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It was in the 15th century that the cathedral was built after the demolition of the old Muslim mosque which stood there in the 12th century. After conquering Seville the catholic troops wanted to construct the biggest ever cathedral as a display of their power. It is recorded that one of the member belonging to the chapter had commented that "we shall have a church [so great and] of such a kind that those who see it built will think we were mad." In the year 1928 it was given the importance of a national monument and in 1987 the UNESCO granted it the status of World Heritage.
The structure has five naves and it took nearly hundred years for the construction of the cathedral. The Geralda Tower and the Patio Naranjos are the only two structures that have been retained from the mosque which stood there formerly. The length of the building is 126m , width is 83m and the area covered by it totals to 11,520 square meters making it larger than the Saint Paul’s in London and Saint Peter’s in Rome. What is impressive about the cathedral is its enormity and grandiose. There is a balance between the parts with a decoration that is simple and endearing. While the rows of the chapels in the side have undergone changes with the passage of time, the central part of the cathedral houses the coro which is a structure resembling a great box. This overlooks the Capilla Mayor which has about 45 scenes carved from Christ’s life. The altar is a prized possession of great repute and an outstanding work in wood carving of the Gothic era. This masterpiece is the result of the dedicated and single handed efforts of Pierre Dancart, a craftsman of great skill.
The end of the first aisle leads to a number of rooms designed by Diego de Riano, an exponent of the rich architecture of the Renaissance of Spain. The Capitular, which can be reached from the ante chamber, has an exquisite domed ceiling and houses many paintings by the famed artist Murillo. Nearby is the Sacrista Mayor in which is housed the treasury having a vast collection o f silver relics, sculptures and jewelry. Alongside is the tomb of Christopher Columbus which also arouses a great deal of interest.
There is a garden, at the back, having orange trees,known as the Orange-Trees Courtyard (Patio de los Naranjos) which offers a welcome place for resting after visiting the cathedral. This part has been retained from the original mosque built in the 12th century. It then served as an anteroom for the compulsory ablutions of the Muslims prior to gaining entry into the mosque. Presently the courtyard is joined by the Gate of Forgiveness which has a few catholic images. It is believed that the person who finds out the image having three hands will get married with ease. The rich architecture, history, museum and its magical quality make Sevilla’s cathedral an interesting building in Spain.
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