Cathedral of Cadix

The cathedral of Cadix

The cathedral of Cadix is one of the great symbols of the town, recognisable by its golden dome that shines in the sun and that you glimpse from almost everywhere, even from the sea. The Cadix audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary born from the golden age of the trade with the Americas, whose construction lasted one hundred and sixteen years and mingles baroque, rococo and neoclassical.

The sanctuary of the golden age

Here you are in front of the cathedral of Cadix, one of the great symbols of the town, with its famous golden dome that shines in the sun and that you spot from almost everywhere, even from the sea. If it is so large and so beautiful, it is because it was built at the time when Cadix lived its golden age, in the eighteenth century: the trade with the Americas made riches, merchants and sailors of the whole world flow in, and the town wanted a cathedral worthy of this new prosperity. The works began in 1722, and were only completed one hundred and sixteen years later. This is to say that many things changed in the meantime: architects, styles, finances. As a result, the cathedral mingles baroque, rococo and neoclassical, as if each era had left its personal touch there. By approaching the façade, you will discover the combination of curves, columns and sculpted details that give it its character, and, just above, the great golden dome become one of the emblems of the town. Inside, to be discovered in contemplation, the space is luminous and harmonious: three slender naves, a great dome at the crossing of the transept, and a crypt that shelters notably the tomb of the Gaditan composer Manuel de Falla. A place of faith and a heritage masterpiece, the cathedral testifies, with gravity and respect, to the past grandeur of Cadix. A cathedral with a golden dome and a symbol of the town, it is a stop to be discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the great symbol of Cadix, recognisable by its golden dome visible even from the sea; born from the golden age of the trade with the Americas, its construction began in 1722 and lasted one hundred and sixteen years, mingling baroque, rococo and neoclassical. Inside, three luminous naves, a great dome and a crypt sheltering the tomb of Manuel de Falla. The cathedral is the emblem of Cadix. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The cathedral of Cadix stands in the heart of the old town, near the Campo del Sur, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; entry and hours follow the conditions in force and may be restricted during services. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why did the construction of the cathedral of Cadix last so long?

Because the works, begun in 1722, were only completed one hundred and sixteen years later: in the meantime, architects, styles and finances changed, so that the building mingles baroque, rococo and neoclassical; born from the golden age of the trade with the Americas, the cathedral is recognisable by its golden dome and shelters the tomb of Manuel de Falla.

Where is the cathedral of Cadix?

In the heart of the old town of Cadix, near the Campo del Sur, in Spain.