Art and culture
Church cathedral of Santa María la Mayor
The successor of the former cathedral, the church cathedral of Santa María la Mayor is in the town of Mérida, in the middle of the Plaza de España.
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- Church cathedral of Santa María la Mayor
Archiepiscopal see shared with Badajoz
Location and Contact:
- Contact person: Tourist Information Office
- Tel.:+34 924 38 01 91
- Email: info@turismomerida.org
- Website address: www.turismomerida.org
- Opening times
During mass time.
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The successor of the former cathedral, the church cathedral of Santa María la Mayor is in the town of Mérida, in the middle of the Plaza de España.
The church cathedral of Santa María la Mayor stands in the historical heart of the capital of Extremadura and, together with Badajoz cathedral, is the archiepiscopal see of the archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz. It is the successor of the town's previous cathedral, as can be seen from its current appearance, which began to be defined after the city was reconquered from the Arabs, so its oldest remains are from the 13th century.
The church cathedral has three doorways: the doorway of Santa María, the puerta del perdón or 'door of forgiveness' and the north door or door of San Juan Macías. On the inside you can appreciate the rectangular layout consisting of three naves separated by square-section pillars, with a column adjoined to the front of each one and a Mudéjar-style ceiling. It also has a presbytery or main chapel and several minor chapels.
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- Origin:
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- 13th century
- Construction:
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- Co-cathedral
- Art period:
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- Mudejar
- Period in history:
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- 13th century
Accessibility:
- Disabled access
Gallery:
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