Old Roman Cathedral of St. Mary, Former cathedral in Plasencia, Spain.
The Old Roman Cathedral of St. Mary is a former cathedral in the center of Plasencia, built in the Romanesque and Proto-Gothic styles, with three naves and ribbed vaults. The chapter house, known as the Torre del Melón, is topped by a conical dome that stands apart from the rest of the building.
Construction began in the early 13th century and continued for about two centuries, with different architects directing each phase of the work. When a new, larger cathedral was built in Plasencia in the 16th century, this building lost its role as the main church of the diocese.
The interior houses a collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and religious objects from the 15th to 17th centuries that reflect the region's artistic and spiritual traditions. These works show how the cathedral served as a center for artistic patronage and worship over the centuries.
The building sits in the old town of Plasencia and is easy to reach on foot. It is worth setting aside enough time to look at both the outside facade and the interior, as each section offers something different.
During restoration work, layers of lime that had built up over centuries were removed from the walls, bringing the original three naves back into view. Beneath those layers, sections of the original wall paintings had survived, hidden from sight for hundreds of years.
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