Plasencia Cathedral

Description

Plasencia Cathedral consists of two buildings: the old (Catedral Vieja), dedicated to Saint Paul, and the new (Catedral Nueva). Construction began in the 13th-century in a mostly Romanesque style. The 15th-century new church was built in Gothic architectural style with high ceilings. The main retablo was built in the 17th-century, carved by Gregorio Fernández and painted by Francisco Ricci. The choirs are delicately carved. The old church now houses the Cathedral museum.

The Old Cathedral is an example of a transitional building from Romanesque to Gothic architectural styles. To the Romanesque style belong the fustis and capitals of its columns, while to the Gothic style belong its arches and windows, discovered in one of the most recent restorations. Its three naves were covered from the 18th century by a thick mantle of lime, which only after decaying has allowed observers to admire the slenderness of a solemn cathedral.