PLASENCIA CATHEDRAL

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Plasencia Cathedral in Extremadura

In the historic city ofPlasencia, in Estremadura, one of the most significant monuments is, without a doubt, its cathedral ... or cathedrals.

Indeed, during your walk through the historic center of Plasencia, when you arrive before the great cathedral building, surely its peculiar configuration will catch your attention.

It is clear which is the main entrance, which you find in the Cathedral Square.

Romanesque cover of the Old Cathedral of Plasencia

But seeing its exterior, with a large central building and a peculiar bell tower unusual in a cathedral, you are not sure if you are facing an unfinished building, or a semi-collapsed one.

And it's really about both things at once.

Plasencia cathedral history

To understand it, I will tell you that in the thirteenth century a first one was built Romanesque cathedral, transition to the Gothic, which outwardly highlights its west facade.

There you can see a Romanesque cover, with the characteristic semicircular arches.

Bell tower of the Old Cathedral of Plasencia

But at the end of the 15th century, specifically, in 1498, it was decided to start the construction of a new cathedral, already of Gothic-Renaissance style, work that the most important architects of the time assumed.

And how was it decided to approach the work? as was done at that time.

Instead of demolishing the old building, construction of the new cathedral began overlapping the building over the old cathedral, so that the central nave of the new one corresponds to the previous building.

But in 1578 the work was paralyzed, and although it was retaken for a time in the eighteenth century, the cathedral was finally unfinished.

Altarpiece of the New Cathedral of Plasencia

In this way, now when visit the Plasencia Cathedral, you will enter the building of the New Cathedral, from which inside you can access what is left of the Old Cathedral,

You can also visit its cloister, an area that is enabled as a museum, with paid access.

Of the New Cathedral of Plasencia highlights its main facade, plateresque style.

Plasencia Cathedral in Extremadura

Inside your attention will be high ribbed vaults, just like him main altarpiece Baroque style, 17th century, and the choir and organ, both Plateresque.

Cathedral Hours Plasencia

The visiting hours of the Old Cathedral of Plasencia they are, in summer, from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 5 pm to 6.30 pm; In winter, in the afternoons it opens from 4 to 5:30 pm.