Diego de Siloé, one of the architects of the Granada Cathedral

An artist who transformed the Renaissance in Granada

When talking about the great religious monuments of Spain, the Cathedral of Granada stands out not only for its majesty, but also for being one of the first examples of the Renaissance in the country. At the heart of this monumental work is an essential figure: Diego de Siloé, one of the architects who marked the history of Granada forever.

In this article you will learn in depth about the importance of Diego de Siloé in the construction of Granada Cathedral, his artistic legacy and his role as a renovator of religious architecture in the 16th century. If you want to see his work up close, remember that you can do so through ticketsgranadacristiana.com, where you can buy tickets for this and other monuments.

Who was Diego de Siloé?

A master of the Spanish Renaissance

Diego de Siloé was born in Burgos around 1495. The son of the sculptor Gil de Siloé, he inherited his father's passion for art, although it was in Italy that he completed his training. There he came into contact with Renaissance forms and techniques, which he masterfully adapted to the Spanish context.

Throughout his career, he worked in numerous cities, but it was in Granada where he left his deepest mark. Architect, sculptor and master builder, he was a complete and multifaceted artist who masterfully blended Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar styles.

Diego de Siloé and Granada Cathedral

He took on the project for a new cathedral

After the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, Granada needed a new temple in keeping with the power of the monarchy and the Christian project of urban renewal. The Cathedral had been begun by Enrique Egas in Gothic style, but in 1528, Diego de Siloé was appointed chief architect and proposed a radical change: to reinterpret the project under Renaissance principles.

Architecture of Granada Cathedral according to Diego de Siloé

Siloé kept the Gothic foundations, but designed a completely new structure with a basilica plan, monumental Corinthian pillars, wide naves and a very characteristic vertical elevation. This decision marked a turning point in Spanish religious architecture.

The Capilla Mayor, for example, is one of the best examples of the decorative richness it introduced. Its geometric forms, zenithal light and classical order are essential characteristics of Diego de Siloé's architectural style.

Works by Diego de Siloé in Granada

Beyond the Cathedral

Although his most famous work is in the Cathedral, he also intervened in other buildings in Granada, such as the Church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo, considered one of his first major works. There he designed a church with a Latin cross plan and an imposing central cubic space.

His participation in the Cartuja Monastery is also notable, although in a more limited way, influencing the general design of its spaces.

Thanks to his vision, Granada became an artistic benchmark of the Renaissance in southern Spain.

Diego de Siloé's architectural style

A fusion of tradition and modernity

Diego de Siloé's style is the result of a harmonious blend of late Gothic, Italian Renaissance and Mudejar elements. This ability to integrate different traditions is one of the reasons why his work is still so highly valued today.

Of particular note is the use of classical columns, domes that distribute light in a symbolic way, and the application of mathematical proportions that reflect the order of the universe, in line with the humanist ideals of the time.

The legacy of Diego de Siloé in Granada Cathedral

A work that survives five centuries later

Diego de Siloé's influence extends beyond his own time. His work in Granada Cathedral set the course for religious architecture in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries. Thanks to him, Granada is home to one of the most important Renaissance temples in the country.

Today, every year thousands of visitors admire the monumentality of its spaces, the harmony of its forms and the spirituality that emanates from its design. If you also want to live this experience, remember that you can buy your tickets at ticketsgranadacristiana.com, with free or guided tour options.

Why visit Granada Cathedral and learn about Diego de Siloé?

To get to know the figure of Diego de Siloé in the Cathedral of Granada is to get a glimpse of the soul of the Renaissance in Spain. His work summarises the search for beauty, harmony and faith, and his legacy lives on in every arch, column and chapel of the Granada temple.

To visit the Cathedral is not just to enter a monument; it is to travel through the history of a city and admire the genius of a man who transformed the way the sacred space was built.

Book your ticket and discover the immortal legacy of Diego de Siloé in Granada Cathedral.