Guide To Visit The Cathedral Of Murcia

Visiting the cathedral of Murcia is to admire the most imposing monument in the city. Since the fourteenth century, in which it was built, it has undergone numerous reforms. Reforms have turned it into an architectural jewel in which a great variety of styles can be appreciated. Do you want to visit it with us?

An amalgam of architectural styles

The Cathedral of Santa María  began to be built in 1394 on the remains of the city’s main mosque. The construction process ended in 1462 and today it is recognized as a key piece within the Spanish Baroque.

This is so because over the centuries  the cathedral has been reformed and elements have been added to it. This continued until the end of the 18th century and is part of its charm.

Guide to visit the cathedral of Murcia

We now want to take a small tour of the temple, so that when visiting the cathedral of Murcia you do not miss any of its most important elements.

The bell tower

The current tower replaced the previous one at the end of the 16th century and is in the Renaissance style. It was built between the years 1521 and 1793.

It has an incredible height: 93 meters, 98 if we count the weather vane. This makes it the second highest in Spain, behind the Giralda. It is the indisputable symbol of the cathedral and of the city of Murcia. In addition, the illuminated tower brings to life an impressive image.

The different parts of the tower belong to different styles :

• First body: from the year 1521 and in the Renaissance style.
• Second body: more purist Renaissance style.
• Third body: construction began in 1765 following the canons of the Baroque.
• Fourth body: it is worth highlighting the conjurations.
• Fifth body: corresponds to the bell tower, which contains 20 bells from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is in the rococo style.
• At the top is the neoclassical dome, which was completed in 1793.

The chapels

Inside the cathedral there are several chapels. Although it is worth visiting all of them, as they are very different and each one has its charm and history, the following should be highlighted:

• Capilla de los Vélez : in 1928 it was declared a National Monument, before the cathedral itself. It is worth noting the impressive stone chain that surrounds it, which we will talk about later.

• Junterón Chapel : it is a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance.
• Main Chapel : in it is the sepulchral urn that contains the heart and entrails of Alfonso X the Wise.

There are many more chapels and interesting corners in the cathedral. If you have time, do not hesitate to visit them all!

The history of the Velez chapel chain

Legend has it that around 1500, a beggar who claimed to be a sculptor came to the city. The beggar claimed that he was capable of carving in stone a chain large enough to surround the Velez chapel and even the entire cathedral.

The Marquis de Vélez challenged him and proposed a deal: if he was able to do so, he would spare his life. But if the marquis did not like the work, the beggar would die by hanging. After 7 years of hard work, the work was finished and it was presented to the nobleman. Everyone was amazed by his work and the beggar was nicknamed “El Cadenero”.

Shortly after the Cadenero set out to leave Murcia. However, the marquis did not want him to leave. To prevent him from doing a similar work elsewhere, he gouged out his eyes, cut off his hands, and put him in a cell. This ensured that the impressive stone chain of Murcia Cathedral was unique in the world.

The cathedral museum

It is located in the old cloister of the cathedral. Formerly this space was occupied by the Chapter House, next to said mid-fourteenth century Gothic cloister. It exhibits a large number of invaluable artistic pieces from Roman times to the present day.

Visiting the cathedral of Murcia, with its amalgamation of architectural styles, is essential if you are in the city. A temple that is an indisputable symbol of Murcia.  Don’t forget to spend some time on it!