Visiting Seville Cathedral is one of the most popular activities for tourists in the city. The massive Cathedral of Seville is the most famous and recognizable site in Seville, Spain.
Along with the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it stands as one of the most well-known churches in Spain. Officially known (in English) as Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, visiting Seville Cathedral is on a lot of tourist itineraries. Before going, read these tips to prepare and make the most of your visit:
Contents
Background & History of Seville Cathedral
Construction of the Seville Cathedral began in the 12th century when Seville was part of the Moorish Almohad Caliphate. The Moors made Seville their capital, and began construction on a large mosque.
Eventually, after centuries of the Reconquista, Christians regained control of the entire Iberian Peninsula. In the 13th century, the Spanish king converted the mosque in Seville into a church, similarly to how the main church in Granada was built. Ultimately, the church underwent substantial expansions and additions.
Significant features of the mosque remain part of the Seville Cathedral today. The massive church tower was originally a minaret, and the courtyard, a common feature in many mosques, was also part of the original construction.
Seville Cathedral – a building of muslim origin mixed with the ensuing Christian wealth and dominance – is a perfect foray into the history of Seville. The result is a monument to the city’s history of the last nearly-1000 years, but it also makes Seville Cathedral the largest Gothic church in the world. And, depending on the source, Seville Cathedral is the third-largest church in the world today.
Visiting Seville Cathedral – A Tour
Before visiting Seville Cathedral, knowing what to expect can help prepare tourists for a better, more efficient visit. This place is big, and there’s a lot to see:
The Nave, Chapels & Gallery of Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral consists of an enormous nave, multiple smaller chapels, a small art gallery at the entrance, famous tombs, a tower and a courtyard of orange trees. Most of these are normal features of great, historic churches, but some of the features are unique.
The nave, the main section of the church, is huge. It is exceptional in size, as the main portion of the largest gothic church in the world. The nave is several stories high and full of beautiful, yet over-the-top, designs from wall to wall. The choir loft in the center is extravagant to say the least. It looks like a king’s council chamber from a medieval fantasy film, but apparently this is where a choir sits.
Across from the choir loft is the main altarpiece. This is where most people congregate, and this is a good place for those visiting Seville Cathedral to stop and reflect, enjoy the scene or appreciate the impressive setting.
The various chapels and side rooms are each beautiful and ornate in different ways. It does make visiting Seville Cathedral a little hectic, though, as these smaller rooms are a maze and all look similar. Figuring out which direction to go, while also navigating the crowds, is confusing.
El Giralda, Tower of Seville Cathedral
The best part of visiting Seville Cathedral is the tower, El Giralda. The tower’s origins go back to the days when the structure was part of a mosque, and the tower was the minaret.
El Giralda is the second-highest structure in Seville, and the view from the top is the best around. At nearly 350 feet high, the view from the tower of Seville Cathedral provides excellent and unique views of the surrounding city.
The top of the tower, which stays crowded with tourists, has the most comprehensive views of Seville. While most tourists rush to (and linger at) the top of El Giralda, there are excellent views along the way. The windows and embrasures afford tourists great photo opportunities of the cathedral roof and the city.
There is no elevator to reach the top of El Giralda. Luckily, it’s not as difficult for visitors to reach the top of the Seville Cathedral tower as it appears from a distance. Although there are 34 ramps to climb to reach the top, it is easier than it sounds.
The Courtyard of Seville Cathedral
The courtyard of Seville Cathedral is the other notable Moorish feature that remains. Courtyards like this are features of many large mosques. In my personal opinion, however, the courtyard is reminiscent of the cloisters of many significant churches in Europe.
Nevertheless, the uniqueness of the courtyard at Seville Cathedral is unimportant. The area is a historically significant, beautiful area. The courtyard is filled with the famous orange trees of Seville, an enduring mark left by the Moors.
The courtyard of Seville Cathedral is a place to take a breath and finally speak at a normal volume. It is pretty, yes, but it is also a place to reflect on the history of Seville right before you and marvel at the wonder that has passed the test of time.
The Tomb of Christopher Columbus
The famous explorer and discoverer of the New World, Christopher Columbus (in Spanish: Cristóbal Colón), loved Seville. And Columbus loved Spain… Until he didn’t. Christopher Columbus fell out with the Spanish monarchy over money and power.
Before Columbus died, he made it clear that he did not want to be buried in Spanish soil. Naturally, after falling out with Spanish rulers, his tomb is in Spain – prominently in Seville Cathedral. As an obvious affront to the wishes of Columbus – his remains are in Spain – but his elaborate tomb is technically not in Spanish soil.
Tourists can see the official tomb of Christopher Columbus when visiting Seville Cathedral, but is the famous explorer really in there?
