
Its History
HISTORICAL CHRONOGRAM
XII
XIII
S. XIV
S. XV
S. XVI
S. XVII
S. XVIII
S. XIX
S. XX
S. XXI
They dreamed, why not, that one day it would be the best Cathedral of the Archbishop of Seville and future Patriarch of the Indies; that the most splendid liturgical worship of the metropolis of Seville would be celebrated in it. They envisioned visitors being astonished to walk under its Gothic vaults and to discover its diverse iconography (painting, sculpture, gold and silver work, fabrics, choral books, stained glass windows) filling the various Gothic and Renaissance chapels. Later, these visitors would find themselves in the tranquil Patio de los Naranjos, where bibliographical and documentary treasures are safeguarded in the Archives and Chapter Library, leading to a unique sanctum sanctorum: the Colombina Library. Stone by stone, they watched this impressive “hollow mountain” grow under the stern gaze of the Giralda, the lady of Seville.
The Metropolitan Chapter has been its faithful custodian for seven centuries of rich history and aims to continue this legacy with increasingly modern and careful attention and organization. To this end, it maintains the daily liturgy of the Hours and the choral Mass, and breaks the mold in the celebration of major festivities such as Corpus Christi and the Immaculate Conception (including the dance of sixes, procession through the city, and ringing of its 24 bells). It also consistently attends to the devotion to the Virgin of the Kings and carries out extensive sacramental pastoral care as the first Church of the Diocese of Seville.
But there is more. This marvel must be shared by everyone, believers or not. To this end, it organizes lecture series, organ concerts during Advent and Lent, permanent exhibitions, and, above all, pays special attention to cultural visits to all its monuments.
The perfect harmony between pastoral and cultural activities within the cathedral itself has been recognized internationally by UNESCO as an example of modern management committed to both facets of the daily life of the Cathedral of Seville.