The Seo Cathedral of San Salvador

About this heritage

The Seo del Salvador is one of the two cathedrals in Zaragoza, along with the Basilica of the Pilar. It is a place with a long history dating back to Roman times, when the forum of Caesaraugusta was located on this very site. Later, it was the location of the Great Mosque of Saraqusta, whose minaret still partially survives in the current tower.

To learn more

The Seo as we know it began construction in the 12th century, integrating Romanesque style into the previous mosque. It underwent renovations and expansions until 1704, the year the Baroque spire that crowns the tower was placed, and in 1788 sculptures representing the cardinal virtues were added to it.

The Seo consists of 5 naves and 6 sections covered with ribbed vaults, giving it an almost square appearance. Of the original 5, 2 apses remain at the head. As a curiosity, on the epistle side, above two of the disappeared ones, the sacristy was expanded. The remaining one, on the Gospel side, corresponds to the so-called Parroquieta, which houses the tomb of Lope de Luna.

The combination of marble, bronze, polychrome and gilded wood, and plaster, combined in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, gives the interior of the temple a unique light worthy of experiencing firsthand.

On the exterior of the apses, the construction sequence of the temple is visible. The lower part uses ashlar stone and Romanesque style, continuing the building in brick with Mudéjar decorations and Gothic windows. Next to the apses, we find the facade of the “Parroquieta,” a masterpiece of Aragonese Mudéjar – a UNESCO World Heritage site – along with the dome. Its 17th-century Baroque tower and the neoclassical main facade also stand out.

The Seo documents the first Aragonese baldachin imitating Bernini’s for St. Peter’s in the Vatican (1624-1633), which can be seen in the chapel of San Pedro Arbués (1660).

The Gothic altarpiece of the Main Chapel, in polychrome alabaster, was commissioned by Archbishop Dalmau de Mur.

The Seo is, and has always been since its construction, the seat of the archbishop and the mother of all churches in the diocese. A sacred building par excellence dedicated to divine worship, it represents for Christians a sign and image of the heavenly Church.

Its Tapestry Museum, located inside the temple, exhibits one of the best collections in the world of Flemish tapestries from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, woven in the famous European workshops of Arras, Tournai, and Brussels.

To know it better

The Cathedral of Salvador in Zaragoza, known as La Seo, plays a significant role not only in religious and cultural spheres but also in education. Here are some of its educational uses:

La Seo organizes guided tours that allow students and the general public to explore the cathedral from an educational perspective. These tours are usually led by experts in history, art, and architecture, who provide detailed explanations about the different architectural styles, artworks, and the building’s history. These tours are a valuable educational tool for students of various academic levels, from primary school to university.

The cathedral has specific educational programs for schoolchildren. These programs are designed to complement the academic curriculum and offer students a practical and visual learning experience. Activities may include art workshops where children learn about the techniques used in the works found in the cathedral, or historical research activities where students explore the cathedral’s evolution through the centuries.

In addition to its permanent exhibition, La Seo organizes temporary exhibitions addressing specific topics related to its heritage or the history of Zaragoza. These exhibitions are usually accompanied by educational activities such as talks, workshops, and specialized guided tours, providing an additional learning opportunity.

The Tapestry Museum, located inside the cathedral, is another important educational resource. Visits to the museum allow students to closely examine one of the most important collections of Flemish tapestries in the world, understanding their historical, artistic, and technical context. Additionally, the museum can organize workshops and specific activities related to textile art and tapestry conservation.