The Dominican Republic claims to have found his remains, now interred in a lavish memorial. DNA testing suggests Columbus is likely the person in Seville. Either way, the tomb of Cristóbal Colón in Seville Cathedral is one of the most interesting and impressive features of the church.
Entrance Fees & Admission
The regular admission price for adults visiting Seville Cathedral is 10€. Discount tickets are available for students and retirees with proper identification. Locals from Seville, kids under 14 and disabled persons can visit for free.
There are add-ons available as well. Visitors can upgrade their visit with an informative pamphlet, guided tours and audio guides. All are available in multiple languages.
My recommendation to get the most out of visiting Seville Cathedral is to pay for the add-ons. The audio guide is an extra 4€, but this will provide far more information and context to the various areas of the cathedral. According to the website, audio guides are free when you purchase tickets online.
There is another add-on that takes visitors on a guided tour of the roof of the cathedral. In hindsight, this is something I regret not doing. The views from the rooftop, especially with much fewer people around, look incredible. On my next visit to Seville, I will definitely splurge for the rooftop tour.
There are limited hours of free admission to Seville Cathedral. This is a great way to save money, but it will likely be very busy. Visiting Seville Cathedral during the free times will also take considerably longer. The line to get in is longer, and with a smaller window of time to wander the church, visitors will want to be nearer the front. Thus, more time spent waiting and less time enjoying the wonderful sights of Seville, Spain.
The Best Time to Visit Seville Cathedral
Visitor hours at Seville Cathedral are irregular at best. Although this UNESCO-designated place is basically a museum, it seems to still host church services. Excluding Christian holidays, the typical hours Seville Cathedral is open to tourists are mid-day, roughly 11 AM to 4 PM.
The schedule, however, varies significantly each day and is subject to change. Staff begin clearing the cathedral about 30 minutes after the ticket office closes. The Seville Cathedral website, although containing some information that conflicts with the on-site signage (pictured below), has more information to consult before your visit.
During Semana Santa, Holy Week in Seville, getting into the cathedral is not an option. The somber, yet also parade-like processionals clog the streets with tens of thousands of people. Except, perhaps, for religious pilgrims, it is best to avoid Seville altogether during Holy Week.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
Visiting Seville Cathedral will take about 1-2 hours for the average tourist. If you simply want to make the rounds, walk through and snap photos, a visit can easily be accomplished in about an hour.
The walk up the tower takes a few minutes depending on the visitor’s level of fitness. If there weren’t so many other visitors clamoring for photos, it would be easy to spend a good bit of time at the top. As it is, the top of El Giralda is a madhouse of tourists trying to squeeze in and get the best photos.
Seville Cathedral is worthy of a little extra time. The massive church definitely has that gaudy, rich feel that the Church in Europe so often provides, but there’s no denying the impressive nature of Seville Cathedral warrants a fair amount of time. The craftsmanship, artwork and sheer size provide for a significant “wow” factor. The only drawback is the crowds, which, at times, take away any semblance of it being a holy site.
It should be noted that the line to get in stays fairly long. During Autumn, not exactly the busy season, I waited more than half an hour in line to get tickets.
Other Tips for Visiting Seville Cathedral
- Get the audio guide. Otherwise, visiting Seville Cathedral will be little more than wandering around, gawking at shiny stuff and big columns without any context.
- Make sure to visit the room of jewels. Some historians believe the driving force to erect such a large, elaborate church was to showcase wealth. The small items, which I assume are “holy items” for a religious purpose, are an in-your-face example of the wealth of the Church and Spanish monarchy. I mean, what is the religious purpose of a solid gold crucifix studded with diamonds and pearls?
- Be respectful. Although it functions more like a museum at times, visiting Seville Cathedral is still a visit to a religious site. This is a place of reverence and respect.
- Don’t take pictures of people praying. And don’t rush to the front of an altar for a picture when others are praying or taking their own photo. Crowded places like the Cathedral of Seville can be a lot more enjoyable to visit if more people are considerate of other visitors.
- Put the camera down. It’s hard to stop snapping photos in a place this beautiful. Take pictures, absolutely, but don’t forget to appreciate this magnificent place through your own eyes.
- Dress appropriately. This is a church. This is not only a tip for respectfully visiting Seville Cathedral, but you will not be allowed entrance if you do not abide by the dress code. See the picture below.
For many travelers in Europe, the big, fancy churches grow boring after seeing so many. For every ten churches I visit, I might write about one. Seville Cathedral is one of the exceptional churches. The history and stories surrounding this church set it apart, but the sheer size makes it worth a visit in it’s own right. As the largest Gothic church in the world, Seville Cathedral is a testament to the historic wealth and importance of this city.
The history of Seville is fascinating, and that history is prevalent in this church. The cathedral is the best place to marvel at the wealth of the church, understand an important part of local culture and take in the best view in Seville. Visiting Seville Cathedral is an interesting experience not to miss.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.