San Salvador cathedral, which is popularly known as "La Seo", is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city of Zaragoza. It is built on the plot where the Roman forum used to be located, with the main buildings in the Roman city Cesaraugusta were located. During the Arab era, a mosque was built there and then converted into a Christian temple when the city was conquered in the year 1118 by King Alphonsus I the Battler, being consecrated to the Saviour on 4th October 1121.
The La Seo building was the cathedral of the Kingdom of Aragon and therefore all of the monarchs of Aragon were crowned there between the year 1204 and the 15th century.
The many instigators of La Seo over the centuries include the following: Bishop Pedro Tarroja (1152-1184); Bishop Ramón de Castellazuelo (1184-1216); King Alphonsus II of Aragon (1152- 1196); Pedro López de Luna (1317-1345); Pope Benedict XIII (1402-1414); Dalmau de Mur i Cervelló (1431-1456); Juan I of Aragon (1458-1475); Alonso of Aragon (1479-1520); Hernando of Aragon (1539-1575).
The building's main architects
The first documented architect was Pere de Carnaz in 1156, followed by Guillermo Barrau (between 1177 and 1191); Mahoma Rami (architect of the works between 1403 and 1409) and finally, Pere Joan.
The building
It may be considered a Gothic temple although its lengthy construction period means that it includes a great number of different styles, ranging from Romanesque to Neoclassical. The floor plan is quadrangular and it is divided into five naves, the central being the highest. Its Gothic style is apparent from its beautiful groin vaults decorated with golden and multicoloured wood flowers, supported by twenty pillars.
In the year 1140, the former mosque was demolished and around the year 1150, the work to construct a Romanesque temple with a basilica floor plan commenced. In 1138, the cathedral acquired the category of "metropolitan", when the diocese of Zaragoza became an Archdiocese.
During the 14th century, the Parroquieta, with its Mudéjar wall, was built, as well as the third new ciborium, which was commissioned by the Aragonese pope Benedict XIII.
In the middle of the 15th century, as well as the choir and the main altarpiece, two important extensions were carried out, increasing the dimensions of the temple from three to five naves, which made it necessary to demolish most of the cloister, some adjoining buildings and also various chapels. Hernando of Aragon carried out the last reforms that gave it its current appearance, building the retrochoir and the Renaissance Doorway of St. Augustine.
During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the chapels were built and decorated and in the 18th the Baroque tower and the neoclassical doorway were completed.
In the year 2001, it was included on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO.
Exterior
Mudéjar wall
Made of brickwork and tiles, it is beautifully decorated and is one of the most representative examples of the Aragonese Mudéjar style. It covers the area of the chapel of St. Michael and simulates a huge polychromatic tapestry.
Tower
This very high Baroque tower has four bodies and is crowned by a bulbous capital. It was redone in the 17th century.
Main door
Designed by Julián Yarza, it opens onto the transept, on the Gospel side. It hides the former Mudéjar door.
Door of St. Bartholomew
Located on the epistle side, it is the oldest door in the temple. In the Classicist style, it was restored in the 18th century.
Interior
Parroquieta of St. Michael
This is where the niche and tomb of Lope Fernández de Luna are located
Altarpiece of the Main Altar
Made of alabaster and dedicated to the saviour, it was built between 1434 and 1487 by Pere Joan and Hans de Gmünd. It is one of the most outstanding pieces of European Gothic sculpture.
Ciborium
The current ciborium dates from the year 1521 and it is the third one to have been built for the building.
Choir
Located in the centre of the main nave, it was commissioned by Archbishop Dalmacio de Mur in the year 1445.
Main chapels
Chapel of Holy Christ
Located south of the retrochoir and decorated with three imagenes: Christ, Mary and St. John. The canopy that completes it was built in the year 1739.
Chapel of James the Greater (Santiago el Mayor)
Presided over by a polychromatic carving of James dressed as a pilgrim, made by Gil Morlanes the Elder.
Chapel of St. Vincent the Martyr
Built in the middle of the 18th century, it presents a style that is a transition between Baroque and Neoclassical.
Chapel of the Nativity
The main painting depicts the Adoration of the shepherds. It was built at the close of the 16th century, to be used as a family pantheon.
Chapel of St. Augustine
This chapel was remodelled in the 18th century and houses one of the most beautiful altarpieces in the Aragonese Renaissance, which was built in 1521 by Gil Morlanes the Younger and Gabriel Yoli.
Chapel of St. Bernard of Claraval
Commissioned by Hernando of Aragon in the year 1549, to serve as the mausoleum for the archbishop and his mother. Made in alabaster, it is one of the most important works of the Aragonese Renaissance.
