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Cathedral of San Salvador (Oviedo)
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is a Roman Catholic cathedral
and minor basilica
in the centre of Oviedo
, in the Asturias
region of northern Spain
.
The cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo remains today as a unique example of different architectural styles, from Pre-Romanesque to Baroque, including Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance parts. Originally, there was a big Pre-Romanesque basilica in the present location of the Sothic cathedral, but nothing is known about that first building (which was built by order of King Alfonso II of Asturias
The Chaste).
in 781, and enlarged in 802 by Alfonso II of Asturias
, who made Oviedo the capital of Kingdom of Asturias
, and with his Court resided here. He created the See of Oviedo in 810. The present edifice was begun by Bishop Gutierre of Toledo in 1388, and the tower added by Cardinal Francisco Mendoza de Bobadilla
in 1528.
The Cathedral was restored in the 12th century by Archbishop Pelayo, the chronicler. Bishop Fernando Alfonso (1296–1301) undertook another restoration of the chapter-house, and his successor, Fernando Alvarez (1302–1321), began the cloister. At the end of the 13th century Gutierre de Toledo began the new Gothic basilica, the principal chapel bearing his arms, though it was completed by his successor Guillén. Diego Ramirez de Guzmán
(1421–41) built the two chapels of the south transept (now replaced by the sacristy), the old entrance to the church, and the gallery of the cloister adjoining the chapter-house. Alonzo de Palenzuela (1470–85) completed the other part of the transept. Juan Arias (1487–97) left his cognizance, the fleur-de-lys and four scallops, on the nave. Juan Daza (1497–1503) erected the grille of the choir; Valerano (1508–12) added the stained-glass windows. Diego de Muros, founder of the great college at Salamanca known as the Oviedo, had the crestings of the porch wrought by Pedro de Bunyeres and Juan de Cerecedo, while Giralte de Bruselas and Juan de Balmaseda completed in the years 1512 to 1517 the carving of the precious altarpiece ordered by Valeriano Órdoñez de Villaquirán. Cristóbal de Rojas (1546–56) affixed his coat-of-arms to the completed tower, with its octagonal pyramid, one of the marvels of Gothic architecture.
The latest medieval part, the narthex, was designed by Juan de Badajoz, whose original project included a double-towered facade (though due to financial issues, only a tower was built). This western tower, one of the best examples of Flamboyant Gothic in Spain, was finished by architect Gil de Hontañón, who added to the structure an openwork chapitel in a modern Renaissance style. Renaissance is also represented by the unique altarpiece placed at the end of the choir, a great piece of sculpture and painting, maybe one of the best of Spain in its kind.
Baroque elements include some lateral private chapels (Capilla de los Vigiles), the Pantheon of Asturian Kings and the ambulatory (recently restored). There are some relevant altarpieces in a profuse baroque fashion too.
The chief feature of the cathedral is the "Camara Santa", with its venerable relics. Bishop Pelayo relates that the Agatha Box, a coffer made by the disciples of the Apostles, and containing the most precious relics of the Holy City, was taken from Jerusalem to Africa, and after several translations was finally deposited at Oviedo by Alfonso II. In the 16th century, Bishop Cristóbal de Sandoval y Rojas wished to open it, but could not, being overcome with religious fear. Many other relics are to be seen.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
and minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
in the centre of Oviedo
Oviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
, in the Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
region of northern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
The cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo remains today as a unique example of different architectural styles, from Pre-Romanesque to Baroque, including Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance parts. Originally, there was a big Pre-Romanesque basilica in the present location of the Sothic cathedral, but nothing is known about that first building (which was built by order of King Alfonso II of Asturias
Alfonso II of Asturias
Alfonso II , called the Chaste, was the king of Asturias from 791 to his death, the son of Fruela I and the Basque Munia.He was born in Oviedo in 759 or 760. He was put under the guardianship of his aunt Adosinda after his father's death, but one tradition relates his being put in the monastery of...
The Chaste).
History
The Cathedral was founded by King Fruela I of AsturiasFruela I of Asturias
Fruela I , called the Cruel, was the King of Asturias from 757 until his death, when he was assassinated. He was the eldest son of Alfonso I and continued the work of his father....
in 781, and enlarged in 802 by Alfonso II of Asturias
Alfonso II of Asturias
Alfonso II , called the Chaste, was the king of Asturias from 791 to his death, the son of Fruela I and the Basque Munia.He was born in Oviedo in 759 or 760. He was put under the guardianship of his aunt Adosinda after his father's death, but one tradition relates his being put in the monastery of...
, who made Oviedo the capital of Kingdom of Asturias
Kingdom of Asturias
The Kingdom of Asturias was a Kingdom in the Iberian peninsula founded in 718 by Visigothic nobles under the leadership of Pelagius of Asturias. It was the first Christian political entity established following the collapse of the Visigothic kingdom after Islamic conquest of Hispania...
, and with his Court resided here. He created the See of Oviedo in 810. The present edifice was begun by Bishop Gutierre of Toledo in 1388, and the tower added by Cardinal Francisco Mendoza de Bobadilla
Francisco Mendoza de Bobadilla
Francisco Mendoza de Bobadilla was a Spanish Roman Catholic Cardinal.-Biography:He was born in Cuenca, the son of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, first marquis of Cañete and Viceroy of Navarre during the reign of King Charles V...
in 1528.
The Cathedral was restored in the 12th century by Archbishop Pelayo, the chronicler. Bishop Fernando Alfonso (1296–1301) undertook another restoration of the chapter-house, and his successor, Fernando Alvarez (1302–1321), began the cloister. At the end of the 13th century Gutierre de Toledo began the new Gothic basilica, the principal chapel bearing his arms, though it was completed by his successor Guillén. Diego Ramirez de Guzmán
Diego Ramírez de Guzmán
Diego Ramirez de Guzman became the bishop of Catania, Italy on 26 June 1500, after having been promoted previously to bishop of Lugo, Spain, on 7 February 1500 . He replaced there Spanish bishop Francisco Desprats,...
(1421–41) built the two chapels of the south transept (now replaced by the sacristy), the old entrance to the church, and the gallery of the cloister adjoining the chapter-house. Alonzo de Palenzuela (1470–85) completed the other part of the transept. Juan Arias (1487–97) left his cognizance, the fleur-de-lys and four scallops, on the nave. Juan Daza (1497–1503) erected the grille of the choir; Valerano (1508–12) added the stained-glass windows. Diego de Muros, founder of the great college at Salamanca known as the Oviedo, had the crestings of the porch wrought by Pedro de Bunyeres and Juan de Cerecedo, while Giralte de Bruselas and Juan de Balmaseda completed in the years 1512 to 1517 the carving of the precious altarpiece ordered by Valeriano Órdoñez de Villaquirán. Cristóbal de Rojas (1546–56) affixed his coat-of-arms to the completed tower, with its octagonal pyramid, one of the marvels of Gothic architecture.
Building
There are some Romanesque remains, as the Southern Tower, or the upper part of the Holy Chamber, which includes a fantastic collection of Romanesque column-statues. The cathedral of San Salvador is mainly a fine gothic building, which was built between 14th and 16th centuries in a Classic and Flamboyant Style. The Chapter Room, whose construction was started in 1388,was the first part of the new gothic cathedral to be finished: built in a classic gothic fashion (including a great eight-sided dome), it was followed by the cloister and the choir (ca.1400). The naves were built once the choir was finished,all through the 15th century. We can admire the progression of the constructive stages, taking as an example the tracery of windows and tryphorium. The sanctuary is still a classical-gothic work, whereas the naves present typical flame-like elements typical of a late-gothic style.Baroque elements include some lateral private chapels (Capilla de los Vigiles), the Pantheon of Asturian Kings and the ambulatory (recently restored). There are some relevant altarpieces in a profuse baroque fashion too.
Cámara Santa
The cathedral was also called Sancta Ovetensis; owing to quantity and quality of relics contained in the (Holy Chamber). The Holy Chamber remains as the only sample of the ancient high-medieval complex. It was built as a relics' room to keep the different treasures associated to the Asturian Monarchy (Cross of Angels, Cross of Victory, Agatha Box).The chief feature of the cathedral is the "Camara Santa", with its venerable relics. Bishop Pelayo relates that the Agatha Box, a coffer made by the disciples of the Apostles, and containing the most precious relics of the Holy City, was taken from Jerusalem to Africa, and after several translations was finally deposited at Oviedo by Alfonso II. In the 16th century, Bishop Cristóbal de Sandoval y Rojas wished to open it, but could not, being overcome with religious fear. Many other relics are to be seen.
Burials
- Saint Eulogius of CórdobaEulogius of CórdobaSaint Eulogius of Córdoba was one of the Martyrs of Córdoba. He flourished during the reigns of the Cordovan emirs Abd-er-Rahman II and Muhammad I .-Birth:...
- Fruela I of AsturiasFruela I of AsturiasFruela I , called the Cruel, was the King of Asturias from 757 until his death, when he was assassinated. He was the eldest son of Alfonso I and continued the work of his father....
- Munia Lopez de Gascogne, wife of Fruela I
- Teresa de Leon, wife of Sancho I of LeónSancho I of LeónSancho I , called the Fat, was the son of King Ramiro II of León. He succeeded his half-brother Ordoño III in 956 and reigned until his death, except for a two year interruption from 958 to 960, when Ordoño the Wicked usurped the throne...
- Jimena De Pamplona, wife of Alfonso III of LeónAlfonso III of LeónAlfonso III , called the Great, was the king of León, Galicia and Asturias from 866 until his death. He was the son and successor of Ordoño I. In later sources he is the earliest to be called "Emperor of Spain"...
- Saint LeocadiaLeocadiaSaint Leocadia is a Spanish saint. She is thought to have died on December 9, ca. 304, in the Diocletian persecution.The feast day for St. Leocadia of Toledo appears under 9 December in the historical martyrologies of the ninth century. Her name is not mentioned by Prudentius in his hymn on the...
, relics later moved from Oviedo - Saint Pelayo (912-925)