The Gate of Forgiveness

From here you can spot the Patio de los Naranjos, or Orange Tree Courtyard. The doorway you’re looking through is the Puerta del Perdón—the Gate of Forgiveness. It’s the oldest surviving entrance to the cathedral and was most likely the main gateway to the mosque back in the 12th century. A gate built during Muslim rule, now serving as the entrance to a Catholic cathedral – that alone makes this a unique sight. It has been known as the Gate of Forgiveness since 1407. In Spain, this is a fairly common name for church entrances. It refers to the idea of indulgence and the forgiveness of sins, allowing the faithful to enter the church symbolically cleansed and ready for their encounter with God.