We Visit The Cathedral Of Malaga On The Costa Del Sol

Malaga Cathedral is a Renaissance jewel that presides over this port city. Nicknamed ‘la Manquita’, since it is missing one of the towers on the façade, its design is the work of Diego Siloé. It is an authentic wonder that you can admire just a few meters from the Mediterranean Sea. Are you coming with us to visit it?

Malaga cathedral and its history

Malaga Cathedral is a sample of the magnificent history of this Andalusian city. It is a symbol of the city and the importance that this location has had over the centuries. We are talking about a temple based on what was the old main mosque of Muslim Malaga.

That mosque, from 1487, began a process of demolition and change to become a Christian temple. That was the key year because when the troops of the Catholic Monarchs entered Malaga. Dedicated to Santa María de la Encarnación, its opening to worship would not take place until 1768  due to the slow progress of the works.

Building

It is an exceptional temple both for its beauty and its size. And thanks to the height of its north tower, at 84 meters, it is considered the second tallest cathedral in Spain, after Seville with the Giralda. Its floor plan is very similar to that of the Cathedral of Granada, also the work of Siloé, that is, three naves that end in a head with an ambulatory.

Inside we find the typical columns used by this Burgos architect in his works. A very unique union of pillars, pilasters and half columns. A hallmark of identity that he used in the cathedrals of Guadix, Granada or Antequera and that later would go on to buildings in the New World, such as the Cathedral of Cuzco.

But what stands out especially about this building are its facades. In them the characteristic game of arches and columns that they present is very interesting.

Decorative elements of the Cathedral of Malaga

Like any cathedral worth its salt, the one in Malaga also has an important historical-artistic heritage. Thus, its windows are closed by means of precious stained glass. These are the result of donations from the faithful and were made by the Mayer House and the Maumejean Society between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Of the sculptures, paintings and altarpieces that it keeps, the so-called Virgen de los Reyes stands out. It is a virgin of Gothic stature who, according to tradition, was a gift from Queen Isabel la Católica to the city. Thus, at his feet there are two sculptures by Pedro de Mena that represent the Catholic Monarchs praying. She is credited with the miracle of eradicating a plague epidemic that ravaged Malaga in the seventeenth century.

Another representative work in the Cathedral of Malaga is the Cristo del Amparo. It is a baroque carving from the 17th century whose author, Antonio Gómez, received the order of its execution at the hands of Bishop Tomás de Borja. We must also mention the painting of the Virgin of the Rosary by Alonso Cano that presides over the chapel of the same name.

But the work that stands out among all is the choir. It is a jewel made of wood that Pedro de Mena designed and worked on and that other artists such as Luis Ortiz de Vargas or José Micael Alfaro continued. Meanwhile, the main chapel was decorated by the mannerist painter César Arbasia with great skill.

The visit to the temple and its roofs

Many more are the treasures that are kept in this beautiful Andalusian cathedral. So you can’t miss it if you are in the city. Malaga Cathedral can be visited from Monday to Sunday and has different rates and schedules.

You can choose between a general visit, a visit to the roofs or another that includes combined access to the cathedral and the roofs. With the latter you will be able to contemplate the impressive views of the city and the sea after visiting the spectacular building of the cathedral. In addition, it has a night visit to the decks.