Spain has 14 World Heritage cathedrals, where are they?
From Gothic to Baroque, Spanish cathedrals reflect the evolution of artistic styles and the identity of their regions.
Cathedrals, as architectural and religious landmarks, usually occupy a prominent place among the attractions preferred by travelers. In Spain, the wealth of these monuments is remarkable, with dozens of examples scattered throughout the country. Of these, 14 have been declared World Heritage Sites, individually or together with other historic buildings, a recognition that seeks to guarantee their conservation and highlight their historical and cultural importance.
Leon Cathedral. It stands out for its impressive medieval stained glass windows and its purity of Gothic style. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983. Burgos Cathedral. Built between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, it is an exponent of the Gothic style and is the only Spanish cathedral to be independently recognized. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. This unique monument combines Islamic and Christian elements, testimony to the coexistence of cultures in the Iberian Peninsula. It was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1984. Segovia Cathedral. Known as "The Lady of Cathedrals" for its elegance, it was built between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, and is one of the later Gothic cathedrals in Spain and Europe. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. Ávila Cathedral. Built into the city walls, it is one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain and was recognized by UNESCO in 1985. Mudejar Cathedrals of Aragon. Mudejar art appeared in Aragon around the 12th century. Some time later, this artistic legacy, unique in the world, would be included in the World Heritage List. In 1986, UNESCO recognized one of its greatest exponents in the cathedral of Santa María de Mediavilla in Teruel, formed by the tower, the dome and its roof, considered the "Sistine Chapel of Mudejar art". Zaragoza Cathedral, also known as La Seo, is a remarkable example of Aragonese Mudejar art and was recognized in 2001. Pro-cathedral church of Santa María of Cáceres. It was granted the category of Co-cathedral in 1957, sharing episcopal seat with the cathedral of Coria.It was built between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries on a previous work and its style is late Gothic. It was recognized by UNESCO in 1986. Toledo Cathedral. Known as the "Dives Toletana" for its artistic richness, this Gothic cathedral was recognized by UNESCO in 1986. Seville Cathedral. Considered the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, its construction began in the 15th century. Together with the Real Alcazar and the Archivo de Indias, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Salamanca Cathedral. Composed of two cathedrals, the Old and the New, this architectural ensemble was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1988. Cathedrals of the Camino de Santiago (Oviedo, Lugo, Bilbao, Mondoñedo and Santiago de Compostela). It has been listed since 1993. Cuenca Cathedral. Inspired by Anglo-Norman art, it is one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. San Cristóbal de La Laguna Cathedral . Located in Tenerife, it is an outstanding example of neoclassical architecture and was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1999. Baeza Cathedral. Built over the old aljama mosque, which had previously been a pagan temple, it has undergone numerous transformations, the most important being the one carried out during the sixteenth century, which determined the Renaissance style of its main façade. It has been on the list, along with Baeza and Úbeda, since 2003.