Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla): A Visitor's Guide

Written by Lisa Alexander
Updated Dec 28, 2023

Nothing prepares visitors for the astounding sight of the Seville Cathedral. This glorious monument is Christendom's largest church of Gothic style and the third-largest when compared to the Neoclassical Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Saint Paul's Cathedral in London.

Seville's cathedral awes visitors with its sheer size and Gothic splendor. Its interior could easily fit a football stadium, and the 30-meter-tall main altarpiece is gilded with the finest gold brought back from the New World during the age of Christopher Columbus.

A symbol of the Christian Reconquest over the Moors, the cathedral was constructed between 1401 and 1506 on the site of the town's 12th-century Great Mosque. The cathedral has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its cultural and historic importance.

Visitors could spend a few hours discovering the grandiose sanctuary, the chapels adorned with masterpieces of Spanish painting, and the treasury containing precious religious objects. A highlight is the Giralda Tower, which affords sensational panoramic views of the city.

Learn about the artistic and architectural highlights of the Seville Cathedral. Our Visitor's Guide provides historical context as well as practical tips, such as things to do in the area, so that you can get the most out of your sightseeing experience.

La Giralda (Bell Tower)

Formerly an Islamic minaret, this iconic Moorish tower is one of the few remaining elements of the original Great Mosque that was replaced by the cathedral.

The tower was built in the 12th century by Islamic rulers of the Almohad dynasty, who hailed from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. Architect Alí de Gómara designed the brick section of the tower, which exemplifies Mudéjar design with its decorative arched niches and geometric patterns.

At the time it was built, the 97-meter-high tower was the tallest monument in the world. Today, the tower stands as an emblem of the city's multicultural heritage.

La Giralda functions as the cathedral's bell tower. At the top is the 16th-century weather vane, an enormous (four meters high) bronze statue of a female figure bearing a cross to symbolize Faith.

Tourists may climb to the top of the tower to admire sensational city views.

Patio de los Naranjos

To arrive at the cathedral, visitors walk through the lovely Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of the Orange Trees). This delightful patio is entered through a fancifully decorated Moorish gate, the Puerta del Perdón, that was the main entrance to the mosque.

In the center of the patio is an octagonal fountain, a relic of the Islamic midha used for ritual washing before entering the mosque, a custom in the Muslim faith.

As the name suggests, the patio is planted with orange trees. During springtime when the flowers are in bloom, a heavenly fragrance of sweet citrus blossoms permeates the courtyard.

Majestic Gothic Interior

Visitors are awed by the immense proportions of this sumptuous Gothic sanctuary. The interior extends 117 meters in length, 76 meters in width, and soars to 40 meters in height. The five-aisled interior is laid out on a rectangular floor plan, and the space is notable for its beautiful lines and overall sense of harmony.

Illuminating the interior are 75 stained-glass windows dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. A decorative 16th-century reja (grille) encloses the choir, which boasts ornately carved Gothic stalls.

Not to be missed is the Tomb of Christopher Columbus in the south transept. This monument, created by Arturo Mélida in 1892, was originally built for the Cathedral of Havana in Cuba but was brought to Seville after the loss of Cuba in the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Main Chapel (Capilla Mayor)

Beyond the choir area of the main transept is the monumental Capilla Mayor, with its inspiring vaulted ceiling rising to a height of 36 meters.

The chapel's magnificent main altarpiece creates a dazzling impression. A masterpiece of Gothic woodcarving, this massive retablo (30 meters high by 20 meters wide) features the Virgen de la Sede surrounded by scenes from the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin. Created between 1482 and 1564, this incredibly intricate work of art includes 44 reliefs and over 200 figures of saints.

The dazzling altarpiece is gilded with real gold brought back from the Americas; it's a testimony to the rich heritage of the cathedral, which was built during the Age of Discovery (also considered the Golden Age of Spain), when Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, first to the islands of the Bahamas in the Caribbean and then to Central America.

Side Chapels

The side chapels of the Seville Cathedral contain an abundance of exquisite art treasures, opulent tombs, and stunning altarpieces.

Notable works include the Guardian Angel by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, displayed to the right of the Puerta Mayor, and another Murillo painting in the Capilla de San Antonio (in the second chapel in the North Aisle). The Saint Antonio Chapel also displays the Baptism of Christ and The Infant Christ appearing to Saint Anthony of Padua.

Among the finest sarcophagi found in the side chapels are the Gothic monument of Juan de Cervantes in the Capilla de San Hermenegildo and the Plateresque-style tomb of Archbishop Mendoza in the Capilla de la Antigua.

Royal Chapel (Capilla Real)

Behind the Capilla Mayor is the lavishly adorned Royal Chapel. Built in the 16th-century style, this splendid Renaissance chapel contains the royal tombs. An 18th-century grille surrounds the chapel, which has an exalted ambience worthy of the revered tombs found here.

The apse has two altars: one features a silver shrine with the relics of Saint Ferdinand; the other boasts a 13th-century figure of the Virgen de los Reyes, the Patron Saint of Seville.

Steps in the Royal Chapel lead down to the crypt.

Sacristy and Treasury

Entered through an antechamber from the Capilla Mayor, the Plateresque-style sacristy is a veritable museum of historic sacred art. The room contains a famous crucifix by Montañés, as well as celebrated paintings by Spanish masters Francisco de Goya, Luis de Morales, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Francisco de Zurbarán.

Within the sacristy is the treasury, a smaller chamber filled with precious religious art objects, including a large candelabrum and a crucifix by Pieter de Kempeneer. The treasury also displays a gem-adorned crown of the Virgen de los Reyes and the 13th-century Clave de Sevilla (Key of Seville).

What's Nearby?

Calle de las Sierpes

The Seville Cathedral offers an immersion into the history and religious heritage of Spain. After this intense cultural and spiritual experience, tourists will welcome a break from sightseeing.

For a change of pace, one of the best places to visit is the quaint Calle de las Sierpes, north of the Plaza Nueva, to soak up the lively atmosphere. This pedestrian street is a fun place to go shopping in Seville. The street is lined with inviting little boutiques, as well as atmospheric cafés and restaurants.

Confitería La Campana

Confiteria la Campana — Confiteria La Campana | Elliott Brown / photo modified

This elegant confectionary shop is a wonderful reward for weary tourists in need of a special treat. The Confitería La Campana offers a selection of tempting Andalusian confections such as candied oranges, figs, and pears, along with traditional Spanish pastries like Milhojas de Turrón (a creamy layer cake similar to a millefeuille) and sandwiches.