Tortosa Cathedral

The Basilica of Santa Maria is located in the old center of the city of Tortosa, on the banks of the river Ebro. The cathedral is considered a remarkable work of the Catalan Gothic thanks to the elegant and refined stylistic unity. It has a basilical ground plan, with three naves without crossing, separated by great pillars and covered with rib vault. One of the most singular elements of the building is the head, formed by a semicircular apse surrounded by a double ambulatory with communicated chapels, a unique case in Catalonia.

The construction of the present Gothic cathedral it started in the year 1347 beginning with the apse, continuing slowly until the 18th century. The previous Romanesque cathedral was demolished as the new works were realized.

Highlights

✔ The Gothic altarpiece of Santa Maria de la Estrella, made in 1351, which presides over the high altar. It is a wonderful polyptic ensemble built in polychrome and golden wood that relate the life of Jesus and Virgin Mary.
✔ The chapels, located between the buttresses. Particularly noteworthy are is the baroque chapel dedicated to the Virgen de la Cinta, patron saint of the city.
✔ The main facade, baroque style, unfinished. It is structured in five vertical parts separated by large pilasters with compound capitals.
✔ The cloister (12th - 14th centuries), trapezoidal-shaped, with covered galleries formed by thin ogival arches supported on columns. Here the city council of the city held meetings in the Middle Ages.
✔ The Olivera Door, baroque (18th century), allows access to the cathedral through the cloister.
✔ The Gothic stained glass windows.
✔ The permanent exhibition, located in the halls of the Canonical. It exhibits about 200 pieces of religious art coming from the cathedral treasury.