Chapel of St. Valero
Located at the foot of the temple, this chapel was built between 1547 and 1550 and remodelled in the 17th century. It features a large Churrigueresque doorway, made of plaster, with sculptures of St. Peter and St. Paul. The altarpiece is in the Churrigueresque style and is presided over by St. Valero, the patron saint of Zaragoza.
Main Sacristy
Access is through a magnificent carved plaster doorway in the Baroque style. It houses very valuable works of art.
Address:
Plaza de La Seo s/n
50001 Zaragoza
Visitors' access through calle Palafox (Portico of St. Bartholomew)
Tel. no.: Main Sacristy: 976 291238
Tel. no.: Council : 976 291231
Timetable:
Winter: Tuesdays to Saturdays: From 10:00 to 13:30 H and from 16:00 to 18:30 H
Sundays and bank holidays: From 10 to 12 H and from 16 to 18:30 H Closed on Mondays
Summer: The evening closing-time is extended to 19 H. Admission is not permitted half an hour before closing-time.
Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon and the most important city in the Ebro Valley. It has a population of more than 600,000 inhabitants. With a Continental Mediterranean climate, it is situated 200 metres above sea level and is positioned in a privileged location between Spain's two main cities, Madrid and Barcelona.
It was founded by the Romans in the year 14 B.C. on the site of a fortified Iberian settlement. They gave it the name of "Cesaraugusta" and from there, most of Spanish territory was latinised.
In the year 714, the Muslims made it the capital of the Upper March of Al-Andalus. In the year 1018, it became the capital of the first taifa kingdom, independent from Al-Andalus. It was conquered in the year 1118 by King Alphonsus I of Aragon.
After the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs, Aragon was ruled by viceroys that lived in Zaragoza.
In the year 1706, Aragon opposed the Borbonic dynasty and following the defeat of Archduke Carlos, was punished in the New Plan Decrees, when its "fueros" were done away with.
After the Napoleonic invasion in the year 1808, the city of Zaragoza was virtually destroyed and its urban recovery was to commence in the latter decades of the 19th century.
Zaragoza has been the capital city of the Community of Aragon since the year 1982. The main institutions from the Autonomous Community have their headquarters there (General Regional Council of Aragon, the Regional Parliament (Courts) and the mythical Justicia de Aragón ombudsman)
The future of Zaragoza
The city has undergone a major process of urban development. Once a rural society, it has evolved in economic and cultural terms, registering a very rapid rate of growth and an extraordinary boom. Improved communications and the arrival of the AVE high-speed train have given it a new boost.
12 October
Festivities of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patron saint of Hispanicity.
With a strong patriotic flavour and a major religious component, this festivity resonates nationwide. The highlights are the offering of flowers and the bullfighting festival.
29 January
San Valero
Celebrated with the typical "roscones" (sweet bread).
5 March
Cincomarzada
A country meal on the banks of the river Ebro, in memory of the victory of the Zaragozan liberals against the Carlists on the night of 5 March 1838.
23 April
St. George
The typical item confectionery, "lanzones", are offered.
City Council Tourist and Tourist Office
Telephone nos. 902201212 and 976201200
E-mail:turismo@ayto-zaragoza.es
Tourist information points in the city:
Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, s/n
Tel. no. 976393537
Fax 976721281
From 10:00 to 20:00 H every day
Auditorium. Convention Centre
C/ Eduardo Ibarra s/n
Tel. no. 976721333
Fax 976721327
From 8:00 to 15:00 H, Mondays to Fridays
La Zuda Tower
Glorieta de Pío XII s/n
Tel. no. 976201200
Fax 976200635
From 10:00 to 20:00 H every day
Guided visits
Duration:
Approximately two and a half hours (on foot)
Tel. no. 902201212 and 976201200
Tourist bus: 1 July to 15 October
Zaragoza City Council urban guide
http://guia.ayto-zaragoza.es
Zaragoza City Council tourist guide
www.turismozaragoza.com
Official website of Zaragoza City Council
(includes the history of the catedral)
www.ayto-zaragoza.es
Zaragoza Council
www.cabildodezaragoza.org
Website of the Aragonese government
www.aragob.es
Website of the Aragonese government
(with a special section dedicated to the cathedral)
www.aragob.es/edycul/patrimo/pantaa/pantaa.htm
About the cathedral
http://www.aragonesasi.com/zaragoza/laseo.htm www.redaragon.com/cultura/laseo
About the towers of the cathedral, its bells and bell tones
http://campaners.com/gcv/t546b.htm
About La Seo and the Aragonese monarchy. The floor plan of the cathedral.
www.herensuge.com/zaragoza/museos
Guide to the museums of Zaragoza
http://www.staragon.com/ZARAGOZA/index.html
The figure of the Justice of Aragon
www.eljusticiadearagon.com
