General contractor (1249-1724) Phone +34 953 23 42 33 | Opened 1556 Architectural type Church | |
 | ||
Address Plaza de Santa María, s/n, 23002 Jaén, Spain Similar Castle of Santa Catalina, Iglesia de San Ildefonso, Arc of San Lorenzo, Centro Cultural Palacio d, Baeza Cathedral Profiles | ||
The Assumption of the Virgin Cathedral is a Renaissance-style, Roman Catholic cathedral located in Santa María Square, opposite the Town Hall and the Episcopal Palace, in the center of Jaén, region of Andalusia, Spain.
History
The cathedral stands on a site once occupied by a mosque. Construction began in 1249 atop the ruins of the mosque. The church was damaged and rebuilt on numerous occasions during the following two centuries until the sixteenth century, when several architects, Andrés de Vandelvira being the most important one, built the biggest part of the Cathedral. It was consecrated in 1724.
The more representative architectural element is its façade, designed by Eufrasio López de Rojas and sculpted by Pedro Roldán. It houses, with other artworks, a depiction of the Veil of Veronica. Around 1545 the young Francisco Guerrero was the maestro de capilla.
This Cathedral aspires to be listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.