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English: The New Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary,
Salamanca, Spain.
Lëtzebuergesch: Catedral Nueva de la Asunción de la Virgen.
Foto opgeholl den 19/09/2008 vum Aly Jentges.
Date: 7 January 2010 (original upload date).
Source: Transferred from lb.wikipedia; transferred to Commons
Permission: BILD-BY.
(Wikimedia Commons)
English: Altarpiece in the New Cathedral,
Salamanca, Spain.
Español: Retablo de la Capilla de la Soledad,
en la Catedral Nueva de Salamanca (España).
Photo: 15 May 2010.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Salamanca's New Cathedral (
Spanish:
Catedral Nueva) is, together with the
Old Cathedral, one of the two
Cathedrals of
Salamanca,
Spain. It was constructed, between the 16th-Century and the 18th-Century, in two styles; Late-
Gothic and
Baroque. Building began in 1513 and the Cathedral was
Consecrated in 1733. It was commissioned by King
Ferdinand V of Castile, Spain. It was declared a national monument by Royal Decree in 1887.
The building began at a time when the Gothic style was becoming less popular and was merging with the new
Renaissance style, giving the resulting
Plateresco style, in
Spain. However, this Cathedral retained more of its Gothic character, because the authorities wanted the New Cathedral to blend with the Old Cathedral [
Editor: Which is next door].
English: The Dome of the New Cathedral at Salamanca, Spain.
Español: Cúpula de la catedral Nueva de Salamanca, España.
Photo: 24 August 2008.
(Wikimedia Commons)
English: The Central Nave,
New Cathedral, Salamanca, Spain.
Español: Nave central de la Catedral Nueva.
Photo: February 2011.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Thus. the New Cathedral was constructed, continuing with the Gothic style during the 17th- and 18th-Centuries. However, during the 18th-Century, two elements were added that broke with the showy form of the predominant style of the building: a Baroque
Cupola on the
Transept and the final stages of the
Bell Tower.
The New Cathedral was constructed without the subsequent destruction of the Old Cathedral, as normally happened, but a wall of the New Cathedral leans on the North Wall of the Old Cathedral. For this reason, the Old Cathedral had to be reinforced. Two of the main architects of the Cathedral were
J. Gil de Hontañón and his son,
Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, in 1538. The New Cathedral's main entrance consists of three Arches, each leading to the three Naves of the Church.
Sculpture of an astronaut.
Added to the New Cathedral,
Salamanca, Spain, during renovations.
Photo: 7 October 2011.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The facade of the New Cathedral,
Salamanca, Spain.
Photo: 8 January 2006.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
English: The New Cathedral,
Salamanca, Spain, at Dusk.
Español: Anochecer de la catedral salmantina
una tarde de verano.
Photo: 29 September 2011.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Among the ornate carvings, on the façade, is the incongruous likeness of an astronaut floating in space. The New Cathedral was undergoing restoration work during that period, and one of the artisans, engaged in the project, chose to engage in a bit of tradition by "signing" his work with a contemporary symbol representative of the 20th century; an astronaut.
Cracks and the broken windows are visible reminders of the devastating effects of the
Lisbon Earthquake, that took place on 1 November 1755, which are still visible today. After the earthquake, repairs were necessary to the Cupola and the base of the Tower. The Tower is a virtual twin of the Tower of
Segovia Cathedral. The moment of this catastrophe is commemorated with the "
Mariquelo" tradition on 31 October, when, every year, residents climb to the Cupola, high above, and play flutes and drums.
