Catedral de Málaga (Malaga Cathedral), Malaga

Catedral de Málaga (Malaga Cathedral), Malaga (must see)

Malaga Cathedral has the nickname, "La Manquita" or "the One-armed Lady." The "arms" of the Cathedral are its towers. The north tower of the cathedral is 276 feet high. The south tower is unfinished. A plaque at the stunted south tower explains why. The funds earmarked for the tower were given to the American revolutionaries instead.

This windfall for the Americans occurred through the good offices of Luis de Unzaga, who was governor of what is now Louisiana, with connections to King Carlos III of Spain. So, the cathedral has been short-armed since at least 1776. Groundbreaking for the cathedral took place in 1528. It was considered finished in 1782.

The cathedral is designed by Diego de Siloe in the Renaissance tradition, inside and out. De Siloe learned the Italian Renaissance styles in Naples in 1517. He combined these elements with Spanish Gothic and Arab architectural motifs. The cathedral has a nave and two aisles. The stalls of the choir are the work of Pedro de Mena.

The facade of the cathedral differs from the rest of the building in that it is in Baroque style. It is in two levels. There are three arches on the lower level with portals flanked by marble columns. Medallions above the doors represent the patron saints of Malaga, Cyriacus and Paula and the Annunciation of the Virgin.

Why You Should Visit:
Richly decorated and architecturally interesting. Very interesting chapels all around inside and the views from the bell tower over the city and beyond should definitely not be missed if you are fit.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Malaga. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Catedral de Málaga (Malaga Cathedral) on Map

Sight Name: Catedral de Málaga (Malaga Cathedral)
Sight Location: Malaga, Spain (See walking tours in Malaga)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Malaga, Spain

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Architectural Jewels of Malaga

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Malaga is old. It is 2,800 years old. It is thought to have been founded by Phoenician traders in 770 BC. From its beginnings, it was a natural waypoint between Phoenicia in the eastern Mediterranean and Gibraltar. Cathaginians and, later, Romans ruled the city. Their core settlements were in an area between Gibralfaro Hill to the Guadalmedina River.

From the eighth century to the end of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

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