Segorbe Cathedral
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of Segorbe is a Roman Catholic church in Segorbe
, province of Castellón, Spain
. It is the see of the Diocese of Segorbe-Castellon. It was elevated to the rank of minor basilica
in 1985.
in such a manner that it preserves no trace of Arab architecture. Of this 13th century edifice, only parts of the western façade, the vaults of several chapels, the load-bearing walls, the tower of Santa Barbara, the bell tower and the cloister remain. It was consecrated on 7 May 1534, and has a single, cross-vaulted nave, without transept and dome, with chapels located between the buttress
es. It is connected by a bridge with the old episcopal palace.
The bell tower, with a massive appearance and a square plan, is typically Romanesque
in his simplicity. It stands at an height of 36 metres (118.1 ft). The Gothic cloister has a trapezoidal plan and two floors: the lower one dates to the 14th-15th centuries, while the other was added in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The main façade dates to 1665.
The presbytery was renewed in Renaissance style during the 16th century; the high altar was also added in 1530, under design by Vicente Juan Masip. The church is decorated by frescoes of Luis Planes.
The church was renovated in 1791-1795 in Neo-classic style, resulting in the nearly total hiding of the Gothic structure. The nave was lengthened, and new altars were added.
, the 15th century Flemish painting
, the 16th century Valencian school and more recent ones. Artists represented include Jaume Mateu
(St. Jerome Altarpiece, c. 1450), Vicente Juan Masip and his son Juan (two 16th century altarpieces), as well as the Italian Donatello
, with an attributed work.
Segorbe
Segorbe is a municipality in the mountainous coastal province of Castelló, autonomous community of Valencia, Spain. The former Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli now houses the city's mayor...
, province of Castellón, 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...
. It is the see of the Diocese of Segorbe-Castellon. It was elevated to the rank of 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 1985.
History
Located against the city's walls, the church, once a mosque, has been completely rebuilt in 1246 in Gothic styleGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
in such a manner that it preserves no trace of Arab architecture. Of this 13th century edifice, only parts of the western façade, the vaults of several chapels, the load-bearing walls, the tower of Santa Barbara, the bell tower and the cloister remain. It was consecrated on 7 May 1534, and has a single, cross-vaulted nave, without transept and dome, with chapels located between the buttress
Buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall...
es. It is connected by a bridge with the old episcopal palace.
The bell tower, with a massive appearance and a square plan, is typically Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
in his simplicity. It stands at an height of 36 metres (118.1 ft). The Gothic cloister has a trapezoidal plan and two floors: the lower one dates to the 14th-15th centuries, while the other was added in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The main façade dates to 1665.
The presbytery was renewed in Renaissance style during the 16th century; the high altar was also added in 1530, under design by Vicente Juan Masip. The church is decorated by frescoes of Luis Planes.
The church was renovated in 1791-1795 in Neo-classic style, resulting in the nearly total hiding of the Gothic structure. The nave was lengthened, and new altars were added.
Museum
The Cathedral museum houses several artworks by local and foreign artists, belonging to the International GothicInternational Gothic
International Gothic is a phase of Gothic art which developed in Burgundy, Bohemia, France and northern Italy in the late 14th century and early 15th century...
, the 15th century Flemish painting
Flemish painting
Flemish painting flourished from the early 15th century until the 17th century. Flanders delivered the leading painters in Northern Europe and attracted many promising young painters from neighbouring countries. These painters were invited to work at foreign courts and had a Europe-wide influence...
, the 16th century Valencian school and more recent ones. Artists represented include Jaume Mateu
Jaume Mateu
Jaume Mateu was a Valencian painter of the Gothic style. The nephew and collaborator of Pere Nicolau, he is known to have worked in Valencia from 1402 to 1453....
(St. Jerome Altarpiece, c. 1450), Vicente Juan Masip and his son Juan (two 16th century altarpieces), as well as the Italian Donatello
Donatello
Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi , also known as Donatello, was an early Renaissance Italian artist and sculptor from Florence...
, with an attributed work.