THE SUN PLACES unveils the best-kept secrets of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See.
Is Seville Cathedral very big?
It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest Christian church, surpassed only by St. Peter's (Vatican) and St. Paul's (London). But its most peculiar feature lies beneath your feet: its floor plan is square, not a Latin cross. The reason is that it was built on the site of the former Almohad Great Mosque, adapting to its structure. From that Islamic temple, it inherited its most prized jewel: the minaret, transformed into the Giralda, which, at 104.5 meters, was once the tallest tower in the world. The Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees) and the Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Forgiveness) are also direct legacies of the mosque.
The Giralda holds more than one wonder. To begin with, it has no stairs, but rather 35 ramps built so that the sultan could ride his horse to the very top. Its beauty is so universal that it has inspired replicas on several continents. The most famous are in Kansas City (USA), in the town of L’Arboç del Penedés (Tarragona), and, closer to home, in the Giraldilla of Carmona (Seville). Even New York's Madison Square Garden had one between 1890 and 1925.
Who is buried in Seville Cathedral?
Beyond the monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus (whose remains traveled from Havana in 1898), the Cathedral is the final resting place of crucial figures: King Ferdinand III the Saint, conqueror of the city; his son, Alfonso X the Wise; María de Padilla; and Hernando Colón, the Admiral's son and a great bibliographer.
Where is Seville Cathedral located?
Seville Cathedral, stands in the historic and monumental heart of the city. Its imposing silhouette dominates the Avenida de la Constitución—a wide pedestrian boulevard—and is in constant dialogue with other great treasures declared World Heritage Sites: the Giralda (its own bell tower), the General Archive of the Indies, and the Royal Alcázar.
Furthermore, its location is privileged: it borders directly on the Santa Cruz neighborhood, the most emblematic and charming district of Seville.
Living Traditions in Seville Cathedral
The Seville Cathedral is not only a historical monument, but also the setting for unique traditions that fuse faith, history, and Sevillian culture. These are some of the most emblematic:
- Saint Ferdinand's Day (May 30)King Ferdinand III, conqueror of the city, is honored. The celebration includes a solemn internal procession to the Royal Chapel, where his coffin is kept. In the morning, the faithful can view his mummy in the open urn. As the patron saint of the Corps of Engineers, a Mass with military honors is also celebrated in the Cathedral.
- The Dance of the Sixes. One of the most unique spectacles: ten children, dressed in 16th-century costumes, perform sacred dances before the High Altar. This solemn ritual takes place only three times a year: during Corpus Christi, the Immaculate Conception (December), and the Carnival Triduum.
- Procession of the Virgin of the Kings (August 15) The patron saint of Seville, a French-origin sculpture gifted to Ferdinand III, is carried in a morning procession around the Cathedral. On a platform adorned with tuberoses, she travels the streets for two hours before returning to her usual place in the Royal Chapel.
- The Tears of Saint Peter (June 28-29) A musical tradition dating back to 1403. From atop the Giralda tower, a clarinet plays a moving melody—"The Tears"—three times a day in remembrance of Saint Peter's repentance. It's a unique event at dawn and midday on June 29th.
- Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi procession in Seville maintains its traditional day (Thursday) and is of extraordinary solemnity. From the Cathedral departs a procession with images of Sevillian saints, culminating with the magnificent monstrances of Arfe and the Holy Thorn, priceless works of art.
- Saint Clement's Day (November 23) Commemorates the entry of Ferdinand III into Seville in 1248. In the so-called "Procession of the Sword," the king's sword, Lobera, the Banner of Saint Ferdinand, and a relic of the saint are carried in an event involving the Cathedral Chapter and the City Council.
- Seville's Holy Week 2026 will take place from March 29 to April 5th, with the celebration of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The opening day will be brought forward by 30 minutes, with the procession of the Holy Entry into Jerusalem beginning at 3:35 p.m. and ending with the departure of Our Lady of Perpetual Help through the Puerta de Palos at 11:36 p.m. Holy Tuesday will feature a new, agreed-upon order, and modifications will be introduced to the return routes of some brotherhoods.
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