In front of the Cathedral passes what was once the principal road in Malaga, connecting the Alcazaba with the river Guadalmedina in ancient and Moorish times. This road, still in use today, comprises the streets Calle Cister, Calle Santa Maria, Constitution Square and the street Calle Compañia.

Located close to the city park, the Cathedral has its own gardens and a delightful terrace adorned with orange trees, reminding visitors of the ancient Mosque within whose confines it lies. Today the Cathedral no longer has dwellings built against its walls and there is only one large building nearby to detract from its beauty. It can be seen from the sea, the coast and the mountains that enclose the city and is the focal point of the city.

Construction work on the Cathedral was stopped before its completion more than two hundred years ago. The southern tower, several turrets and a balustrade, which would have completely enclosed the upper structure and supported several statues and the pediment, remain unbuilt.

The Cathedral is built in the Renaissance style. The original plans, no longer in existence, were drawn up by Burgos-born Diego de Siloé (1495-1563). Construction work began in 1528 under the direction of architect and master builder Pedro López. Others later took charge and modified the plans, amongst them: Andrés de Vandelvira (1509-1575) and Diego de Vergara, who continued as Master Builder until his death in 1583. The Basilica is rectangular in form with three naves of equal height. The two side naves, each a little narrower than the principal nave, join together behind it forming a semi-circular corridor, or ambulatory in archaeological terms, whose tiling was restored in early 1995.

In September 2011 a management plan was announced for the monument with the aim of improving its use and conservation. Gabriel Ruiz, the architect who oversaw the restoration works of the Cathedral of Cordoba, the Spanish embassy in Algiers and the historic Atocha train station in Madrid, is responsible for implementing the plan.

According to Ruiz, “the principal objective of the Cathedral Management Plan is to gain a full and unbiased understanding of the monument. Achieving this will require the gathering together of all the existing records and archives from various scientific disciplines - updating and correcting these where necessary. At the same time, a fresh study of the construction of the cathedral using modern technology is also required. The construction can tell us a great deal – it is the most important document we possess. This study will allow us to determine the current state of the monument and understand its present condition. Once we have completed this analysis, we will then be in a position to draft a proposal for the future”.

Autor: diocesismalaga.es/translation: Lingua Futura