Murcia, a city of Moorish origin, located on a flat plain surrounded by a mountain range, is closely linked to the fertile plain of the Segura. The tower of the cathedral, one of the city's symbols, rises from its historic guild streets.
Although the region of Murcia has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years, the city of Murcia was not founded until 831, when the Emir of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman II, ordered the construction of a walled city on the banks of the Segura and made it the capital of the caliphal province.
Murcia is a big city, but it still exudes a very relaxed atmosphere. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that a large part of the old city center is designed as a walking area. This makes it easier to experience the city's rich historical and cultural heritage in a relaxed manner. And for many, at the top of the list of important sights is the Santa Maria Cathedral.
The pride of Murcia has a long history. It started at the end of the 14th century when construction began on the foundation of an old mosque. The location is not coincidental. It was very common at that time to symbolically reject the time of the Moorish rulers. And what better way than to build on a site where a mosque once stood? Although the cathedral was completed in 1465, new elements were added continuously until the early 18th century. This makes the building a rich mix of diverse architectural views. The exuberant facade was built in Baroque style, while the Gothic style predominates in the interior.
The differences in architecture are most clearly expressed in the bell tower, which at 95 meters is the second highest in Spain. The tower was built in phases between 1521 and 1793. So it is not surprising that different architectural visions are discussed as visitors follow the five floors and 200 steps to the top. At the end, a beautiful panoramic view of the city awaits them. During the journey upwards we successively encounter style elements derived from Renaissance, Neo-Classical, Baroque and Rococo.
The last changes came after a major fire in 1884. A neo-Gothic altar and a majestic organ date from after the fire. The church also houses a museum with various religious objects from a sarcophagus from Roman times to the present. Remains also provide information about the mosque that once stood on the site.
Due to its convenient location in the city center, a visit to the cathedral can easily be combined with visits to other churches in the vicinity, such as the Santa Domingo Church, the San Miguel Church and the San Bartolome parish.