La Catedral de Badajoz fue levantada por mandato de Alfonso X El Sabio en el siglo XIII a base de mampostería y sillares de refuerzo. Dedicada a San Juan Bautista, fue declarada monumento histórico-artístico en 1931.
A simple vista, te llamará la atención la gran cantidad de escudos de obispos y nobles, además del de la diócesis, que luce su fachada. Para acceder al templo, se crearon tres puertas, siendo la más importante la llamada “del Cordero”, pues era la que usaban las personalidades de la época.
El interior de la catedral, con doce capillas menores, es fiel representante del gótico ya decadente y alberga verdaderas obras de arte. Cabe destacar la rejería de forja, que data de finales del s. XVII y sigue modelos del Alentejo portugués, y la gran lámpara que pende del crucero.
También son dignos de mención la sillería del coro, sus tres órganos barrocos, el altar mayor, el museo catedralicio y una magnífica exposición de tapices flamencos del siglo XVI que encontrarás a los pies del templo.
Antes de alejarte de la catedral, no olvides levantar la vista hacia sus 41 metros de torre, obra de Gaspar Mendes. En su sobria composición destacan dos hermosas ventanas labradas en piedra, una gótica y otra plateresca. Luce un reloj en dos de sus caras y está coronada por el cuerpo de campanas y las almenas, que otorgan una sensación de fortaleza a la catedral metropolitana.
[www.turismoextremadura.com]
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Badajoz Cathedral was constructed in the 13th century by order of King Alfonso X “The Wise”. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, it was declared a Site of Historic and Artistic Interest in 1931.
The first thing that strikes you is the large number of coats of arms pertaining to bishops and noblemen, as well as that of the diocese, adorning the fagade. There are three entrances into the cathedral, the most important being the one known as “del Cordero” (literally, The Sheep Door), as it was the one used by the more famous figures of that period.
The inside has twelve minor chapels and is a fine example of decadent Gothic architecture, housing some truly superb works of art. Its many outstanding features include the 17th century wrought-ironwork, which follows the Portuguese Alentejo style, as well as the huge lamp that hangs from the transept.
We should also highlight the masonry of the choir, its three Baroque organs, the main altar, the Cathedral Museum and a magnificent collection of 16th century Flemish tapestries.
It also boasts a tower of 41 metres in height, built by Gaspar Mendes Its outstanding design includes two magnificent windows carved in stone, one gothic and the other plateresque. It has a clock on two sides and is crowned by a bell tower and battlements, giving this metropolitan cathedral the appearance of a fortress.
[www.turismoextremadura.com]
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