New Cathedral, Salamanca Catedral Nueva

A narrow street runs round the University buildings to the New Cathedral of Salamanca, the tower of which can be seen from the Patio de las Escuelas. Begun by Juan Gil de Hontañón in 1513, this imposing building was not completed until 1733, and thus shows a mingling of Late Gothic, Plateresque and Baroque features. Particularly rich are the Plateresque doorways, notably the triple west doorway and the north doorway (the Puerta de Ramos), which has a relief of Christ's entry into Jerusalem.

Picture - Overview of Salamanca to cathedral.

Picture - Detail of the New Cathedral in Salamanca.

Picture - Detail of the exterior of the New Cathedral in Salamanca.

View a slideshow of New Cathedral Pictures

New Cathedral Map

Important Information:

Opening hours: 9:30am-1pm, 4pm-7:30pm

Entrance fee: Adult Free

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New Cathedral Highlights

Cathedral - Tower

The 110m/360ft high tower, with a beautiful dome (probably by Joaquín de Churriguera), has reinforcement walls round its lower stories, built in 1755 as a precaution against earthquakes.

Cathedral - Interior

The richly furnished interior of the New Cathedral in Salamanca, 104m/341ft long by 48m/157ft across, achieves an effect of spaciousness and height (38m/125ft) in spite of the insertion of the choir, which has beautifully carved Baroque stalls and Baroque sculpture by Alberto de Churriguera. The chapels contain numerous works of art, including the tomb of St Ánchez de Palenzuela in the Capilla Dorada which he founded and the figure of the Virgen de la Cueva, patroness of Salamanca, in the Capilla del Mariscal. At the head of the ambulatory, in the Capilla del Cristo de las Batallas, is an 11th century crucifix said to have been presented by the Cid to his comrade in arms Jerónimo, later bishop of Salamanca. Other notable features are the Sacristy, decorated in Rococo style, and the Reliquary Chapel.

Related Attractions

Around the New Cathedral

Plaza de Anaya

In front of the New Cathedral is the Plaza de Anaya, laid out in 1811.

Museo Municipal

Opposite the west front of the New Cathedral stands the former Palacio Episcopal, now housing the Municipal Museum, with a collection of material on the history of the town.