Catedral de Málaga

Cathedral in Málaga

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Danielmlg86

The Catedral de Málaga or Málaga Cathedral was built in the 16th century on the site of the former mosque. Of the mosque, only the Patio de los Naranjos survives, a small courtyard of orange trees. The Cathedral of Málaga was designed in the Renaissance style by Diego de Siloe. It is located in the historic center of town and represents one of the most important architectural structures in Málaga.

Building the cathedral took some 200 years but such was the project’s cost that by 1782 it was decided that work would stop.

The cathedral’s north tower is 84 metres-tall, second only in Andalusia to La Giralda in Seville, there was supposed to be a South Tower, but instead the funds for this were diverted to help America gain independence from the British. The lack of a second bell tower gave the cathedral the nickname, La Manquita or The One-Armed Lady. If you take the 200 step climb to the top of the North Tower you will be rewarded with scenic view over the whole city, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle.

The stunning Baroque façade represents a unique contrast to the magnificent and numerous frescos on the inside, with the sculptural works of Pedro de Mena being among the most noteworthy.

Inside, the fabulous domed ceiling soars 40m into the air, while the vast colonnaded nave houses an enormous cedar-wood choir. Aisles give access to 15 chapels with gorgeous 18th-century religious art.

The ticket price includes use of an audio guide as well as entry to the Ars Málaga museum of religious art and African artifacts in the Bishop’s House opposite.

The Catedral de Málaga appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Málaga!

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