Alcalá de Henares Cathedral
The Magistral Cathedral of Saint Justus and Saint Pastor (Spanish: Catedral de los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor) is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Together with Saint Peter's of Leuven, they are the only churches worldwide to hold the title of Magistral, as their canons are required to be doctors in Theology.[3]
| Alcalá de Henares Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Magistral Cathedral of Saint Justus and Saint Pastor | |
| Catedral Magistral de los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor | |
 West façade in 2023. | |
 | |
| 40°28′50″N 3°22′09″W / 40.480525°N 3.369258°W | |
| Location | Alcalá de Henares |
| Address | 328, Plaza de los Santos Niños |
| Country | Spain |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | visitacatedraldealcala |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Dedication | Justus and Pastor |
| Dedicated | 23 July 1991[1] |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Antón Egas, Enrique Egas |
| Style | Late Gothic, Mudéjar |
| Years built | 1497—1516 |
| Specifications | |
| Tower height | 62 m (203 ft 5 in)[2] |
| Administration | |
| Metropolis | Madrid |
| Diocese | Alcalá de Henares (since 1991) |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Antonio Prieto Lucena |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) |
| Designated | 1998 (22nd session) |
| Part of | University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares |
| Reference no. | 876 |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 22 December 1904 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000085 |
The archbishop Carrillo (1446-1482) elevated the church to the rank of collegiate church. The current building was designed during the time of Cardinal Cisneros (1495-1517) he was awarded the title of "Master" and the current building was designed and constructed between 1497 and 1516 in late Gothic style typical of the age.[4] The tower was built between 1528 and 1582.
It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1904.[5] During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the church was burned. It lost virtually all its treasures in the fire, saving some bars and some chairs from the old choir. In 1991 the diocese of Alcalá restored and elevated to the status of cathedral-master, the Diocese Complutense recovering that which was from the 5th century until 1099.
Exterior
editThe exterior of the cathedral is simple and austere. The walls are covered by molding type Segovia. They emphasize the cover of the western facade of Flamboyant Gothic style, in which central medallion depicted on Saint Ildefonso; and the tower, designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón[6] and Rodrigo Argüello, in herrerian style, with a height of 62.05 meters. Top is a beautiful spire tower slate.
The cathedral has a severe seventeenth century cloister arches between pilasters. Soils appear covered by Renaissance carpets from nearby convents. In one of the walls the grave of Cardinal Cisneros remains.
Interior
editThe building's interior is divided into three naves covered by cross vaults resting on pillars fasciculados. The overall shape of the building resembles the traditional Latin cross with marked transept. The entire building suffered much in that fire, and countless works of art and objects of great historical, devotional and sentimental value were lost. Today the cathedral houses apart from its religious functions, an interpretive center and the Cathedral Museum.
Gallery
edit-
Main portico. -
Central Nave -
Church tower -
Spiral staircase to access the bell tower -
Silver urn -
Cloister
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References
edit- ^ "Monumento Catedral Magistral de Alcalá de Henares". Alcalá Tourism Office. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
- ^ "Catedral de Alcalá". rutasconhistoria.es. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ De la Morena, A (1999). La Catedral-Magistral de Alcalá de Henares, Patrimonio de la Humanidad (in Spanish). Diócesis de Alcalá de Henares. ISBN 84-89285-12-8.
- ^ Comunidad Madrid website, Culture section, Restoration of the Magistral Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares
- ^ Spanish Ministry of Culture website, Inventario de Actuaciones en el Plan Nacional de Catedrales
- ^ Comunidad Madrid website, Culture section, Architects of Madrid: Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón
