The Seville Cathedral or Catedral de Santa María de la Sede is one of the must-visits in Seville. The massive UNESCO World Heritage Site took over a century to build (1402-1506!!!) and is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the third largest church, next only to Saint Peter's in Vatican and Saint Paul's in London.
Seville Cathedral
Outside the cathedral were several horse-drawn carriages waiting to take visitors around the city
I couldn't resist doing the touristy bit and hopped on the very first one I saw. Hahaha!
One of the drivers offered to take my photos for souvenir and snapped away while running around
after us. What a nice gentleman! But this was the only clear shot out of 15 or so blurry ones. Lol.
Anyway, back to the Cathedral.
While drawing up the construction plans, it was said that the members of the cathedral declared, "Hagamos una iglesia tan hermosa y tan grandiosa que los que la vieren labrada nos tengan por locos." (Let us build a church so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it finished will think we are mad).
And succeeded, they did.
After its completion in 1506, the Seville Cathedral replaced Hagia Sophia in Istanbul as the
largest cathedral in the world.
The central nave rises to an awe-inspiring 42 meters
Inside the cathedral are 80 chapels, some even larger than actual churches
It is also the burial site of Christopher Columbus. The tomb of the great explorer is
carried by four men representing the kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarra.
Next to the Cathedral is its bell tower, Giralda.
The Giralda stands 343 feet tall and, YES, I climbed all the way to the top!!!
Lovers inscriptions everywhere
The bell chamber
I walked 35 inclining ramps to get up here so I needed a photo to prove it!
Here's a dorky one with me on tiptoes because the lady who took the
picture was having a hard time fitting me and the bells in one frame.
The views from up the tower were breathtaking
The Giralda is one of the most important symbols of Seville and I urge you to get your butts up here.
I promise you it's worth it.
One last selfie before I worked my way down
At the end of the staircase was… LUNCH! :D
Catedral de Sevilla Website