Name: Santa María Cathedral
Address: Plaça Pla de la Seu, Tarragona, 43003
Telephone: 977 238 685
Rating: 5.0000

Anushka

Was once the Temple of Augustus

Tarragona Cathedral was built in 1171, during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. It lies on the ruins of a mosque, a Visigoth Cathedral and what was once the Temple of Augustus dedicated to a Roman imperial cult. The style corresponds to the period of transition between Romanesque and Gothic.

The main facade has three doors, which correspond to the three halls of the church. The central and principal door is Gothic while the sides doors are Romanesque. Outside, there are statues of apostles and prophets adorning the façade. The mullion door bears the image of the Virgin and it’s a joy to watching the color of the stone change with the sunlight.

The Diocesan Museum of Tarragona was placed inside in 1911 and has a collection of about six thousand pieces, of which about three hundred and fifty are currently on display. There is also a 15th-century altarpiece, the Tomb of the Archbishop located on the main altar, and the Chapel of St. Mary from the 14th century (though I can’t comment on this, because it was closed when I went). I’ll definitely be back so I’ll tell you next time!

Transition from Romanesque to Gothic

This is a cathedral that dates back to 1184 and it is on the remains of an ancient Christian basilica that, in turn, occupied the site of a previous Arab mosque. It has a Latin cross layout with three halls and an ornate transept on which stands an octagonal dome. In the main facade there are two Romanesque doors from the XII century which show rosettes. The door has an image of the Virgin and Child. Inside, there's a 15th century altarpiece.