At the time of the Reconquista, Granada was the last bastion and enclave of the Moors, and its fall ended almost 800 years of Arab rule over large parts of the Iberian Peninsula. No wonder, then, that the Spanish rulers, after conquering this city, decided to make it a symbol of their triumph.
On 2 January 1492, the last emir of Granada – Muhammad XI, called Baoabdil – surrendered the city to the Catholic kings, namely Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. These, as a sign of victory over Islam, ordered the construction of numerous temples to represent the power of Christianity. The most impressive of these is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Catedral de Santa María de la Encarnación).
A monumental child of many architects
Although construction of this magnificent temple began in 1532, it was not completed until 1704. Initially supervised by the architect Enrique Egas, his role was later taken over by Diego de Siloe, the artist who introduced the idea of the Italian Renaissance to Spain. After de Siloe’s death, work was carried out by other architects, including the extremely talented Alonso Cano. It was he who created the characteristic façade, reminiscent of a huge triumphal arch.
The style represented by the Catedral de Santa María de la Encarnación is called Isabelian. Its name derives from the initiator of the construction, Queen Isabella I of Castile, to whom the country owes its rapid development. Among other things, it was she who gave decisive support to Christopher Columbus and made Spain the dominant force in the race for overseas territories. The Isabelline style is an eclectic phenomenon in the world of architecture. It is a combination of the phenomenal mudejar style (you can read more about it on our blog) with Flemish, Gothic (with a predominance of English Gothic), Renaissance and even Baroque elements.
Interiors not to be missed
A visit to the interior of the cathedral is a real feast for the soul. The austere white walls and columns (a remarkable 43 metres high!) contrast beautifully with the richness of the gilded decorations, the impressive choir and the magnificent sculptures. The sacristy is worth a look, as it houses a museum with ornate chalices, processional crosses, reliquaries, as well as Queen Isabella’s insignia, Ferdinand’s sword and flags remembering the conquest of Granada. Lovers of painting will also find something for themselves here. The museum features works by Hans Memling, Rogier van der Weyden and Sander Botticelli, as well as an extraordinary collection of Flemish and Italian tapestries.
Royal Chapel – Capilla Real
Also attached to the cathedral is the famous Royal Chapel, or mausoleum, where Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon are buried, as well as their daughter Joan of Arc and her husband Philip I the Beautiful. The tombs were created from noble Carrara marble and were made by the extremely talented Florentine sculptor Domenico Fancelli. Beneath the tombs is a descent leading to the crypts – where you can see the original coffins containing the remains of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Spaniards believe that to be in Andalusia and skip Granada is like not being there at all. And there is a lot of truth in this when you consider the undeniable beauty of the place and its historical significance. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Incarnation is the heart of the city, and a visit there is a truly unforgettable experience.
One on any visit to Granada must not miss Europe’s finest example of Arab architecture – the Alhambra. More about the Alhambra coming soon….
