The Cathedral of Santa Maria of the Incarnation

The Cathedral of the Incarnation, in Malaga

The Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación is the great religious monument of Malaga, the tallest cathedral of Andalusia, built between 1528 and 1782 on the site of a former mosque. The Malaga audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this masterpiece mingling Renaissance, baroque and Gothic, nicknamed La Manquita, the little one-armed, because of its unfinished tower.

La Manquita, tallest cathedral of Andalusia

In addition to being a major place of worship for the people of Malaga, the Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación is also an unmissable landmark to orient oneself in the town. Built between 1528 and 1782 on the site of a former mosque, after the reconquest of Malaga, it is today the tallest cathedral of Andalusia and one of the finest examples of Spanish religious architecture. All in height and elegance, it harmoniously mingles the baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles, witnesses of the long construction campaigns that spread over more than two centuries. Outside, you admire with respect its portal decorated with finely sculpted medallions and its façades of golden stone; inside, in the contemplation of its vast naves, the gaze is attracted by the magnificently worked choir, with stalls of sculpted wood, and by its great organs of more than four thousand pipes, instruments still in service for concerts. The cathedral is affectionately nicknamed La Manquita, the little one-armed, because its south tower and part of its façade remain unfinished, for lack of funds at the time; legend has it that the money planned was diverted to other causes. This singularity, far from disfiguring it, has become one of its most endearing characteristics. A spiritual heart of the town, it hosts the great celebrations and watches over the historic centre. A Renaissance cathedral and a landmark of the town, the Cathedral of the Incarnation is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the tallest cathedral of Andalusia, built between 1528 and 1782 on the site of a former mosque, mingling baroque, Renaissance and Gothic; you admire its portal with sculpted medallions, its choir with wooden stalls and its great organs of more than four thousand pipes, and you notice its unfinished south tower that earns it the nickname of La Manquita. The Cathedral of the Incarnation is a spiritual heart of Malaga. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Cathedral of the Incarnation lies in the heart of the historic centre of Malaga, near the Plaza del Obispo, reachable on foot. A place of worship in activity, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally subject to a fee and the hours vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the cathedral of Malaga nicknamed La Manquita?

Because its south tower and part of its façade remain unfinished, for lack of funds at the time, which earned it the affectionate nickname of La Manquita, the little one-armed; built between 1528 and 1782 on the site of a former mosque, mingling baroque, Renaissance and Gothic, it is the tallest cathedral of Andalusia, famous for its choir and its great organs.

Where is the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Malaga?

In the heart of the historic centre of Malaga, near the Plaza del Obispo, in Spain.