Cuenca Cathedral

Cuenca Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral in Cuenca, Spain, set on a high rocky outcrop above the Huécar river gorge. The church has a triple-aisled nave with ribbed vaults, several side chapels, and a main altar whose design combines elements from different periods.

Construction began in 1183 on the site of a former mosque after King Alfonso VIII of Castile conquered the city of Cuenca in 1177. Building work extended over several centuries, and later alterations led to the addition of neo-Gothic elements in the early 20th century.

The cathedral is known as Santa María la Mayor and shapes the urban landscape in the old town with its unusual facade that stands apart from other Castilian church buildings. Visitors quickly notice the colored glass windows that fill the interior with colored light, and the side chapels that were donated by local families over centuries.

Access to the church is through steep lanes in the old town quarter, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes because the surroundings are uneven and sloping. Regular guided tours offer insights into the chapels, choir stalls, and architectural details, with visits lasting around one hour.

Inside, there are sculptures of animals from the Americas, including an armadillo and a puffer fish, showing the influence of European voyages of discovery on religious art. These motifs are unusual for a medieval church and reflect Spain's worldwide connections in the 16th and 17th centuries.