Torre del Sagrario

The Torre del Sagrario, in Cadix

The Torre del Sagrario is one of the most emblematic landmarks of old Cadix, attached to the church of Santa Cruz, the former cathedral of the town, facing the sea. The Cadix audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this witness of eight centuries of religious history, whose massive silhouette would have for origin, according to some, the former minaret of a mosque.

The bell tower of the former cathedral

You are at the foot of the Torre del Sagrario, one of the most emblematic landmarks of old Cadix. This tower, attached to the church of Santa Cruz, the former cathedral of the town, dominates the Campo del Sur, facing the sea. You find yourself here in front of a privileged witness of eight centuries of religious and architectural history, to be discovered with respect. The current tower dates from 1692, but its origins could be older still: some think that it would be the former minaret of the mosque that rose here before the Reconquest, others that it would be a Mudejar construction of the thirteenth century. Its rectangular silhouette, solid and massive, reflects the architecture of the end of the seventeenth century, while its current appearance owes much to a great reform carried out in the middle of the eighteenth century by Torcuato Cayón, one of the most important architects of Cadix. Cayón, a key figure of the transition between baroque and neoclassicism, worked both on the new cathedral and on this tower, to which he gave the elegance that distinguishes it still today. If you are here at dusk, pay attention to the atmosphere of the Campo del Sur, when the golden light illuminates the stone and the sea is tinted with changing reflections, in an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. An ancient tower and a witness of faith, the Torre del Sagrario is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, one of the landmarks of old Cadix, the tower attached to the church of Santa Cruz, the former cathedral, facing the Campo del Sur and the sea; witness of eight centuries of religious history, its massive silhouette dated 1692 would have for origin, according to some, the former minaret of a mosque, and was embellished in the eighteenth century by the architect Torcuato Cayón. The Torre del Sagrario is a witness of faith in Cadix. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Torre del Sagrario stands on the Campo del Sur, attached to the church of Santa Cruz, in old Cadix, reachable on foot. You admire its silhouette from the street, with respect for the place of worship; any visits follow the conditions of the parish, which vary. You discover it at dusk, facing the sea.

Was the Torre del Sagrario of Cadix a minaret?

It is a hypothesis: some think that it would be the former minaret of the mosque that rose here before the Reconquest, others that it would be a Mudejar construction of the thirteenth century; the current tower dates from 1692 and was embellished in the eighteenth century by Torcuato Cayón. Attached to the church of Santa Cruz, the former cathedral, it testifies to eight centuries of religious history of Cadix.

Where is the Torre del Sagrario in Cadix?

On the Campo del Sur, attached to the church of Santa Cruz, in old Cadix, in Spain.