Bilbao Cathedral

Bilbao Cathedral ( Catedral de Santiago Apóstol - " of St James the Apostle Cathedral ") is the Episcopal Church Founded in 1949, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bilbao in the Basque city of Bilbao. The 1819 Minor Basilica raised Gothic church dates back to a pilgrim church in the coastal route of the Camino de Santiago. It was built up on the neo-Gothic portal facade of the late 14th -early 16th century.

History

The Romanesque chapel station for pilgrims existed long before the founding of the city of Bilbao in 1300. Remains of it are preserved in the crypt of the present church. The extensive new building with a cloister was begun in 1380 as a parish and collegiate church and witnessed the rapidly growing importance of the city. 1408 Vincent Ferrer preached in the unfinished church. 1483 confirmed Queen Isabella I here the privileges ( Fuero ) of the city.

Concurrent with the completion of the north portal Puerta del Ángel - topped with scallops - and the last chapels flamboyant beginning of the 16th century the Church was at that time a famous late Gothic Mannerism equipment, but this is largely lost. Also at the architecture caused fires in the years 1571 and 1641 and a flood of 1593 damage and changes. The portal facade and bell tower were completely rebuilt from 1885 to 1890 after plans by the local architect Severino Achúcarro; it was decided not to originally planned second tower.

Architecture and Facilities

The Cathedral of Saint Jacob was inspired by the French Gothic. She is a three-aisled basilica geostete with central transept. The aisles accompany the two nave and the choir two yokes and sit around the apse as ambulatory continued. This is surrounded by a ring of eleven chapels. In the north of the cloister is attached, to the west of the neo-Gothic west building with the clock tower.

The interior is remarkable for its - despite the long construction period - clear and well-proportioned. Below the ribbed vault and the clerestory windows circulates a triforium the entire room.

The altars are predominantly baroque.