuente, which was the first book printed in Spain[10].

Inside the Late Gothic-Cloister

The cathedral is still in use and has a regular service every Sunday. It echos the changes throughout its time and is one of the most remarkable structures in the Plaza Mayor. Serving as a historic symbol of the town and its history, the cathedral remains a monument to the history of Segovia.  

Works Cited

“Catedral.” Segovia!. Turismo de Segovia, 2014. http://www.turismodesegovia.com/es/que-ver/monumentos/catedral. (accessed January 30, 2014).

“Segovia Cathedral.” Spain.info. Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, 2013. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/segovia/catedral_de_segovia.html. (accessed January 30, 2014).

 “Museum Collections Environment.” NPS.gov. NPS Museum Handbook, 1999. http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHI/CHAPTER4.pdf. (accessed January 30, 2014).  

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[1] “Catedral,” Segovia!. Turismo de Segovia, 2014, http://www.turismodesegovia.com/es/que-ver/monumentos/catedral (accessed January 30, 2014).

[2] “Segovia Cathedral,” Spain.info. Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, 2013, http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/segovia/catedral_de_segovia.html (accessed January 30, 2014).

[3] “Catedral,” Segovia!. Turismo de Segovia, 2014.

[4] Ibid.

[5] “Segovia Cathedral,” Spain.info. Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, 2013.

[6] “Catedral,” Segovia!. Turismo de Segovia, 2014.

[7] “Museum Collections Environment,” NPS.gov. NPS Museum Handbook, 1999, http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHI/CHAPTER4.pdf (accessed January 30, 2014).  

[8] Ibid.

[9] “Catedral,” Segovia!. Turismo de Segovia, 2014.

[10] Ibid.