The main arch of Granada Cathedral

The Main Chapel of the Cathedral of Granada is connected to the central nave through its splendid main arch, establishing itself as one of the most outstanding elements of the temple. For this reason, you should know everything about the architecture and iconography of the main arch of the Cathedral of Granada.

Would you like to find out all the facts about the main arch of the Cathedral of Granada? Stay and read our article, we will show you everything you need to know below!

Architecture of the main arch

The main arch of Granada Cathedral is a masterpiece by Diego de Siloé and is approximately 32.5 metres high and 12 metres wide. It is an impressive triumphal arch that underlines and preludes the circular movement of the outline of the chapel.

This arch is a stereometric feat, with a progressive tapering of the soffit towards the keystone of the arch that naturally harmonises with the interior curvature of the chapel. The whole ensemble is thus in keeping with the vivacity of the curvilinear expressions.

Iconography of the toral arch

The four elements that make up the main arch of Granada Cathedral refer us to the beginnings of the human family and the origins of the Church in Spain and in Granada. We will now explain in depth all the details of its iconography!

Adam and Eve

On the jambs of the main arch we can see the busts of Adam and Eve placed on the siloesque circular tondos decorated with grotesques. Their authorship belongs to Alonso Cano and they were polychromed by Juan Vélez de Ulloa.

The emphasis on the gazes of Adam and Eve in this pair of sculptures is striking, recalling the insistence of the story of the fall: ‘In the day that you eat of the fruit, your eyes will be opened’. It should also be noted that both busts rest on pedestals of canesque leaf litter made by Juan Puche.

St. James and St. Cecilius

On the other hand, in the attic on which the main arch rests, we can find two paintings by José Risueño from Granada that repeat a frequent theme in the church: St. James, patron saint of Spain, and St. Cecilius, patron saint of Granada

Both appear, together with Jesus and with the cathedral in the background, in an intaglio from around 1624 in which Christ cures the blindness of Saint Cecilius and restores speech to Saint Thesiphon in the presence of Saint James. Also, in the interior spandrels of the arch we can see reliefs of angels with Plateresque ornaments and the date 1552.

Why visit Granada Cathedral?

As you have seen throughout this article about the main arch of the Cathedral of Granada, within this site we find multiple works of art regarding architecture, painting and sculpture, making it an essential place to visit in the city of Granada.

If you would like to visit this monument, do not hesitate to buy your tickets to the Cathedral of Granada on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada. 

Enjoy the beauty and history of this temple!