10 Amazing Examples of Spanish Gothic Architecture

Photo by Juracell. Wikimedia Commons.

10 Amazing Examples of Spanish Gothic Architecture

The Gothic style started in Spain as a result of Central European influence in the twelfth century when late Romanesque alternated with few expressions of pure Gothic architecture. The Gothic style was built and decorated with Mudéjar elements by Mudéjar craftsmen and Christian craftsmen influenced by them. This created a highly distinctive Gothic style unique to Spain and Portugal.

Spain has a beautiful collection of gothic architecture spread out over the whole country. Barcelona actually has a neighborhood called The Gothic Quarter, filled with spectacular architecture in gothic style. Here are 10 Amazing examples of Spanish Gothic Architecture.

1. Cathedral of Burgos

Photo by Lucas Carl. Unsplash.

The cathedral was built between 1221 and 1795. While the architectural style of the cathedral is gothic, it has several decorative Renaissance and Baroque elements as well. The construction and renovations were made with limestone extracted from the quarries of the nearby town of Hontoria de la Cantera.

Many works of extraordinary artists are preserved in the cathedral. This cathedral is outstanding for the elegance and harmony of its architecture. It is the only cathedral in Spain that has received the UNESCO World Heritage designation for its cathedral building alone.

2. Monastery of Pedrables (Barcelona)

The Monastery of Pedralbes is a Gothic monastery in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The monastery was founded by King James II of Aragon for his wife Elisenda de Montcada in 1326. It housed a community of Poor Clares, mostly members of noble families.

The queen gave the monastery a series of privileges, including direct protection. It is now a museum, housing permanent exhibitions as well as third-party special exhibitions from time to time. The Chapel of St. Michael was restored and re-opened in 2018.

3. Palma Cathedral

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This is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma, Mallorca, Spain. Palma Cathedral was built by the Crown of Aragón. Designed in the Catalan Gothic style, it’s construction began in 1229 but was ended in 1601. The cathedral is 121 meters long, 55 meters wide and its nave is 44 meters tall.

The way the light streams in through the gothic rosette window is impressive. On certain days of the year visitors can expect an extraordinary light phenomenon. This is called the “Light Game of the Eight”. The sunbeams fall from 8:00am through the large rosette on the eastern front and projects the exact image of the round window onto the opposite wall. For the viewer, it appears as if the two rosette windows have been perfectly superimposed together.

4. The Lonja de la Seda of Valencia

The Lonja de la Seda is a late Valencian Gothic-style civil building in Valencia, Spain. It is a principal tourist attraction in the city. It was built between 1482 and 1533. La Lonja functioned as a trading place for silk exchange.

In 1996 UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site. Its listing states that “the site is of outstanding universal value as it is a wholly exceptional example of a secular building in late Gothic style, which dramatically illustrates the power and wealth of one of the great Mediterranean mercantile cities.”

5. Girona Cathedral

Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel. Unsplash.

Girona Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Girona. The cathedral was initially built utilizing the Romanesque architectural style.

Later on, it was redesigned by Pere Sacoma in 1312. After some years of indecisiveness, Guillem Bofill and Antoni Canet started the project in 1416. The new design consisted of a large Gothic nave. This is the widest Gothic nave in the world at 22.98 m. Today, visitors enjoy Girona Cathedral’s magnificent interior and the great pieces of artwork.

6. Chapel of Saint Agata

The Chapel of Santa Ágata was built in 1302. The Chapel’s construction followed an order by James II and the reigning Queen Blanca d’Anjou. The Catalan Gothic style was used in the chapel’s construction.

The chapel is made up of one single nave of three diaphragmic arches with spurs that supports the wooden roof, a small cross, two chapels and the gallery. The bell tower, uses the remains of the roman wall for support.

7. Cathedral of Ávila

Photo by Andreas Weilguny. Unsplash.

This is a Catholic church in Ávila in the south of Old Castile, Spain. It is built in the late Romanesque and Gothic architectural traditions. The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, the first European Gothic church.

The construction was started by Girald Fruchel in the 12th century. The stained-glass windows date from the 15th century. The cathedral is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross. The cathedral was designated a National Monument in 1949.

8. Valencia Cathedral

Valencia Cathedral was built over the site of the former Visigothic cathedral. The Visigothic cathedral had been turned into a mosque under the Moors. This cathedral’s construction was begun at the end of the 13th century (1270–1300). This was the same time when the mosque was being demolished.

Valencian Gothic is the predominant architectural style of the cathedral. It also contains Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical elements. The cathedral contains numerous 15th-century paintings.

9. Cathedral of Cuenca

Cuenca Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral in the city of Cuenca, located in the Province of Cuenca.  The building is one of the earliest Spanish examples of Gothic architecture. It was built at a time when the Romanesque style predominated in the Iberian Peninsula.

It’s construction began in 1196 and was largely completed by 1257. However, further renovations continued. For instance, in the 15th century the Gothic chevet of the cathedral was reconstructed.

10. Cathedral of Toledo

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This is a Roman Catholic church in Toledo, Spain. The Cathedral of Toledo is one of the three 13th-century High Gothic cathedrals in Spain. It is considered by  some authorities to be the magnum opus of the Gothic style in Spain.

Its construction begun in 1226 under the rule of Ferdinand III, and the last Gothic contributions were made in the 15th century. The vaults of the central nave were finished during the time of the Catholic Monarchs. The cathedral was modeled after the Bourges Cathedral.